Air Fryer Broccoli

Name: Air Fryer Broccoli
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 11 min
Ingredients: 1 large head broccoli (about 4 cups of florets, cut into 1-inch florets); 2 Tablespoons avocado or olive oil; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste); ¼ teaspoon pepper (plus more to taste); sprinkle of crushed red (optional); slice of lemon (for serving, optional)

By Brittany Mullins

3.77

Published Dec 31, 2021, Updated Sep 12, 2023

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A simple recipe for air fryer broccoli that tastes just like oven roasted broccoli but cooks up in just 6 minutes! It’s crispy, flavorful and perfect for busy weeknights when you’re looking to make a healthy side dish.

As I wrap up air fryer week, I wanted to share one last classic and easy recipe with you. This air fryer broccoli is such an easy and delicious side dish and it tastes so dang good! If you ever open the fridge and think oh no! What am I going to do with this broccoli, this recipe is for you! Make this air fryer broccoli and be happy that you did.

The broccoli comes out crispy and flavorful and it’s addicting. I’m not kidding, I had to refrain from eating it all before I could take the photos. It makes a great snack if you’re craving that crispy and salty combo!

An overhead view of a bowl of air fried broccoli.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s super simple!
You end up with crispy and deliciously addicting broccoli.
It’s fast and perfect for those busy week nights.

Ingredients measured out to make air fryer broccoli: garlic powder, salt, pepper, olive oil and broccoli.

Here’s What You Need

broccoli – chop up 1 large head of broccoli or use a bag of pre chopped broccoli. You want about 4 cups cut into 1-inch florets.
olive oil – avocado oil would also work.
seasonings – garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add some crushed red pepper for an extra kick!
lemon – a squeeze of fresh lemon adds a nice touch of acidity but it’s optional and still delicious without it!

Side by side photos of broccoli in an air fryer basket, before and after being cooked.

How to Make Air Fryer Broccoli

Are you ready for how easy this is?

Start by washing and chopping your broccoli into 1-inch florets. Try to make them as evenly sized as possible so they cook evenly.

Toss the broccoli in a bowl with the oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper and if using, the red pepper flakes. Make sure the broccoli florets are evenly coated.

Preheat or turn your air fryer on to 360ºF and add the broccoli to the basket. Cook for 6-8 minutes, giving them a good toss halfway through.

Remove from the basket and serve with a slice of lemon.

That’s it. That is how easy making this air fryer broccoli is!

Recipe Tips:

For a shortcut, use a bag of pre-cut and pre-washed broccoli from the store.
If you want your broccoli a bit more tender, add 1 Tablespoon of water to the base of your air fryer before adding the broccoli.

A hand holding up a piece of air fried broccoli.

Recipe Variations

This recipe is super simple and produces delicious and easy broccoli but you can definitely have fun and mix up the seasonings! Here are some ideas:

Parmesan – Add a sprinkle of fresh parmesan when you take them out of the air fryer for some cheesy goodness.

Sweet + spicy – Go for a sweet and spicy combo by drizzling with honey and sprinkling with red pepper flakes.

Balsamic vinegar – Simply drizzle some balsamic vinegar after cooking for an extra boost of flavor.

Slivered almonds – Bump up the crunch factor and add some toasted slivered almonds! It’ll make this easy recipe feel super elevated (and will still be so easy!)

Air Fryer FAQ

Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

That depends on your air fryer! Some recommend preheating and others do not require it. Check your owners’ manual to see what they recommend. If you don’t have a preheat setting, just set your air fryer to the required temperature about 3 minutes before adding your food.

How much can I put into my air fryer?

It depends on the size of your basket. You’ll want to make sure you don’t overcrowd the basket or your food will not get crispy. You may need to cook in batches.

Can I use aerosol spray on my air fryer?

I do not recommend using aerosol spray on your air fryer! Like most non-stick items, it’s best to avoid sprays like Pam as it can mess with the finish.

An overhead view of a small bowl of air fryer broccoli. There are two lemon slices resting in the bowl as a garnish.

How to Serve Air Fryer Broccoli

I tend to eat all of this broccoli before I can serve it with anything and I’m guessing you’ll have the same problem as me – it’s so good! However, here are some ideas to serve alongside the broccoli for an easy weeknight meal!

Make this apple cider vinegar chicken or blackened salmon for a source of protein. Serve with a side of rice or quinoa.
Top a salad for an extra boost of veggies and crunch like this garlicky kale salad or even this sweet kale salad.
Grill up some grilled rosemary chicken skewers or grilled BBQ tempeh skewers and serve this broccoli as a side along with this healthy potato salad.

How to Store

One thing I don’t recommend is making a big batch of air fryer broccoli to store as meal prep. Air fryer vegetables tend to lose their crispiness after you refrigerate them, which in my opinion is a big reason to use the air fryer in the first place!

However, you can absolutely store leftovers in the fridge to enjoy later, they’ll still taste delicious they’ll just lose that crispy crunch. After cooling, place leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for 2-3 days.

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Be sure to check out all of my broccoli recipes and the full collection of air fryer recipes here on EBF.

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3.77 from 21 votes