Name: Frozen Broccoli in the Air Fryer
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 20- oz frozen bag of broccoli florets; 3 tablespoons zesty Italian dressing; Salt and pepper to taste; ¼ cup shredded parmesan (optional)

Making frozen broccoli in the air fryer is one of the easiest and tastiest ways to get the whole family to eat their vegetables! Best of all, this dish cooks in less than half an hour.

Close up of fork picking up piece of air fryer broccoli

Getting the family to eat their vegetables can be a tall order. That’s why I’m so excited to share how easy it is to make frozen broccoli in the air fryer! It’s a delicious veggie everyone will devour.

This recipe is as simple as tossing the frozen florets in a zesty Italian dressing while your air fryer preheats, then cooking until the tops are crispy and the stems are tender. Top with some parmesan cheese and watch the whole family clear their plates!

Here’s what I’m going to teach you in this post:

How to cook frozen broccoli in the air fryer the easy way
Tips for making the best air fryer frozen broccoli
What to serve with this veggie side
Whether or not you need to thaw vegetables before cooking in the air fryer
The best way to reheat leftover air fryer broccoli

One of the nice things about this dish is that the broccoli air fries for 20 to 25 minutes, and all you have to do is flip the florets halfway through. That gives you time to prep the rest of your meal so that as soon as the broccoli is done, you’re ready to serve!

Air Fryer I recommend: Large, easy to clean, square basket, burner on top and bottom. Click to see it.

prepared ingredients for frozen broccoli in air fryer

How to Make Frozen Broccoli in the Air Fryer

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.

STEP TWO: In a bowl, toss your broccoli in zesty Italian dressing.

STEP THREE: Place the florets in the hot air fryer and cook for 10 minutes.

place frozen broccoli in single layer in air fryer

STEP FOUR: Open the air fryer and season the broccoli with salt and pepper.

STEP FIVE: Flip the florets with a spoon, then close the air fryer and cook for another 10 to 15 minutes until the tops are crispy and the stems are tender.

flip broccoli over and cook an additional 10 minutes

STEP SIX: Top with parmesan cheese and a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired.

Can I Put Frozen Veggies in the Air Fryer?

Absolutely! This is one of my favorite ways to cook frozen vegetables in a matter of minutes. The air fryer is perfect for getting them super crispy so that even the pickiest of eaters will be asking for seconds.

For more veggie inspiration, check out my Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans with a little Everything Bagel seasoning and grated parmesan for the perfect flavor and crunch. Or give these crispy and delicious Frozen Brussels Sprouts a try!

Have a bag of frozen broccoli and cauliflower mixed together? No problem! The instructions for making frozen cauliflower are the same as making air fryer broccoli from frozen, so you can easily mix and match.

white plate full of broccoli cooked in air fryer

Tips to Get the Best Frozen Broccoli in the Air Fryer

After 10 minutes, use a spoon to flip the broccoli. You don’t want to shake the basket because there will be water at the bottom from the frozen florets, and you don’t want it to splash up.
Try to keep the florets in a single layer for even cooking and so the hot air can really crisp up the tops of the broccoli.
Let the air fryer fully preheat before adding the broccoli so the florets cook as evenly as possible.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Broccoli

Can I Make Frozen Broccoli in the Air Fryer Without Oil?

Yes! That’s one of the great things about the air fryer. Plus, the zesty Italian dressing will help coat the florets to keep them from sticking.

wooden spoon dishing broccoli out of air fryer

Can I Stack My Frozen Veggies in the Air Fryer?

Technically, yes, you can stack frozen veggies in the air fryer. However, for best results, I recommend air frying them in a single layer. This will help your vegetables cook evenly.

If you do end up stacking to cook more at once, be very careful when flipping them so the water that collects at the bottom doesn’t splash up.

Should I Thaw Frozen Vegetables Before Air Frying?

There’s no need! With this recipe, you can cook the broccoli in the air fryer straight from frozen. If you would rather use fresh, I recommend checking out my Air Fryer Broccoli recipe for the ideal cooking time and temperature.

How Long to Put Frozen Broccoli in the Air Fryer

This will depend on the size of the florets. You’ll want to cook the broccoli for 10 minutes, flip with a spoon, then cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the tops are crispy and the stems are tender.

How to Reheat Broccoli in the Air Fryer

Place the leftover broccoli in the air fryer.
Heat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
Cook for 5 minutes until crispy and heated through.

Other Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes You’ll Love:

And check out our big list of Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes here!

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