Air Fryer Broccoli Fast Crispy Wellplated Com

Deeply charred and ultra crispy, this is broccoli at its most addictive. The way we were chowing down on it reminded me of the way I felt the first time we tried Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts and Air Fryer Cauliflower. How can a vegetable taste THIS GOOD?! Thanks to the air fryer’s high-powered convection fan, it makes the food you cook in it—like Air Fryer Zucchini—wicked crispy in a fraction of the time. This mega crisp power makes the air fryer an excellent way to create healthy versions of deep-fried favorites, Air Fryer French Fries, Air Fryer Potato Chips, and Air Fryer Tofu being primo examples. I’ve been working my way through our healthy side dish repertoire, trying each recipe out in the air fryer instead of the oven. This full list of air fryer recipes includes everything we’ve tried so far, plus yummy main dishes too. For a long time, I relied on Grilled Broccoli for its ease and signature flavor. Because of this, I hadn’t quite gotten around to trying broccoli in the air fryer yet. But that changed the day I overheard a woman speaking with a passion—a passion one typically does not associate with vegetables—about how incredible it tastes. “Broccoli in the air fryer is SO GOOD!” she clamored. “The kids couldn’t stop eating it!” Excited Air Fryer Broccoli Lady, you were so very right. The air-fried broccoli hardly made it to our plates—we inhaled most of it right out of the air fryer basket!

How to Cook Air Fryer Broccoli

Cooking perfect broccoli in the air fryer is quick, easy, and versatile! Since the air fryer uses a high temperature, it’s perfect for crispy cooking. Be sure to cook in batches and keep the florets in a single layer so the air can circulate. The only hurdle is figuring out how to make the broccoli insides tender before the outsides burned. The air fryer roasts the broccoli so quickly, my first few batches were black outside but still hard inside. The answer: add water to the air fryer to help the broccoli steam as it cooks. Taa-daa! Water is how you keep broccoli from burning in your air fryer.

You do not need to steam broccoli before air frying. Rather, add a few tablespoons of water to the air fryer prior to cooking. As the water evaporates, it will help the broccoli soften a little.Chop the broccoli florets SMALL (think broccoli bites). This will give the insides a chance to tenderize before the outsides completely char.

The Ingredients

Broccoli. We’re going for crispy air fryer broccoli here! High in fiber, packed with vitamins, and low carb, broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse. Air frying is a healthy way to enjoy its nutrients and make it outrageously addictive.

Olive Oil. While you can make air fryer broccoli with no oil, I find that the broccoli doesn’t caramelize quite as nicely, nor does it taste as satisfying. Fortunately, you only need a small amount of olive oil to ensure it cooks properly in the air fryer.Seasonings. Salt and pepper are the classic. I also like to add garlic powder for a little extra zip. Bonus: garlic powder won’t burn in the air fryer.Toppings! This broccoli is tasty just as it is, but there’s still room to gussy it up a bit to make it extra special. See below for topping ideas.

The Directions

Toppings and Variations

Air Fryer Broccoli Parmesan. Sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan over the broccoli after air frying.Air Fryer Broccoli and Cheese. While the broccoli is hot, sprinkle on a few handfuls of a melty cheese, such as cheddar or gruyere.Lemony Air Fryer Broccoli. Top the cooked broccoli with grated lemon zest and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.Spicy Air Fryer Broccoli. After the broccoli is cooked, toss it with a pinch of red pepper flakes.Balsamic Air Fryer Broccoli. Drizzle the cooked broccoli with balsamic glaze or aged balsamic vinegar.Asian Air Fryer Broccoli. Toss the cooked broccoli with the teriyaki sauce from my Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry recipe.Air Fryer Broccoli and Potatoes. For the perfect air fryer veggie combo, pair this broccoli with Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries or an Air Fryer Baked Potato.

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate the broccoli in an airtight storage container for up to 5 days.To Reheat. Rewarm the leftovers in the air fryer or on a baking sheet in a regular oven at 350 degrees F.To Freeze. While the broccoli will become mushy when frozen, it can be done! Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Air Fryer. This is the model I own and love.Measuring Spoons. Easy to use and store magnetic measuring spoons.Good Quality Chef’s Knife. One of my most loved kitchen tools.

Tell everyone you know!

Add the frozen broccoli florets to the air fryer at 400 degrees F and air fry for 5 minutes (this will allow the broccoli to thaw a bit and the seasonings to stick).Remove the florets to a mixing bowl and toss them with the oil and seasonings. Return to the air fryer and cook 6 to 10 additional minutes, tossing a few times throughout, until it is crisped to your liking.