Air Fryer Broccoli

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For a great, simple side dish, air fryer broccoli is the way to go.

With a little bit of cut-up broccoli, some simple spices, and a bit of avocado oil, it’s a relatively easy air fryer recipe that pleases even the vegetable critics!

fried broccoli florets in white bowl on wooden board on white counter.
Air fryer roasted broccoli – delicious!

Recipe Tips/Substitutions

Before making this recipe, here are a few tips you’ll want to consider:

  • Be sure to cut the broccoli into even pieces – including the thickness of the stems – because then the broccoli will roast evenly in the air fryer.
  • Make sure to pat the broccoli dry after washing it. This way you can avoid extra moisture getting into your air fryer.
  • You can change up the spices to suit your personal preferences. Just keep in mind that a little goes a long way with broccoli – you can always add more, but you can’t take it away.
  • Relatedly, if your head of broccoli is very small, use less of the spices. If it’s bigger, feel free to add a bit more salt, pepper and/or garlic powder.
  • Shake the broccoli frequently. Broccoli is one of the more delicate vegetables that you can air fry so keep an eye on them.
  • If you like the idea of air frying broccoli, you might want to check out our recipe for frozen broccoli in the air fryer or air fryer broccolini – some call it “baby broccoli”!

We use this air fryer for our recipes and it has been great.

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Step by Step Instructions

For those looking to see visuals for how to make air fryer broccoli, have a look at the process photos in this section.

raw broccoli on white cutting board
Cut the broccoli into pieces.

First, cut the broccoli into small, even pieces.

raw broccoli in white strainer in sink
Wash the broccoli florets.

Wash it and then pat the pieces dry. This is important since you don’t want extra moisture in the air fryer.

raw broccoli in white bowl with oil and spices
Add the broccoli and spices to a bowl.

Add the broccoli, oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder to a mixing bowl and toss.

raw broccoli in black air fryer tray
Place the broccoli pieces into the air fryer.

Set your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Let your air fryer preheat if it has that setting (this way it is easier to gauge the exact cooking time).

If your air fryer doesn’t preheat, you can add the food right away – just add a minute or two to the cook time indicated.

Once it’s time to add the food, evenly spread the broccoli pieces out on the air fryer tray. The pieces should only be one layer deep and not sitting on top of one another.

broccoli florets in black air fryer tray on white counter top.
Fry the broccoli until tender and slightly crispy.

Fry the broccoli for 5-7 minutes or until tender. Shake every two minutes.

Since every air fryer is slightly different, your broccoli might be done after 5 minutes or need a little bit longer. Ours is usually done at the 6 minute mark.

green cooked broccoli in white bowl on wooden board with black air fryer handle behind.
Our air fryer broccoli turned out really well!

Remove the broccoli from the air fryer and sprinkle with more salt and/or pepper if desired.

What to Serve Air Fryer Broccoli With

Air fried broccoli makes a really nice side to a classic meat or fish dish served with potatoes or rice.

For example, we like this broccoli as a side for oven roast beef or chicken.

Related Recipes

Looking for more great air fryer vegetables? Check out these classic recipes:

green cooked broccoli in white bowl on wooden board with black air fryer handle behind.

Air Fryer Broccoli

Air Fryer Broccoli is easy to make. With just a few simple spices and a bit of oil, this crispy yet soft broccoli makes the perfect vegetable side dish!
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Additional Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 13 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients

  • 1 head broccoli
  • 2 teaspoons avocado oil
  • 1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon salt, more or less to taste
  • 1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, more or less to taste
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Cut the broccoli into small, even pieces. Wash it and pat the pieces dry.
  • Then add the broccoli, oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder to a mixing bowl and toss.
  • Set your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Let your air fryer preheat if it has that setting (this way it is easier to gauge the exact cooking time). If your air fryer doesn’t preheat, you can add the food right away – just add a minute or two to the cook time indicated.
  • Once it’s time to add the food, evenly spread the broccoli pieces out on the air fryer tray. The pieces should only be one layer deep and not sitting on top of one another.
  • Cook the broccoli for 5-7 minutes or until tender and slightly crispy. Shake every two minutes. Since every air fryer is different, your broccoli might be done after 5 minutes or need a little bit longer. Ours is usually done at the 6 minute mark.

Video

Notes

  • If your head of broccoli is very small, use less of the spices. If it’s bigger, feel free to add a bit more salt, pepper and/or garlic powder. However, keep in mind that a little goes quite far when adding spices to broccoli!
  • We don’t recommend using (extra) virgin olive oil in an air fryer – it has quite a low smoke point and could start smoking in your air fryer. Instead, we recommend avocado oil, sesame oil, or canola oil since they have a higher smoke point. If you really want to use olive oil, make sure to use light olive oil instead of virgin olive oil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 67kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 156mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g

This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.

Course Side Dish
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This recipe was contributed by
Lisa is the founder and main creator for Simply Air Fryer. As the author of two successful food blogs, she's usually found measuring ingredients, trying out new combinations, or hiding behind the camera snapping photos of food. She bought her first air fryer over 2 years ago and has since used it over 350+ times. With the help of her trusty sidekick (husband), she's created and tested lots of recipes for Simply Air Fryer.

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