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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    How to Cook Broccoli in the Air Fryer

    First Published: February 21, 2023 . Last Modified: January 4, 2025 lisaNo Comments This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    If you love roasted vegetables that are tender with crispy, caramelized edges, you will love this air fryer broccoli. Full of flavor and easy to prepare, learn how to cook broccoli in the air fryer in less than 20 minutes for a simple side dish that goes with almost any meal.

    A fork pierces a tender broccoli floret with caramelized edges.

    I've been making blanched broccoli for stir frys, casseroles or seasoned to serve as a side dish for years. It's a handy method to know but I really love the flavor of roasted broccoli. It's warm, nutty and both tender and crisp at the same time.

    Roasted broccoli pairs perfectly with almost any main dish but it takes a while to cook. If I'm already using my oven, it can take a fair amount of juggling to roast broccoli and have it cooked perfectly when I'm ready to serve the meal.

    Thankfully, air fryer broccoli is so easy, cooks quickly and has all the qualities of roasted broccoli without taking up space in the oven. The air fryer is perfect for cooking broccoli florets and it's just another excellent use of your air fryer.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients needed for air fryer broccoli.
    • Broccoli – Look for 2 medium-sized fresh broccoli crowns.
    • Olive Oil – You can use something a little bolder in flavor like EVOO or use your favorite light, neutral-flavored oil.
    • Salt and Pepper – Season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
    • Seasonings – Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, powdered ranch or your favorite seasonings add a lovely boost of flavor.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    1. Break or cut the broccoli crowns into bite-size pieces. Place them in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle the broccoli with the oil and sprinkle with seasonings. Toss the broccoli around so it gets a nice even coating.
    2. Put the broccoli in the air fryer basket or rack and spread it out evenly. Cook at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Give the basket a good shake or turn broccoli if using an air fryer with racks. Cook for another 8 -10 minutes or until desired tenderness is achieved. Cool slightly before serving.

    Hint: For tender broccoli, cut the broccoli florets into small, even-sized pieces.

    Broccoli florets in an air fryer basket.

    Variations/ Substitutions

    • Make It Cheesy - Sprinkle the broccoli with grated Parmesan cheese for the last few minutes of cooking.
    • Swap the Seasoning - Season the broccoli with your favorite herbs, spices and seasoning blends to pair the flavor with your favorite main dish. Seasoned salt, cajun seasoning, Greek seasoning, etc. are all great options.
    • Use Cauliflower – You can make this same recipe using cauliflower or a blend of broccoli and cauliflower.
    • Low Sodium – You can reduce or eliminate the salt for a low sodium diet.
    • Kid-Friendly – Serve with a dip such as ranch dressing to entice those picky eaters to try a few bites.

    Storage/ Leftovers

    Leftover air fryer broccoli can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes until warm and crispy.

    You can freeze broccoli in a freezer bag for about 6 weeks. The texture will not be as crisp and the broccoli may become mushy. While not ideal as a stand alone side dish, it is perfect for adding to your favorite recipes.

    Leftovers broccoli can be added to omelets, pasta, salads, soups, casseroles, stirfry and more.

    A bowl of air fryer broccoli ready to be served.

    Top tip

    • Cut or tear the broccoli into mini florets. Aim for pieces that are similar in size.
    • Toss the broccoli with the seasoning rather than sprinkling it. This will help to get the seasoning incorporated into all parts of the broccoli.
    • If you want a garlicky flavor, used powdered garlic as fresh garlic will have a tendency to burn.
    • Overcrowding the air fryer can lead to soggy broccoli.
    • Adding 1 tablespoon of water to the bottom of your air fryer will help the broccoli to get nice and tender.
    • Season the broccoli however you wish. You can even cook the broccoli plain if you prefer however a little bit of olive oil will help you to get crispy edges.
    • Shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking time.
    • Air fryer cooking times are approximate and can vary based on your model. You can increase or decrease the cooking time based on your preferences.
    • Add a little bit of lemon juice for a bright flavor.

    Serving Suggestions

    Air fryer roasted broccoli is the perfect side dish for almost any meal. You can also add this broccoli to a salad, toss it with a pasta dish like Vegetarian Penne Pasta or Pasta with White Beans and Kale or use it as a topping on Healthy Pizza.

    Serve air fryer broccoli with one of these dishes for a complete dinner.

    • Easy Pan Fried Chicken Tenders
    • Lemon Herb Roasted Cornish Hens
    • Broiled Sweet Chili Lime Salmon

    More Air Fryer Side Dishes

    • Air Fryer Baby Carrots with Honey Butter
    • Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes
    • Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans

    FAQ

    Can I use frozen broccoli?

    You can make this recipe with frozen broccoli that has been thawed. However, due to the high amount of moisture, the edges of the broccoli will not get as crispy as when using fresh broccoli.

    Do you need to steam broccoli before air frying?

    Steaming broccoli will cause it to become very mushy in the air fryer. If you prefer your broccoli on the tender side, add a tablespoon of water to the bottom of your air fryer basket. This will allow the broccoli to steam a little as it roasts so you get tender florets with crispy, nutty edges.

    Can I use pre-cut broccoli?

    Purchasing pre-cut broccoli in a bag or from the fresh bar at the grocery store is a great shortcut. Just be sure that the broccoli is fresh and use it right away or it will begin to wilt.

    A bowl of air fryer broccoli with text overlay for social media.

    If you like this how to cook broccoli in the air fryer recipe, please leave a 5-star rating.

    RECIPE

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    5 from 1 vote

    Air Fryer Broccoli

    Air Fryer broccoli is tender with crispy edges and perfect to serve as a side dish.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 106kcal
    Cost: $3

    Equipment

    • air fryer

    Ingredients

    • 2 fresh broccoli crowns
    • 1 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • optional seasonings (see notes)

    Instructions

    • Break or cut the broccoli crowns into bite size pieces. Place them in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle the broccoli with the oil and sprinkle with seasonings. Toss the broccoli around so it gets a nice even coatoing.
    • Put the broccoli in the air fryer basket or rack and spread out evenly. Cook at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Give the basket a good shake or turn broccoli if using an air fryer with racks. Cook for another 8 -10 minutes or until desired tenderness is achieved. Cool slightly before serving.

    Notes

    Seasoning suggestions:
    1 teaspoon garlic powder
    1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    1 tablespoon powdered ranch dressing 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 106kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Sodium: 682mg | Potassium: 964mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1895IU | Vitamin C: 271mg | Calcium: 144mg | Iron: 2mg

    Thanks for stopping by! Subscribe to Jersey Girl Cooks if you would like more recipes and cooking tips sent to your email. You can also order my Super Easy Cookbook for Beginners and follow me on social media - Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

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    Hi, I'm Lisa

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