Broccoli in the Air Fryer
Steamed broccoli is soft and plain, and oven-roasted broccoli takes 25 minutes. Air fryer broccoli gets browned, slightly crunchy tips and tender stems in about 9 minutes, with just a tablespoon of oil. This recipe covers fresh broccoli, plus the times you need when you cook broccoli in the air fryer from frozen.
- Temperature
- 375°F190 °C
- Total time
- 19min
- Prep time
- 10min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 75kcal
Why the air fryer works for broccoli
Broccoli is made of two very different parts, soft buds on top and a dense stem underneath. In a pot of boiling water the buds go limp before the stem is ready. In the air fryer, fast-moving dry air removes surface moisture, so the buds brown and turn crisp at the edges while the stem softens. That browning gives roasted broccoli its nutty, slightly sweet flavor, and it is the reason air fryer broccoli tastes so different from steamed.
Two things decide the result, dryness and size. Wet broccoli steams instead of roasting, and florets of different sizes finish at different times. Dry the pieces well, cut them evenly and do not crowd the basket, and you will get a good result every time.
How to make broccoli in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Cut evenly Trim the broccoli into florets about 1½ inches wide, and cut larger ones in half through the stalk. Peel the thick stem, slice it into ½-inch coins and add them to the pile. The stem is sweet and tender once roasted.
- Dry and season Rinse the broccoli, then dry it very well with a clean towel or paper towels. Toss the florets in a large bowl with the oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder until every piece has a thin coating.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 375 °F for so the florets start browning right away.
- Cook Spread the broccoli in the basket in a loose layer, not packed down. Cook for , shaking the basket after . A 5-quart basket holds about 1 lb; in a smaller basket cook in two batches.
- Check and finish The broccoli is done when the stems pierce easily with a fork and the tips are browned and crisp. Cook longer if you like it darker. Toss with the lemon juice and serve hot.
Times and temperatures
| Broccoli | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh floretsShake after 4 min | 375 °F (190 °C) | 9 min |
| Fresh, extra crispyDarker, crunchier tips | 400 °F (200 °C) | 6–8 min |
| Frozen floretsNo thawing, shake 2–3 times | 400 °F (200 °C) | 10–12 min |
| BroccoliniThin stalks cook fast | 375 °F (190 °C) | 5–7 min |
| Gentle | 350 °F (180 °C) | 10–12 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Use the stems. Peeled and sliced into coins, the stem is the tenderest, sweetest part of the broccoli. Do not throw it away.
- Season in two stages. Salt, pepper and garlic powder go on before cooking. Lemon juice, grated cheese and hot sauce go on at the end, so they do not burn or turn the florets soggy.
- Shake, do not stir. Shaking the basket once halfway moves the pieces on the outside to the center and evens out the browning.
What to serve with broccoli
Broccoli is an easy side for a weeknight dinner. It goes well with chicken breast, pork chops or salmon, and you can cook it right after the main dish while the meat rests. For a full vegetable tray, mix it with carrots or cauliflower. Cooking times for other foods are listed in the air fryer cooking times chart.
Storing and reheating
Let the broccoli cool, then keep it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It will soften as it sits. To bring back some crunch, reheat it in the air fryer at 350 °F for 2–3 minutes, shaking once, until it is hot all the way through. Cold roasted broccoli is also good chopped into salads, grain bowls or scrambled eggs.
Variations
- Parmesan: Toss the hot broccoli with 2 tbsp grated Parmesan right after cooking, so it melts onto the florets (not vegan or dairy-free).
- Soy and honey: Toss the cooked florets with 1 tsp soy sauce and 1 tsp honey for a sweet, savory finish (not vegan or gluten-free).
- Chili and lemon: Add ¼ tsp red pepper flakes with the other seasonings and finish with extra lemon juice.
- Broccoli bites: Chop the broccoli finely, mix with an egg, shredded cheddar and bread crumbs, shape into small patties and cook at 375 °F for 8–10 minutes, flipping once.
- Broccolini: For a dedicated recipe, see air fryer broccolini.
If it does not turn out right
- The broccoli is soggy instead of crisp
- Moisture is the cause. Dry the florets thoroughly after rinsing, cook in a single loose layer and shake the basket halfway so steam can escape.
- The tips burned before the stems were tender
- Florets of different sizes cook at different speeds. Cut them to a similar size, slice the stems into thin coins, and lower the temperature to 350 °F if your air fryer runs hot.
- The seasoning fell off
- Light, dry seasoning falls through the florets. Toss with the oil first so the spices stick, and add cheese or lemon juice after cooking, not before.
Questions and answers
How long do you cook broccoli in the air fryer?
Fresh florets take 8–10 minutes at 375 °F, shaking once. At 400 °F they need 6–8 minutes and get darker, crisper tips. At 350 °F plan on 10–12 minutes.
Can you cook frozen broccoli in the air fryer?
Yes, and you do not need to thaw it. Cook frozen florets at 400 °F for 10–12 minutes, shaking two or three times. Toss them with a little oil and salt first. They come out tender with some browning, but less crisp than fresh.
Can you cook broccoli in the air fryer without oil?
You can, but the florets will be drier and less browned. A single tablespoon of oil for a pound of broccoli is enough to carry the seasoning and crisp the tips.
Can I cook broccoli and cauliflower together?
Yes. Cut both into similar-sized florets and cook them together at 375 °F for 10–12 minutes. Cauliflower is denser, so cut its florets a little smaller.
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