• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
KITCHEN @ HOSKINS
  • Dinner Recipes
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Dinner Recipes
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Air Fryer Broccoli

    Published: May 21, 2023 by Maria Doss · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    • Share!
    Jump to Recipe
    pinterest image.
    pinterest image.
    pinterst image.
    pinterest image.

    This Air Fryer Broccoli is made using my fool proof technique to make crispy roasted broccoli florets without burnt edges.

    air fryer basket with roasted broccoli.

    Broccoli becomes amazingly sweet, caramelized and nutty, when roasted in the air fryer. It draws out their natural sugars and intensifies their flavor.

    The thin coating of olive oil is essential, because it's a better heat distribution medium. Extra virgin olive oil is the first oil expressed and extracted from fresh olives. A good quality extra virgin olive oil has a fruity, grassy and buttery notes.

    Air fryer broccoli has a crispy texture without being greasy, cooks in less than 8 minutes and few minutes of prep time. Have you tried this tasty broccoli cranberry salad?

    When you bring home your broccoli head, keep it loosely wrapped in plastic, inside your crisper draw. It should stay fresh for at least a week. It is best to use it right away after cutting the head into florets to prevent moisture loss.

    Air fryer broccoli often ends up smoking or results in florets with almost black edges, before the inside cooks. I developed a fool proof technique of Steam-Roasting, which allows the florets not get burnt.

    What is steam-roasting? You add a splash of water into the basket, which creates some steam and prevents the florets from charring too much.

    Jump to:
    • Why this recipe works?
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • How to make?
    • How to serve?
    • Storage and reheating
    • Helpful tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More air fryer vegetables
    • Air Fryer Broccoli

    Why this recipe works?

    The high heat from air fryer rapidly begins caramelizing and charring the florets, browning the exterior, while leaving a bit of fresh crunch in the centre.

    There's a significant loss in moisture on the exterior buds and they begin browning at an exponential state, before the inside cooks. The steam roasting makes up for the moisture loss, keeping the buds tender and moist, even when subjected to high heat.

    Ingredients

    Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.

    1. Broccoli - When buying broccoli heads, look for tight florets that are evenly dark green in color. Have extra broccoli? Try it in chicken broccoli alfredo or shrimp broccoli stir fry.
    2. Olive oil - You don’t need a ton of olive oil, just a couple of tablespoons. That is the beauty of air frying, there isn’t much oil needed at all!
    3. Seasonings - Salt, pepper, garlic powder and red pepper flakes.

    Tip: Cutting evenly sized florets is the key to evenly cooked results and also create plenty of surface area.

    Variations

    1. Garlic Parmesan - Skip garlic powder and add about 4 cloves of grated garlic (grated garlic tends to adhere better to the florets when compared to chopped ones) along with seasoning and proceed as instructed. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the florets, when done.
    2. Cheesy - Sprinkle grated cheddar on top of the florets in the last minute of roasting. Check out this broccoli with cheese recipe, which is an over cooked version.
    3. Parmesan - Sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan on top, right after cooking, like in chicken pasta bake.
    4. Lemon - Toss cooked florets with freshly squeezed lemon juice and finely grated lemon zest.
    5. Spicy - Increase red pepper flakes in the recipe.
    6. Balsamic - Finish the dish with a drizzle of good balsamic vinegar.
    7. Mexican - Toss with homemade taco seasoning for a Mexican twist.
    8. Indian - Mix with turmeric powder, chili powder, black pepper powder, cumin seeds, grated garlic, salt and vegetable oil instead of olive oil.

    How to make?

    You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.

    glass bowl with raw broccoli florets.

    1.Cut broccoli into florets - Trim the woody ends of the stalks and discard. Using the tip of a large knife, cut the florets off the stalks and trim into large florets.

    Tip: Did you know the stalks are equally nutritious and tasty? Peel the stalks, using a vegetable peeler, and slice into 1 inches lengths.

    a hand pouring oil into a glass bowl with broccoli florets.
    A hand tossing broccoli florets with a wooden spoon.

    2 & 3. Toss florets with olive oil and seasonings, making sure that the seasoning coats evenly.

    raw broccoli florets in an air fryer basket.

    4. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons water into the basket and then place florets in a single layer on the grill plate. Cook at 390° for 8 minutes (giving a shake mid way) and serve hot.

    Tip: The high heat maximizes caramelization while still maintaining a pleasant crunch.

    How to serve?

    • Perfect side dish with your favorite pastas , rice, chicken, shrimp, fish, air fryer pizza or other dinner recipes.
    • More kid friendly meal pairings include one pot mac and cheese.

    Storage and reheating

    Cook air fryer broccoli, and cool completely before refrigerating in a sealed container for up to 4 days.

    • Reheating in the air fryer - Best for re-crisping! Place the florets, in a single layer, in a pre heated 350°F air fryer, for 2 to 4 minutes (depends on the quantity), until heated through.
    • Reheating in microwave - It won’t be as crispy when you heat it in the microwave. Just warm it for 2-3 minutes or until it’s hot all the way through.

