I was pleasantly surprised by the taste of the garlic roasted air fryer broccoli. Unlike Brussels sprouts, this cruciferous vegetable doesn’t have any bitterness at all.
It’s a perfect combination of sweet, crunchy, earthy, nutty, and garlicky flavors, with a touch of zestiness from the freshly cut lemon wedges.
It makes for a delicious and healthy snack, especially when paired with a side of ranch dipping sauce. Additionally, it complements various dishes like fish, chicken, beef, or pork.
With just a handful of simple ingredients and your air fryer, you’ll have a delicious and nutritious side dish on the table faster than you can say “roasted to perfection.”
In this recipe, we not only give you the best way to cook broccoli in the air fryer, but we also give you 4 variations to suit any preference of broccoli doneness!
Let’s get cooking!
Table of Contents
Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli Ingredients
✦ You can find the exact measurements of the recipe ingredients and customize the serving size in the recipe card after the detailed step-by-step instructions section.
You barely need any ingredients to make the best air fryer broccoli!
- Broccoli
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
Another great ingredient to have on-hand is fresh lemon juice! Lemon and broccoli are a match made in heaven, so have a lemon on-hand if you want to finish your broccoli with some lemony brightness!
Recipe Video
How to Air Fry Broccoli?
Roasting broccoli in the air fryer couldn’t be easier. Seriously! In less than 10 minutes, you’ll have perfectly cooked broccoli ready for any meal (or to eat on its own)!
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC).
If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 400ºF (204ºC) and then let it cook for 5 minutes without food.
You may also skip this step by adding 2-3 minute increments to your cooking time or until you achieve your desired doneness and browning.
Step 2: Wash and chop the broccoli into bite-sized florets.
Thoroughly wash the broccoli heads and then carefully chop each head into bite-sized pieces.
Don’t throw out the stem! Peel off the tough outer layer of the broccoli stem and then chop the stem into small pieces. Then, put all the cut broccoli into a medium bowl.
Step 3: Season the broccoli florets.
To the bowl of broccoli, add olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Toss to evenly coat the broccoli in all the seasoning.
Step 4: Air fry broccoli for 5-6 minutes or until lightly browned.
When the air fryer is preheated, add the broccoli and air fry for 5-6 minutes, shaking halfway, until the broccoli is lightly crisped and tender.
✦ I used a 6-quart air fryer to test this recipe. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
Step 5: Serve air fried broccoli as the perfect side dish for any protein.
When the broccoli is done, transfer it to a plate and serve. If desired, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the top!
Broccoli is such a good, reliable side dish for any meal. Broccoli is loaded with fiber and vitamin C so increasing the amount of broccoli in your diet can only be a good thing!
One thing I really love with broccoli is omelets. Eggs and broccoli are so delicious together that I will often roast broccoli in the air fryer just to have it on-hand for breakfast time!
No matter how you eat it, enjoy your air-fried broccoli!
Freezing & Storage
Freezing: Allow the air fryer roasted broccoli to cool completely. Arrange in a single layer on a sheet tray and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the broccoli to a zip-top bag or airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm gently to reheat.
Fridge: Allow the broccoli to cool completely before packing it into an airtight container or zip-top bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.
Reheating: Broccoli can be quickly reheated in the microwave (30 sec) or the air fryer. To reheat in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400ºF, then add the broccoli and cook until heated-through, about 1-2 minutes.
Recommended Cooking Time & Temperature
Fresh broccoli, when cooked properly, are sweet, nutty, and complements any dish. Here are some suggested cooking time and temperature and tips to help you achieve the perfect air fryer roasted broccoli.
| Doneness | Temperature | Cooking Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al Dente | 400°F (204°C) | 5-6 minutes | N/A |
| Perfectly Roasted | 400°F (204°C) | 6-8 minutes | N/A |
| Soft & Tender | 400°F (204°C) | 5-6 minutes | Soak in warm tap water for 10 minutes before seasoning |
| Minimize Browning | 350°F (177°C) | 10-12 minutes | N/A |
Al Dente – For an al dente or crunchy texture, air fry for 5 to 6 minutes or until the Broccoli becomes slightly tender and lightly browned.
Perfectly Roasted – To make it more crispy, cook for another 2-3 minutes until the little broccoli heads deep golden brown. The extra crispiness and caramelization adds a depth of flavor to this already tasty side dish.
Soft & Tender – If you want your broccoli to be soft and tender, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes before seasoning and air frying.
Minimize Browning – Finally, if you want to minimize browning with your cruciferous vegetables, lower the heat to 350°F (177°C) and air fry them for 10-12 minutes.
Health Benefits of Broccoli
Regardless of whether it is fresh or frozen, broccoli provides a multitude of potential health benefits.
For starters, it is a great source of nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, fiber, and potassium. It is also a good source of plant-based protein and dietary fiber.
According to this study, broccoli may contain antioxidants, such as sulforaphane, which may help protect the body against damage from free radicals and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
The cruciferous vegetable may also contain anti-inflammatory properties according to this study.
Furthermore, broccoli may also reduce the risk of heart disease by helping to lower cholesterol levels and support healthy blood pressure. Here’s a Harvard article supporting that claim.
Some studies suggest that the compounds in broccoli may have anti-cancer properties. (Source #1, Source #2)
In short, broccoli is a tasty and nutritious vegetable that you can enjoy in many different ways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can air fry broccoli. Fresh broccoli will only take 5-6 minutes to roast in the air fryer. Frozen broccoli on the other hand will take twice as much time to cook.
To cook broccoli in the air fryer, first wash and slice the broccoli head into bite-sized pieces. Then preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Once preheated, add your broccoli florets in the air fryer and roast them for 5-6 minutes or until lightly browned and crispy.
A single layer of bite-sized broccoli will take 5-6 minutes to cook in the air fryer at 400°F (204°C). However, please note that cooking time may vary from air fryer to air fryer. A smaller air fryer will cook faster because of the proximity of the heating element to the air fryer basket.
To make air fryer roasted broccoli, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Then cook your broccoli for 5-6 minutes. If you want a deeper golden brown finish, add 2-4 minutes to your cooking time.
This ingredients checklist is interactive; you can use it as your grocery list.
Ingredients
- 2 heads broccoli 0.6 lb (.3 kg)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- â…› teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Wash and chop the broccoli into bite-sized florets.
- In a medium bowl, season the broccoli florets with olive oil, crushed garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss until they are evenly coated.
- Air fry broccoli florets for 5-6 minutes until crispy and lightly browned.
- Serve your air fryer roasted broccoli as a side dish to your chicken wings, roasted salmon, or any other protein. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
Notes
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and then let it cook for 4-5 minutes without food.
- You can also skip preheating by adding 2-3 minutes to your cooking time. Increment gradually, to prevent overcooking your cruciferous vegetable.
- Do not discard the stem, peel it, then once you get to the soft core, cut them into thin slices.
- Al Dente – To achieve an al dente or crunchy texture, air fry the broccoli for 5 to 6 minutes or until it becomes slightly tender and lightly browned.
- Roasted to Perfection – To achieve extra crispiness and a deeper flavor, cook the broccoli for an additional 2-3 minutes until the florets are a deep golden brown. This will enhance the natural sweetness and make this already delicious side dish even more irresistible.
- Soft & Tender – If you want your broccoli to be soft and tender, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes before seasoning and air frying.
- Minimize Browning – Finally, if you want to minimize browning with your cruciferous vegetables, lower the heat to 350°F (177°C) and air fry them for 10-12 minutes.
- I used a 6-quart Instant Pot Vortex Plus to test the air fryer broccoli recipe. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
Nutrition
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