The BEST Air Fryer Broccoli

Crispy seasoned Air Fryer Broccoli is made perfectly in just minutes! You get crispy edges and tender seasoned broccoli in more than half the time it takes to roast broccoli in the oven.

If you love roasted broccoli try adding it to my Chicken Alfredo recipe.

close up of air fryer broccoli in a serving bowl

Broccoli In Air Fryer

If you haven’t made broccoli in an air fryer yet, it’s about to change your life. Ok, maybe a little dramatic, but in 6-8 minutes you get the most perfect crispy yet tender broccoli ready for dinner! Not only is it quick to prepare and make, it’s a healthier option as it takes just a little bit of oil to prepare.

Why I Love This Recipe

  • Quick To Cook. I love making broccoli in the air fryer because it cooks so fast.
  • Crisp! When making broccoli in the air fryer, you get an incredible crisp broccoli that is unbeatable.
  • Perfect Side Dish. Broccoli makes the perfect side dish for just about any meal.

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ingredients for air fryer broccoli on counter top

Ingredients Needed To Make The Best Broccoli

Let’s take a look at the ingredients you’ll need to make perfect crispy “oven roasted” style broccoli right in the air fryer.

  • Broccoli Florets– Use fresh broccoli for best results. Use a head of broccoli to cut into florets yourself or use a bag of broccoli florets as I have shown in the photo above.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil– You’ll use olive oil to drizzle over the broccoli florets.
  • Salt– I use kosher salt which is a coarse salt.
  • Pepper– For best results use freshly ground black pepper.
  • Garlic Salt- If you can find Lawry’s Garlic Salt, it’s one of the best.
  • Water- You will add a tablespoon and a half to the bottom of the air fryer before cooking broccoli. This keeps the broccoli tender and prevents too much crisp.
  • Parmesan Cheese– Completely optional, but I sprinkle Parmesan Cheese over the hot broccoli right when it comes out of the air fryer.
broccoli florets in large mixing bowl

How To Make Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe

Preheat Air Fryer. Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F.

Transfer Broccoli To Large Mixing Bowl. Remove broccoli florets from bag and place florets into a large mixing bowl. If there are really large florets, use a chef knife to cut them so that most pieces are close to the same size.

    Drizzle Broccoli With Olive Oil and Seasonings. Drizzle bowl of broccoli florets with extra virgin olive oil then season with salt, pepper and garlic salt. Use a large spoon and stir to combine everything.

    uncooked broccoli seasoned placed in basket of air fryer

    How Long To Cook Broccoli In Air Fryer

    Add Water To Bottom of Air Fryer. Before adding the broccoli florets to the air fryer basket, add 1 1/2 tablespoons of water to the bottom of the air fryer. This helps prevent too much crisp and keeps the broccoli nice and tender.

    Place Broccoli Into Air Fryer. Add broccoli florets to the air fryer basket keeping the broccoli in a single layer.

    Cook. Close air fryer and cook at 400 degrees F. for 6-8 minutes. Broccoli should be a little crisp yet tender.

    cooked broccoli in basket of air fryer

    Tada!! When I tell you it’s the best “roasted” style broccoli I’ve had, I am not kidding. Takes just minutes to cook and it’s perfect as a side dish or add it to another recipe!

    Pro Tips To Make The Best Air Fryer Broccoli

    Let’s go through some tips to help make the perfect broccoli in the air fryer.

    • Cut Broccoli Florets Same Size. Whether you’re using bagged broccoli florets or a head of broccoli you cut yourself, try to cut broccoli so they’re close to the same size. This helps the broccoli to cook evenly. There will be some tiny pieces when using the bagged broccoli, don’t worry about those. They toast up nicely anyway.
    • Use a Large Mixing Bowl. When adding olive oil and seasonings to broccoli use a large mixing bowl so you can properly stir all pieces together. This gives each floret great flavor.
    • Don’t Forget To Add Water To Air Fryer. Very important note- Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of water to bottom of air fryer before adding broccoli to air fryer basket. This prevents too much crisp or burn and keeps broccoli tender.
    • Preheat Air Fryer. Most air fryers take just a few minutes to preheat. For best results preheat your air fryer before cooking the broccoli florets.
    • Use Fresh Broccoli. For best results use fresh broccoli. Frozen broccoli has much more moisture which will give a much different outcome.
    air fryer broccoli in a serving bowl

