Air fryer broccoli is the quick and easy side dish you didn’t know you needed! It’s ready in just 8–10 minutes. Using the air fryer keeps everything mess-free while still getting results that rival oven-roasted broccoli in a fraction of the time.
Make it a meal and serve this broccoli alongside some air fryer shrimp or air fryer chicken parmesan.
Why Our Recipe
- Tender-crisp broccoli with lightly browned edges in just 8–10 minutes.
- Flavored with the classic combination of lemon, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.
You can use this as a quick way to get a side on the table or use it to cook entire meals in the air fryer. We use the timeless combination of lemon, garlic, and Parmesan to make sure this can go with almost any meal.
Ingredient Notes
- Broccoli: Choose fresh broccoli heads with tightly packed florets. Cut into evenly sized florets for consistent cooking.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic has the best flavor. You’ll need about 2 cloves. The pre-minced jarred garlic works too, but it has a more bitter flavor than fresh.
- Olive Oil: Or your favorite neutral-flavored cooking oil.
- Lemon: We’re going to use both the zest and juice here.
- Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melt, though pre-grated works too.
Quick Flavor Variations
Spicy Kick: Add 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the olive oil mixture.
Herbs: Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, rosemary, or oregano over the broccoli before cooking.
Cheese Lovers: Substitute the Parmesan with 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or crumbled feta cheese.
Asian-inspired: Toss the broccoli with 1 teaspoon soy sauce and 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil before cooking.
Savory & Sweet: Drizzle 1 teaspoon honey or 1 teaspoon maple syrup over the cooked broccoli.
How to Cut Broccoli
Listen, cutting broccoli into florets is pretty straightforward, but it isn’t always obvious. Start by rinsing the broccoli under cold water to remove any dirt.
Remove the Stem: Place the broccoli on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to trim off the thick stem close to where the florets branch out. Save the stem for another recipe, such as soup or stir-fries, or peel and slice it for snacking.
Separate the Florets: Hold the broccoli head upside down, with the stem facing up. Cut along the natural branches to separate large florets.
Cut into Even Sizes: Cut the larger florets into smaller pieces so they’re all roughly the same size. Aim for bite-sized pieces.
Adapting for Different Styles of Air Fryer
Basket Air Fryers: Cook in a single layer at 400°F for 8–10 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through for even browning.
Toaster-Oven Style Air Fryers: Spread the broccoli on the air fryer tray, leaving space between pieces. Rotate trays halfway through. Check for doneness at 10 minutes and add more time if needed.
Ovens with Air Fryer Settings: Use a wire rack over a baking sheet or the oven’s air fryer tray. Keep the temperature at 400°F. Cooking time may extend slightly; check at 10 minutes and cook up to 12 minutes if needed.
Repurpose Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Here are some ideas for reusing it:
Breakfast: Add chopped broccoli to scrambled eggs, omelets, or frittatas.
Pasta or Grain Bowls: Toss it into pasta dishes, risottos, or grain bowls.
Salads: Add it to a green salad or use it to bulk up a cold pasta salad.
Soups: Blend it into a creamy broccoli soup or stir it into a broth-based soup.
Can I use frozen Broccoli? And, if so, what temp and for how long? I have a toaster oven air fryer that I love and use a lot. Thank you! Love your recipes and videos.
Yes! I would add an additional minute or 2. Depends on the size of the broccoli.