Need a healthy and delicious side dish for dinner tonight? Try this recipe for air fryer broccoli! Roasting broccoli in the air fryer creates so much flavor compared to steaming or sautéing it on the stove. Plus, this recipe only takes a few minutes until it is ready for your family to enjoy. Honestly, this is the only way my kids will eat broccoli so I made it all the time!
Why I Love This Recipe
Simply, the air fryer is my kids favorite kitchen appliance. Around here, my kids do most of the cooking and they will always reach for the air fryer first. I totally get it. An air fryer requires no preheating. You set it and walk away until the food is done. And for my younger kids, it isn’t as intimidating as using the gas range or hot oven. Yes, even when cooking something as non-kid-friendly as broccoli!
To help them learn to make more dishes on their own, I’ve been working on creating easy air fryer recipes that they will love making on their own. And since I always require a veggie or salad as a side when they are cooking, I knew they would love this air fryer broccoli. Especially with some fresh Parmesan cheese grated over the top!
Air Fryer Broccoli Ingredients and Tools
- Large head of broccoli
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Air fryer
How to Make Air Fryer Broccoli
If you have a few minutes of time, the best broccoli of your life is possible inside your air fryer!
Time needed: 10 minutes
How to Make Air Fryer Broccoli
- Cut the head of broccoli into small florets
It is important the pieces are kept small so the piece of broccoli cooks before the florets get too dark.
- Season the broccoli florets
Use extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper for the perfect results.
- Cook the broccoli in the air fryer
For a 1500-watt air fryer, it will take 10 minutes at 380 degrees. Adjust the cooking time up or down depending on the power level of your machine.
- Add freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Remove the cooked broccoli to your serving dish and add freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Serve immediately.
Air Fryer Broccoli FAQs
Because the florets on the broccoli are small and delicate compared to the stem, roasting broccoli in the air fryer will cause the florets to get some color on them. Remember that color doesn’t mean they are burnt, but yes you can burn them! Be sure to use a lower temperature on the air fryer and to shake the basket halfway through their cooking time to keep the broccoli from burning.
Yes, air fryer broccoli is very healthy. Remember, an air fryer is simply a small convection oven. Despite its name, there is nothing that “fries” your food inside an air fryer. This air fryer broccoli is only 75 calories for a generous serving and it is actually roasted, not fried.
Does this recipe work with frozen broccoli?
Yes, you can totally use frozen broccoli if that is what you have on hand. Keep the recipe the same as below, but add an additional 8-10 minutes to the second cook time.
What power level air fryer was used in this recipe?
Look at the sticker on the bottom of your air fryer to find the power level. This air fryer broccoli recipe was written for a 1500-watt air fryer set A 1300-watt machine will take an additional 3 to 5 minutes, and a 1700-watt machine will take 3 to 5 minutes less.
Which Air Fryer Do You Recommend?
If you are asking this important question, you are blown away with how many machines there are on the market right now! Here are my must-haves. First, a large volume basket is non-negotiable for me. When you have a higher volume air fryer you don’t have to make multiple batches of food.
Be sure you know the temperature range and power level of any air fryer you are buying. Most go up to 400 – 450 degrees but not all of them have a lower temperature range. Don’t consider any won’t go as low as 250 so you can make all types of recipes, like these Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs. Also, look at the power level. You’ll want the 1500-watt machines.
So which is best? I always recommend the COSORI 5 qt air fryer. I have two of them and they are amazing.
Recipe Variations
Personalization is the best perk of being a home cook. You get to take every recipe and make it just how your family likes it! Any of the following additions would be great spin-offs of this air fryer broccoli.
- Drizzle balsamic vinegar over the top of the roasted broccoli. I like to use a balsamic syrup because it adds both acidity and sweetness. You can also use plain balsamic vinegar but just add a few shakes over the top so it doesn’t overpower the flavor.
- Grate fresh parmesan cheese on top of the finished broccoli. And please, don’t use the pre-grated cheese or stuff in the green can. A simple Google search will tell you why.
- Add chopped bacon if you want both some protein and an extra boost of flavor. Add the already-cooked bacon pieces to the last 3 minutes in the air fryer.
- Add spice with a squeeze of your favorite hot sauce or some red pepper flakes mixed in with the oil and seasonings.
Looking For More Great Air Fryer Recipes?
If this air fryer broccoli made your veggie-loving heart happy, be sure to check out these other delicious recipes. Go grab them now or you’ll get distracted!
Air Fryer Broccoli
Perfectly roasted broccoli using your air fryer! Ready in 10 minutes and not only super healthy, but delicious as well.
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
1 large head of broccoli, cut into small pieces
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced (or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Add the cut broccoli to a bowl. Add the oil, lemon juice, garlic, kosher salt, and pepper. Mix to coat the florets completely.
- Place the broccoli in the basket of your air fryer. Cook at 380 degrees for 5 minutes.
- Remove and shake the basket to turn the florets over.
- Cook at 380 degrees for another 5 minutes.
- Transfer the broccoli to a serving dish and top with the Parmesan cheese.
Notes
This recipe was written using a 1500-watt air fryer. If yours is a different power level, you will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
For frozen broccoli, keep the recipe the same but increase the second cooking time to 8-10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4
- Calories: 75 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 162 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 1 mg
Keywords: Air fryer broccoli
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