Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli

Delicious air fryer broccoli that can be made in under 10 minutes! This crispy veggie is perfectly roasted and pairs well with most summer dishes!

I love throwing veggies on the grill in the summer. It improves the flavor and makes the outside nice and crispy. But grilling year-round isn’t always realistic (or the best idea).

Standing outside in January isn’t something I enjoy doing. That’s where an air fryer can help. You can make that crispy air fryer broccoli by following a similar approach (without the grill).

The entire process is super easy. All it takes is a handful of seasoning and flipping halfway through – which helps the exterior get nice and evenly crispy.

Ingredients

  • Broccoli: Even though you can use frozen broccoli for this recipe, fresh will always taste better. All it takes is one large head of broccoli and a few minutes to cut them into florets.
  • Oil: Veggies covered with a small amount of olive oil can help the flavor and be healthy. Just remember that too much oil will make your air fried broccoli soggy.
  • Garlic: Sprinkling garlic powder on your broccoli will also improve the flavor. I like to use garlic powder in this recipe (instead of minced garlic), because it helps to evenly coat the vegetables.
  • Salt & Pepper: You can always add salt and pepper to taste in a recipe. In this case, these ingredients help with your broccoli’s texture and flavor.

Instructions

This crispy air fryer broccoli is quick and easy to make. You can scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here’s an overview of the general steps:

Start off by using a knife to cut your broccoli into florets. Creating more florets will yield smaller pieces and less florets will yield larger pieces of broccoli.

It all depends on your personal preference. Just keep in mind that larger pieces of broccoli will take longer to cook. Next, place the florets into a colander and rinse thoroughly under cold water.

Drain any excess water and transfer the florets into a large mixing bowl. Then add olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Use a spoon to stir the broccoli around and make sure to coat all the pieces.

Set your air fryer to 375° F and cook for 8-10 minutes (flipping halfway through). Remove from the air fryer when finished and serve immediately.

This crispy air fryer broccoli will keep fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Use a shallow, airtight container, or tightly wrap it in a plastic bag. It will stay fresh for a longer amount of time when there is a minimal amount of air.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How to keep broccoli from burning in air fryer?

A small amount of water is the key to preventing your broccoli from burning in the air fryer. You can add 2-3 tablespoons of water to the air fryer before cooking. It will evaporate and keep any broccoli from burning.

  • Is air fried broccoli still good for you?

Yes, air frying broccoli is still healthy. You can give your body plenty of antioxidants when cooking it this way and the broccoli is less likely to lose vital nutrients. Just be aware of the amount of oil you are using when air frying vegetables.

  • Why isn’t my broccoli crispy?

If your broccoli isn’t crispy, there’s a chance you didn’t cook it long enough in the air fryer. But this issue is most commonly caused by food not being evenly spaced. When you try to cook too much broccoli at once it will overcrowd the air fryer.

Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Broccoli

Delicious air fryer broccoli that can be made in under 10 minutes! This crispy veggie is perfectly roasted and pairs well with most summer dishes!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Keyword: Air Fryer
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 41kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 1 large head of broccoli
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions

  • Use a knife to cut the head of broccoli into florets. Creating more florets will yield smaller pieces and less florets will yield larger pieces of broccoli.
  • Place broccoli florets into a colander. Rinse thoroughly under cold water.
  • Drain any excess water and transfer the florets into a large mixing bowl. Add olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Use a spoon to stir and coat each piece of broccoli.
  • Set air fryer to 375° F and cook for 8-10 minutes (flipping halfway through). Remove from air fryer when finished and serve.

Video

Notes

  • It helps to rinse the broccoli after it has been chopped into florets. This ensures that all areas of the outside will be thoroughly washed.
  • Cook slightly longer if you want the texture to be more crispy.

Nutrition

Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.5g | Sodium: 20mg | Potassium: 115mg | Fiber: 1g

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