Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 15 mins
Servings: 4
Yield: 2 cups
I take back all the mean things I said about air fryers before I owned one. Initially, I believed they were bulky and overhyped, but having now experienced how convenient they are, I can't imagine my life without one. Take, for example, these broccoli florets. With an air fryer, they’re ready in 15 minutes and achieve a delightful crispiness. If you were using an oven to do the same thing, it would still be preheating.
How To Cook Broccoli in the Air Fryer
For best results, lay the cut broccoli in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd your basket or the broccoli will end up being soft from steaming instead of getting crisp. Air fry in a few batches if you need to. If an air fryer isn't available, you can achieve similar results by roasting the broccoli in the oven at 425 F or at 400 F with the convection fan on.
Serving Air Fryer Broccoli
Broccoli effortlessly complements a variety of dishes, making it a versatile addition to any meal. Pair it with proteins like grilled chicken, seared salmon, cast-iron steak, or baked tofu for a satisfying combination. Incorporate it into grain bowls with quinoa, rice, or couscous for added texture and nutrition. Get creative and experiment with different sauce flavors like teriyaki or garlic-parmesan to elevate the dish even further.
Recipe Tips
- Cut the broccoli evenly—Try to cut broccoli into similar-sized pieces, so they cook evenly.
- Don’t forget the stalks!—They are often neglected or just discarded. Peel thick stalks with a vegetable peeler to remove the outer fibrous layer.
- Balance the flavors—Charring the broccoli also adds bitterness; dressing the broccoli with something sweet or acidic, like lemon juice, golden raisins, or hot honey, will balance out the flavors and keep you going back for more.
Ingredients
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12 ounces broccoli heads
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1/4 teaspoon fine salt
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1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients. Preheat an air fryer to 365 F for 4 minutes.
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Cut 12 ounces broccoli heads into 1- to 1 1/2-inch florets and slice thick stalks into 1/4-inch-thick slices (about 5 cups).
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Transfer broccoli to a large bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon fine salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Add the broccoli to the preheated air fryer basket.
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Cook, stirring halfway through, until charred and tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
How to Store
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For the best texture, reheat them in the air fryer.
Recipe Variations
- Lemon-Shallot—Let 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots sit in 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice while the broccoli cooks. Drizzle it over cooked broccoli.
- Smoked Paprika-Almond—Toss the raw broccoli with 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika and cook as directed. Then sprinkle with 1/4 cup coarsely chopped roasted, salted almonds and 1/4 cup golden raisins.
- Soy-Ginger—Whisk together 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon chili crisp, 1 1/2 teaspoons honey, and 3/4 teaspoon grated fresh ginger in a small bowl. Drizzle over the cooked broccoli.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 4 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 60 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 4g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat 1g | 3% |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 167mg | 7% |
| Total Carbohydrate 6g | 2% |
| Dietary Fiber 3g | 10% |
| Total Sugars 1g | |
| Protein 2g | |
| Vitamin C 55mg | 276% |
| Calcium 35mg | 3% |
| Iron 1mg | 3% |
| Potassium 251mg | 5% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
