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.
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.
If you love roasted broccoli try adding it to my Chicken Alfredo recipe. For daily recipe inspiration follow Picky Palate on Instagram.
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.
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.
3. 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.
How Long To Cook Broccoli In Air Fryer
4. 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.
5. Place Broccoli Into Air Fryer. Add broccoli florets to the air fryer basket keeping the broccoli in a single layer.
6. Cook. Close air fryer and cook at 400 degrees F. for 6-8 minutes. Broccoli should be a little crisp yet tender.
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.
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.
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
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets– Juicy and tender!
- Air Fryer Steak Bites– Flavorful bites!
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes– Quick potatoes!
- Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs– Easy to peel!
The BEST Air Fryer Broccoli
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
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