To be honest, this is also my first time cooking this fascinating cruciferous vegetable.
See also: Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli, Air Fryer Roasted Asparagus
While it may not be a typical choice for a side dish, once you experience the flavors of this air fryer broccolini recipe, your perspective is bound to shift.
Since it’s slightly more expensive than broccoli, you might want to consider reserving this side dish for a special or fancy dinner.
It’s a fantastic alternative to asparagus.
In fact, it has a flavor reminiscent of asparagus with a sweeter profile than broccoli, and its stem is equally as tender as asparagus spears.
You’ll also be rewarded with crunchy florets when you roast it long enough.
✦ Fun Fact: Broccolini is also called aspabroc, baby broccoli or tenderstem broccoli. It’s a hybrid between broccoli and Chinese kale (gai lan).
To perfectly complement its flavors, roasting it with garlic, adding a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, and finishing it off with a refreshing squeeze of lemon would be an ideal choice.
Oh, before I forget, it’s worth mentioning that broccolini contains more vitamin A than broccoli, providing an additional health benefit.
But the best part is, it’s super easy to make. You only need 10 minutes or less!
Table of Contents
Air Fryer Broccolini 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.
Here’s all you need to make air fryer roasted broccolini.
- Broccolini
- Olive oil
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
The simple ingredients really allow the flavor of the broccolini to shine! Like we mentioned above, we also recommend grated Parmesan cheese as a way to further enhance the deliciousness!
Recipe Video
How to Cook Broccolini in the Air Fryer?
Preparing air fryer broccolini is incredibly quick and easy. From prepping the cruciferous vegetables to achieving a perfect roast, the entire process takes less than 10 minutes.
Step 1: Wash and trim the broccolini.
After washing the broccolini, cut about an inch from the base of the stem to remove any tough fibers, similar to what you would do with asparagus spears.
Step 2: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
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.
🚨 Important: Reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C) if you’re using a 4-quart air fryer or smaller. They are hotter due to the heating element being closer to the food.
Step 3: Season the broccolini.
In a large mixing bowl, begin by seasoning the broccolini with olive oil. Toss the broccolini until it is evenly coated with the oil.
Next, add salt, pepper, crushed garlic, and squeeze the juice from a halved lemon into the bowl. Mix everything well, ensuring that the flavors are thoroughly incorporated.
Step 4: Air fry broccolini for 5-6 minutes.
Air fry the broccolini for 5-6 minutes, or until it becomes tender and lightly browned.
To ensure even cooking, arrange the broccolini in a way that ensures both sides have the florets.
✦ 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 and enjoy your air fried broccolini!
Be sure to include lemon wedges when serving this air fryer broccolini. The bright and tangy zestiness of the lemon perfectly complements any cruciferous vegetable.
Optionally, you can also sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese for an extra burst of flavor.
Another really delicious and satisfying way to serve the roasted broccolini is with toasted breadcrumbs! While the broccolini is in the air fryer, simply add some plain panko breadcrumbs to a pan with a knob of butter and a sprinkle of salt.
Toast the breadcrumbs over low heat, stirring frequently to distribute the butter and prevent them from burning. When the breadcrumbs are golden, remove the pan from the heat and sprinkle over the freshly roasted broccolini. Finally, top with a little grated cheese and you’ve got a side dish that checks all the boxes!
With its high fiber and low calorie content, you can confidently add it to your list of go-to healthy vegetable side dishes.
Next time, we’re going to try parmesan crusted broccolini.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can air fry broccolini! Air frying is a great cooking method for broccolini as it helps to achieve a crispy texture while retaining its flavor and nutrients.
Air frying broccolini takes about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on your set temperature. However, I recommend checking on the broccolini periodically and adjusting the cooking time accordingly to achieve your preferred level of tenderness and browning.
To air fry broccolini, start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Next, prepare your vegetables by washing and trimming them. Season the broccolini with olive oil, salt, and pepper. If desired, you can also add lemon juice and Parmesan cheese for extra flavor. Finally, roast the broccolini in the air fryer for 5-8 minutes or until you achieve your desired level of browning and tenderness.
One cup (about 88 grams) of broccolini typically contains around 35 calories. However, please note that the calorie content may vary slightly depending on the added ingredients or cooking methods used.
This ingredients checklist is interactive; you can use it as your grocery list.
Ingredients
- ½ pound broccolini 2 bunches
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice from half of a small lemon
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Wash the broccolini thoroughly and trim off any tough ends or leaves. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Please see note if your air fryer is 4-quart or smaller.
- In a large mixing bowl, start by seasoning the broccolini with olive oil. Toss the broccolini until it is evenly coated with the olive oil. Next, add salt, pepper, crushed garlic, and squeeze the juice from a halved lemon into the bowl. Mix everything well, ensuring that the flavors are thoroughly incorporated.
- Air fry the broccolini for 5-6 minutes, or until tender and lightly browned. For even cooking, arrange the broccolini in a way that ensures both sides have the florets.
- Serve the air fryer broccolini immediately as a side dish or as part of a meal. If desired, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Recipe Video
Notes
- For smaller air fryers (4-quart and below), reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C). They generate more heat because of the heating element’s proximity to the food
- 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.
- Al Dente – To achieve an al dente or crunchy texture, air fry the broccolini 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 broccolini for an additional 2-3 minutes until the florets are a deep golden brown.
- Soft & Tender – If you want your broccolini 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 broccolini 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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