    How to Serve Air Fryer Broccoli

    Top With Parmesan Cheese! As soon as I pull my broccoli out of the air fryer, I top it with shredded Parmesan Cheese. It’s so delicious! Serve your broccoli as a side dish on its own or add to pastas and rice dishes. Lots of options when it comes to air fryer broccoli.

    air fryer broccoli in a serving bowl

    Storage Instructions

    • Refrigerating. Store any leftover broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
    • Freezing. You can freeze leftover broccoli in an airtight container for up to 3 months, however I don’t recommend. Broccoli tends to get mushy during reheating.
    • Reheating. For best reheating results, place broccoli back into the air fryer at 400 degrees F. for 2-3 minutes. It will crisp back up. No need to add water to bottom of air fryer to reheat.

    Try More Air Fryer Recipes

    close up of air fryer broccoli in a serving bowl

    The BEST Air Fryer Broccoli

    Crispy seasoned Air Fryer Broccoli is made perfectly in just minutes! You get crispy edges and tender seasoned broccoli in more than half the time it takes to roast broccoli in the oven. 
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 8 minutes
    Total Time 13 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 137kcal
    Author: Jenny
    Cost: $20
    Print Pin

    Equipment

    • air fryer
    • chef knife
    • cutting board
    • large mixing bowl
    • large spoon
    • tongs to remove broccoli from air fryer

    Ingredients

    • 12 ounces broccoli florets
    • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • 1/4 teaspoon Lawry’s Garlic Salt
    • 3 tablespoons Shredded Parmesan Cheese

    Instructions

    • Preheat Air Fryer. Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F.
    • Transfer Broccoli To Large Mixing Bowl. Remove broccoli florets from bag and place florets into a large mixing bowl. If there are really large florets, use a chef knife to cut them so that most pieces are close to the same size.
    • Drizzle Broccoli With Olive Oil and Seasonings. Drizzle bowl of broccoli florets with extra virgin olive oil then season with salt, pepper and garlic salt. Use a large spoon and stir to combine everything.
    • Add Water To Bottom of Air Fryer. Before adding the broccoli florets to the air fryer basket, add 1 1/2 tablespoons of water to the bottom of the air fryer. This helps prevent too much crisp and keeps the broccoli nice and tender.
    • Place Broccoli Into Air Fryer. Add broccoli florets to the air fryer basket keeping the broccoli in a single layer.
    • Cook. Close air fryer and cook at 400 degrees F. for 6-8 minutes. Broccoli should be a little crisp yet tender.

    Video

    Notes

    • Cut Broccoli Florets Same Size. Whether you’re using bagged broccoli florets or a head of broccoli you cut yourself, try to cut broccoli so they’re close to the same size. This helps the broccoli to cook evenly. There will be some tiny pieces when using the bagged broccoli, don’t worry about those. They toast up nicely anyway.
    • Use a Large Mixing Bowl. When adding olive oil and seasonings to broccoli use a large mixing bowl so you can properly stir all pieces together. This gives each floret great flavor.
    • Don’t Forget To Add Water To Air Fryer. Very important note- Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of water to bottom of air fryer before adding broccoli to air fryer basket. This prevents too much crisp or burn and keeps broccoli tender.
    • Preheat Air Fryer. Most air fryers take just a few minutes to preheat. For best results preheat your air fryer before cooking the broccoli florets.
    • Use Fresh Broccoli. For best results use fresh broccoli. Frozen broccoli has much more moisture which will give a much different outcome.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 379mg | Potassium: 276mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 561IU | Vitamin C: 76mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 1mg
    Keywords: air fryer broccoli, broccoli air fryer, broccoli in air fryer
    photo collage of air fryer broccoli recipe

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