Take basic frozen florets and easily turn them into a tender-crisp, flavorful side dish in just 10–12 minutes. The air fryer’s high heat creates perfectly charred edges while keeping the broccoli juicy and fresh-tasting inside.
Make it a meal while you are at it with chicken breast from frozen using the air fryer.
Why Our Recipe
- Quick and easy, with tender-crisp results from frozen broccoli in just 10–12 minutes.
- Timeless flavors of garlic, lemon, and Parmesan to go with almost any meal.
- Or use one of our easy flavor variations!
No need to thaw—this recipe makes frozen broccoli easy and delicious. We pair the broccoli with garlic, zesty lemon, and Parmesan cheese to create a side dish that’s quick to prepare but tastes anything but basic.
Ingredient Notes
- Frozen Broccoli Florets: Grab a 16-ounce bag of frozen broccoli. There’s no need to thaw, which makes this recipe even easier!
- Garlic: Freshly minced is best, but pre-minced garlic also works. It’s just a bit more bitter.
- Olive Oil: Use a neutral-flavored olive oil to coat the broccoli evenly for perfect browning.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon zest and juice brighten up the dish. Bottled juice is fine, but fresh makes all the difference, plus you get the zest.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts the best, but pre-grated is a great shortcut.
Flavor Variations
Spicy: Add 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 1/8 teaspoon cayenne to the seasoning mix for a kick.
Cheesy: Swap Parmesan for shredded cheddar or crumbled feta for a creamy, tangy twist.
Herbs: Toss broccoli with 1/2 teaspoon dried herbs like thyme, oregano, or rosemary, or Italian seasoning.
Asian-Inspired: Add 1 teaspoon soy sauce and 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil to the olive oil mixture before cooking.
Sweet & Savory: Drizzle 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup over the cooked broccoli for a little sweet to add to your savory.
Adjusting for Different Styles of Air Fryer
Different styles of air fryers work in slightly different ways. We’ve got you covered no matter which one you use.
Basket Air Fryers: Spread the broccoli in a single layer at 400°F for 10–12 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even browning and crisping.
Toaster-Oven Style Air Fryers: Arrange the broccoli on the air fryer tray, ensuring space between the florets for proper airflow. Rotate the tray halfway through cooking. Start checking for doneness at 10 minutes and add more time as needed.
Ovens with Air Fryer Settings: Use a wire rack over a baking sheet or the air fryer tray provided with your oven. Set the temperature to 400°F. Cooking time may be slightly longer, so check for doneness at 12 minutes and adjust as necessary.
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.
