Air Fryer Broccoli
on Jan 29, 2024, Updated Mar 09, 2024
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This Air Fryer Broccoli is charred, crispy, and perfectly seasoned! In less than 20 minutes, you can have a beautifully cooked side dish ready for any meal!
If you are looking for the perfect hassle-free side dish for any meal then this air fryer broccoli is for you! I can always rely on this broccoli to be crispy and full of flavor.
One of my favorite things about this broccoli is being able to switch up the flavors. Adding some red pepper flakes is the best way to add heat, or sprinkle lemon juice on top to add a zesty and tangy flavor! No matter what flavors you add to your air fryer broccoli, the florets will soak up all that delicious flavor as they cook to perfection.
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
- Broccoli— Freshly chopped or frozen florets.
- Olive Oil— Acts as a coating that will help the broccoli cook and crisp up.
- Salt and Pepper—To taste.
- Salted Butter— Is optional, but adds an extra bit of flavor to the air fried broccoli.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Reasons I Love This Recipe:
- The broccoli is flavorful, tender, and crunchy.
- It takes less time than steaming your broccoli.
- It is kid friendly and easy to customize with a variety of spices.
How to Make Air Fryer Broccoli
Step #1. Preheat your air fryer and gather all of the needed ingredients.
Step #2. While the air fryer is preheating, add the broccoli to a large bowl with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and melted butter. Ensure the broccoli is evenly coated.
Step #3. Transfer the broccoli to the air fryer basket and cook until crispy.
Step #4. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
The olive oil is crucial in getting tender yet crunchy broccoli. In addition to olive oil, you can also use vegetable oil or coconut oil. The key is to use a high heat oil that will evenly coat your chopped broccoli. Another measure you can take is to not overcrowd your air fryer, as this will steam your broccoli rather than cook it. If you are working with a large mount of broccoli then it will be best to cook it in batches.
Yes! If your grocery store is out of fresh broccoli, you can use frozen florets! It cooks just as well as fresh broccoli, but be aware that it may not get as crispy. You will want to let your frozen broccoli thaw in the fridge before cooking it, so plan accordingly.
The possibilities are limitless! We like topping our broccoli with some freshly grated parmesan cheese for a sharp, savory flavor. You can also use lemon juice or lemon pepper seasoning for a zesty, tangy flavor. Other spices you can use to coat your broccoli include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, and red pepper flakes.
Expert Tips
- The seasoning on this broccoli is very basic so that you can customize the flavor with ease! Some spices that go great with air fryer broccoli include lemon pepper seasoning, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and garlic salt. Find what flavors you like best!
- It’s a good idea to shake the air fryer halfway through cooking to ensure that they all cook evenly!
- You can switch out the olive oil for coconut oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil. You can also use fat for extra flavor. Leftover bacon fat adds some incredible flavor to this broccoli!
- I love to add Parmesan cheese onto my broccoli before I cook it to add a little extra crisp and cheesy taste!
- Make sure that your pieces of broccoli are not too big when you are chopping them. If they are small and bite sized, it will be easier for them to cook to crispy perfection and for you to eat them!
How to Serve and Store Air Fryer Broccoli
Broccoli is one of those vegetables that pairs perfectly with any meal, and elevates every dish. You can serve this with easy garlic shrimp, air fryer steak, teriyaki bowl with chicken, or grilled chicken with ranch! I do not recommend storing any leftover broccoli because it will get a bit mushy when reheated.
The air fryer gives the broccoli a nice char and slight crunch that will go away when you reheat it. With that being said, if you are okay with leftover broccoli not tasting the same as it did straight from the air fryer then you can store your broccoli in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat your broccoli in the microwave for about 45 seconds.
How to Make Broccoli in the Oven
If you do not have an air fryer, you can achieve a similar result by making this broccoli in the oven! The process to prepare the broccoli will be the exact same, but you will want to make sure that you spread the broccoli out on a baking sheet in one layer before placing it in the oven. Cook at 450°F for 12-15 minutes or until the broccoli is crispy, serve and enjoy!
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Air Fryer Broccoli
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh broccoli, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 370.
- While the air fryer is preheating, add the broccoli to a large bowl with the olive oil and fold the ingredients together. Ensure that the broccoli is evenly coated in oil.
- Transfer the broccoli to the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes at 370.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- This broccoli is best served fresh. I don’t recommend storing your leftovers because the broccoli will get a little mushy when reheated. Using the air fryer gives the broccoli a nice char and slight crunch that will go away when you reheat the broccoli.
- We like to keep the seasoning on this broccoli pretty basic to make customizing the flavor easy. Some spices that go great with air fryer broccoli include lemon pepper seasoning, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and garlic salt.
- You can switch out the olive oil for coconut oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil. You can also use fat for some extra flavor. Leftover bacon fat adds some great flavor to this broccoli.
- If your local grocery store is out of fresh broccoli then you can use frozen broccoli florets. You will want to let your frozen broccoli thaw in the fridge before you use it.
- The butter is optional, but we love the richness it adds to this broccoli.