    Helpful tips

    Here are a few tips to ensure that this is the best roasted broccoli in very few minutes-

    • Floret size - Cut florets into medium size florets (about 1 and ½ inches) and make sure that all florets are the same size, which ensures even cooking.
    • Coat well - Toss the florets together with seasonings, in a bowl prior to transferring to the basket. This allows all the nooks and crannies of the flower to be packed with flavor.
    • If using lesser broccoli, then reduce oven temperature accordingly (refer recipe for details).
    • Pat dry– Make sure you dry the florets after rinsing, so the oil and seasonings will adhere better. Otherwise, the oil will bead off the water.
    • Don’t crowd the basket- Air fryers work by quickly circulating hot air throughout the basket. Leave some space between florets so the air can hit all sides for crisping up.
    roasted broccoli florets in an air fryer.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can you put frozen broccoli in the air fryer?

    Yes but do not thaw them. Cook them frozen in the same temperature, but add seasoning half way through cooking. And, also skip the added water into the basket, when using frozen ones.

    Do you wash broccoli before roasting?

    It is a good practice to wash all vegetables before cooking. Simply place the flower under cold running water, making sure to scrub and rinse every nook and cranny. You could also immerse in a bowl filled with a water, mixed with a splash of vinegar. Drain water and pat dry before cutting.

    Can I make this in oven?

    Sure can! Prepare recipe as instructed, transfer to a baking sheet, spreading in a single layer and bake in a pre heated 400 degree oven, for 15 to 20 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 425 degrees if doubling the recipe.

    More air fryer vegetables

    • crispy kale chips in a white tray.
      Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips
    • cooked green beans topped with golden crumbs in a white tray.
      Air Fryer Green Beans
    • air fryer basket with parmesan crusted brussels sprouts.
      Parmesan Brussels Sprouts in Air Fryer
    • air fryer roasted zucchini with parmesan.
      Air fryer Zucchini

    Hungry for more? Follow me on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook or Pinterest for more delicious recipes

    roasted broccoli florets in a black air fryer plate.

    Air Fryer Broccoli

    This Air Fryer Broccoli is made using my fool proof technique to make crispy roasted broccoli florets without burnt edges.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 11 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 Servings
    Calories: 143kcal
    Author: Maria Doss

    Ingredients

    • 6 cups chopped broccoli florets about 12 ounces, cut into medium size
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

    Equipment used

    • Air fryer
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Add all ingredients into a large bowl and toss well, until well combined.
      Tip: Make sure that the seasonings coats all the nooks and crannies of the broccoli florets.
    • Pre heat the air fryer for 7 minutes at 390°F. When hot, add 1 to 2 tablespoons water into the bottom of the air fryer basket and place broccoli florets on the grill plate, spreading to a single layer.
      Tip: There's a significant loss in moisture on the exterior buds and they begin browning at an exponential state, before the inside cooks. The steam roasting makes up for the moisture loss, keeping the buds tender and moist, even when subjected to high heat.
    • Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, giving them a good shake half way, until it turns a vibrant green with some char on the outside.
      Tip: Broccoli florets in the perimeter tends to brown sooner than the middle. So, give them a shake halfway through cooking.

    Notes

    Floret size – Cut florets into medium size florets (about 1 and ½ inches) and make sure that all florets are the same size which ensures them even cooking.
    Cooking less broccoli: 
    380°F for 5 cups broccoli
    370°F for 4 cups broccoli

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 229mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 3g

    Nutritional information is based on third party calculations, should be considered estimates and not be construed as a guarantee. Varying factors such as product types, brands purchased, produce, the way ingredients are processed and more change the nutritional information in any recipe.

    Did you make this recipe?Mention @KitchenAtHoskins or tag #kitchenathoskins!

    Did you make this recipe? I’d love your feedback! Please let me know by leaving a comment or review below or snap a photo and share on Instagram.

    Some of the links above are affiliate links, which pay me a small commission for my referral at no extra cost to you! I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you for supporting kitchenathoskins.com

    All contents and images are my original work, unless and otherwise mentioned. Please do not use my recipes or images without linking back to www.kitchenathoskins.com. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite in your own words and don’t forget to include a link back to the original recipe.

    « Homemade Donuts
    Air Fryer Salmon »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Biomedis

      November 08, 2022 at 2:11 pm

      Which is more crispy, deep fried or air fryer?

      Reply
      • Maria Doss

        November 11, 2022 at 2:43 am

        Deep fried..of course😃

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi I'm Maria, the recipe developer, photographer, and videographer behind this food blog. Here you’ll find simple everyday recipes that pack in serious flavors, with a sprinkling of creative twists to familiar dishes. I also focus on including an overview of why the recipe works, valuable tips, step-by-step photos, and videos to guide you along the way.
    About Maria ->

    Dinner recipes

    • panko breaded chicken cutlets in a baking pan.
      Baked Chicken Cutlets
    • round white shallow bowl with mushroom rice and a wooden spoon.
      Mushroom Fried Rice
    • buffalo chicken tenders on a white tray.
      Buffalo Chicken Tenders
    • lemon garlic butter shrimp pasta in cast iron pan.
      Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

    New Recipes

    • half bitten soft lemon drizzle cupcake topped with lemon frosting.
      Lemon Drizzle Cupcakes
    • a hand holding one chocolate chip cookie above a platter with the same.
      Chocolate Chip Cookie for One
    • White mug with chocolate cake, topped with whipped cream and 2 fresh cherries.
      Black Forest Mug Cake
    • roasted corn on the cob on a white tray.
      Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
    • air fried salmon on a white plate with broccoli along with a fork.
      Air Fryer Salmon
    • 3 glazed donuts on a white plate.
      Homemade Donuts

    Footer

    Copyright © 2022 CANDY GINGER LLC  Privacy policy

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    15 shares