My air fryer broccoli is crispy and cheesy for a quick and easy side dish that’s ready in minutes! I whip up this tasty veggie at least once a week, and my whole family loves it!
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My Favorite Way to Make Broccoli in the Air Fryer
I’ve always preferred oven-baked broccoli to the soggy mush you get if you try to microwave broccoli, but roasting takes forever. One night when I wanted a veggie that would be ready fast, I decided to try making air fryer broccoli.
Cheese is the key to getting my kids to eat anything, so I knew I wanted Parmesan in the mix. I decided to melt some butter in a bowl, mix it with seasonings, use it to coat the broccoli, then add the cheese.
When my daughter Leah saw the broccoli in the air fryer, she gave me a skeptical face, so I sprinkled a little more Parmesan on top for good measure. That was enough to get her to try a bite. As soon as she did, all skepticism vanished! I couldn’t believe how fast she ate her veggies that night!
And, if you like broccoli recipes, try my recipes for frozen broccoli in the air fryer, air fryer broccolini, air fryer broccoli and cauliflower, and chicken rice broccoli casserole.
Air Fry Broccoli Ingredients
- Broccoli florets – I use one head of broccoli
- Butter – to help crisp up the broccoli without letting it burn
- Garlic – I recommend fresh garlic instead of garlic powder for the best flavor
- Salt, and pepper – to help bring out the natural flavors in the broccoli
- Parmesan cheese – to add flavor and cheesiness
- Red pepper flakes – Optional, to add some heat
How to Cook Broccoli in the air Fryer
STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
STEP TWO: Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl then add the garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, mixing to combine.
STEP THREE: Add the florets to the butter mixture and stir to coat on all sides of the broccoli.
STEP FOUR: Sprinkle the grated parmesan on top of the florets and toss once more until thoroughly dusted with the cheese.
STEP FIVE: Place the broccoli in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer. Cook it for 8 minutes, turning the broccoli halfway through the cooking time. If there is more florets than fits in the air fryer, cook them in batches.
STEP SIX: Remove the broccoli from the air fryer and add more Parmesan on top, to taste.
Tips To Make The Best Air Fryer Broccoli
- Break the broccoli stalks into even-sized florets so they all cook evenly.
- Cook it in a single layer for the most even cooking. I try to leave a little space between each floret for the hot air to circulate.
- Add the Parmesan cheese prior to cooking so it melts onto the broccoli. I’ve tried adding the cheese later, and it slid right off the broccoli when it melted.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor. I’ll use powdered Parmesan in a pinch, but I always go back to the fresh stuff.
- Keep an eye on the broccoli as it cooks to make sure it isn’t overcooking. If I see that the broccoli is browning too fast, I turn the temperature down to 360 degrees F. The key is to get the broccoli tender and crispy, but not burnt!
Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe Variations and substitutions
- Use olive oil instead of butter. I find that olive oil also works great at getting the broccoli nice and roasted, but I just prefer the sweetness the butter gives to the recipe.
- Add diced chicken into the recipe to make it a full meal! I just drop the temperature to 360 degrees F and air fry until the chicken is cooked through, around 10 minutes.
- Switch up the flavor by replacing the Parmesan cheese with a teriyaki sauce or stir fry sauce.
- I sometimes add cauliflower and cook both the broccoli and cauliflower in the air fryer together!
- For a more seasoned broccoli recipe, I use a store-bought vegetable seasoning like the Traeger Grills Seasoning Veggie Rub on my broccoli.
What to Serve with Air Fried Broccoli
I find air fried broccoli pairs well with virtually any main dish, but I usually serve it with air fryer meatloaf, air fryer sirloin steak, or air fryer pork chops for a hearty meal.
When I want a lighter meal, I will serve it with some air fryer mahi mahi, air fryer chicken cutlets, or air fryer shrimp.
Air Fryer Broccoli FAQs
What makes air fry broccoli healthy?
My air fryer broccoli recipe only calls for 2 tablespoons of butter for the entire head of broccoli. If I wanted to pan fry broccoli, I’d end up using a lot more butter or oil to get the same crispy finish.
The beauty of the air fryer is that it can get foods nice and crispy with way less butter or oil. And broccoli itself is a nutritional powerhouse, so I don’t mind adding some cheese and butter to get my kids to eat it!
How long to cook broccoli in the air fryer
I love whipping up air fryer roasted broccoli because it only takes about 8 minutes to cook! It’s so easy to throw in the air fryer as the final step when I’m just about ready to serve dinner.
Does broccoli burn in the air fryer?
Yes, broccoli can burn in the air fryer, so I always keep a close eye on mine while it’s cooking. I check on it halfway through the cooking time and, if I notice the edges turning brown already, I’ll turn the temperature down to 360 degrees F for the rest of the cooking time.
I want the broccoli edges to get crispy, but not be burnt.
How to cook frozen broccoli in the air fryer
I love making frozen broccoli in the air fryer if I don’t have fresh broccoli! I preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F, then air fry it for about 20 minutes, shaking the basket a few times throughout the cooking time.
Storage for leftover air fried broccoli?
When I have leftover air fried broccoli, I let it fully cool first to avoid any condensation that could make it soggy. Once cooled, I transfer the broccoli to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
More Easy Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
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Air Fryer Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 head of broccoli
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 clove garlic minced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- additional parmesan cheese for serving
- pinch of red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Cut broccoli into florets and set aside.
- Mix together melted butter, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Add the broccoli and mix to combine thoroughly.
- Add the Parmesan cheese and mix again making sure to coat it evenly.
- Place broccoli into the air fryer and cook for 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.*
- Remove broccoli from the air fryer and serve immediately.
- Add additional Parmesan cheese on top once served.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
