Air Fryer Broccoli in a bowl.
Air Fryer Broccoli tastes just like oven roasted broccoli but cooks in a fraction of the time! A delicious crispy-tender side dish or heathy snack.
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This easy Air Fryer Broccoli recipe will make you rethink how you cook your florets from now on. Ready in under 10 minutes with a soft, tender texture and crispy roasted edges.

eating Air Fryer Broccoli using a spoon.
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10 Minute Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli

Our Air Fryer Broccoli takes a fraction of the cooking time as its conventional oven-roasted counterpart and comes out just as tender with lightly browned and crispy edges.

I love air fryer recipes that rely on hot circulating air to cook up crispy food instead of frying in greasy, messy oil; plus you get the same soft and crunchy results as roasted broccoli in a fraction of the time. 

Serve your air fried broccoli as a healthy, low carb side dish for dinner, add it to a burrito bowl, mix it into macaroni, put some in a creamy pasta salad, or simply eat it straight from the air fryer basket – with just a bit of oil and some seasoning, you can turn your favorite floret into the best tasting broccoli! 

Why We Love Air Fryer Broccoli recipes

  • Quick and easy to make.
  • Uses only 4 simple ingredients plus water.
  • Air frying food creates a crispy exterior without extra calories and fat from deep frying.
  • Broccoli is loaded with fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, and potassium and has so many health benefits.
  • Delicious family-friendly side dish to accompany any meal.

Air Fryer Broccoli Ingredients

Air Fryer Broccoli ingredients.
  • Fresh broccoli florets
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic salt
  • Black pepper
  • Water

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions and Additions

  • Grab A Garnish: Sprinkle your broccoli with shredded or freshly grated parmesan cheese, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or serve with fresh lemon wedges on the side.
  • Vary The Veggies: The air fryer can cook a variety of other veggies too! For more fuss-free cooking ideas, try my air fryer zucchini, air fryer cauliflower, air fryer french fries and air fryer home fries, and air fryer sweet potato fries.
  • Swap The Seasoning: Feel free to season your florets with some red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, or your favorite spices.
Air Fryer Broccoli on a white plate.

How to Make Air Fryer Broccoli

  1. Prepare The Produce: Toss the broccoli with olive oil, garlic salt and black pepper to coat.
  2. Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes, then add water to the bottom of the air fryer.
  3. Cook: Add the seasoned broccoli to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 5 minutes, toss, then continue to air fry for 3-5 minutes or until cooked through and lightly browned and crisp on the edges.
    Pro Tip: The total amount of time needed will vary depending on the size of your florets.
  4. Serve: Garnish with a sprinkle of shredded parmesan cheese and fresh lemon wedges if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Place the broccoli in the air fryer basket. Cooked through until lightly browned and crisp on the edges.

Tips For Making The Best Air Fryer Broccoli

  • I like to buy whole heads of broccoli and cut down the florets into bite sized pieces myself. You can buy the pre-cut bags of florets for convenience but make sure that the pieces are similar in size for even cooking. If not, you will want to trim pieces as needed.
  • I do not suggest using frozen broccoli florets for this recipe. It works best using fresh broccoli florets.
  • Make sure not to overcrowd your air fryer basket or the broccoli florets will steam and soften instead of crisping as they cook. If they don’t fit in a single layer with a bit of space around each one, you many need to work in batches.
  • A COSORI brand 6.8 quart sized Air Fryer was used to test and develop this recipe.

How to Store Air Fryer Broccoli

  • To Store: This air fryer broccoli is best served immediately. You can refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days.
  • To Reheat: You can reheat leftovers in the airfryer for 2-3 minutes to re-crisp and warm the broccoli.
air fryer broccoli in a bowl.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Broccoli

Serve these florets as a healthier side for your sandwiches and main dish meals. They make a great substitution for french fries or potato chips if you’re looking to cut carbs and calories!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why add water to the bottom of the air fryer?

Adding water to the bottom of the air fryer helps to steam the broccoli and makes it more tender when cooked. It also prevents the broccoli from burning.

What size should I cut my broccoli florets?

When cutting your broccoli florets be mindful that they will shrink in size a little when air fried. You do not want to cut them too small but you will also need to be mindful that if they are on the larger side then they will take a couple extra minutes to cook.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

eating Air Fryer Broccoli using fork.

More Delicious Broccoli Recipes

If you tried this Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!!!

5 from 2 votes
Air Fryer Broccoli in a bowl.

Air Fryer Broccoli

Serves — 4
Air Fryer Broccoli tastes just like oven roasted broccoli but cooks in a fraction of the time! A delicious crispy-tender side dish or heathy snack.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (from 2 small or 1 large head of broccoli) cut into bite sized (roughly 1½-2 inch) pieces
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons water

Optional Garnish

  • Fresh lemon wedges
  • Shredded parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • To a large bowl, add the fresh broccoli florets, olive oil, garlic salt and black pepper. Toss to evenly coat the broccoli florets in the oil and seasonings.
    4 cups fresh broccoli florets, 3 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon garlic salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Preheat the air fryer at 375*F for 3 minutes, add the water to the bottom of the preheated air fryer. This helps to steam the broccoli and makes it more tender when cooked.
    2 tablespoons water
  • Add the seasoned broccoli florets to the basket of the airfryer in a single layer. Cook for 5 minutes, toss the broccoli so that it is evenly cooked, then continue to air fry for another 3-5 minutes or until cooked through and lightly browned and crisp on the edges. The total amount of time needed will vary depending on the size of your florets.
  • Transfer the air fried broccoli to a serving bowl and garnish with an optional sprinkle of shredded parmesan cheese and fresh lemon wedges to squeeze over the broccoli if desired.
    Fresh lemon wedges, Shredded parmesan cheese

Jenn’s Notes

Storage:
  • To Store: This air fryer broccoli is best served immediately. You can refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days.
  • To Reheat: You can reheat leftovers in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to re-crisp and warm the broccoli.
Tips:
  • I like to buy whole heads of broccoli and cut down the florets into bite sized pieces myself. You can buy the pre-cut bags of florets for convenience but make sure that the pieces are similar in size for even cooking. If not, you will want to trim pieces as needed.
  • I do not suggest using frozen broccoli florets for this recipe. It works best using fresh broccoli florets.
  • Make sure not to overcrowd your air fryer basket or the broccoli florets will steam and soften instead of crisping as they cook. If they don’t fit in a single layer with a bit of space around each one, you many need to work in batches.
  • A COSORI brand 6.8 quart sized Air Fryer was used to test and develop this recipe.

Nutrition Info

Calories: 124kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 321mg | Potassium: 289mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 568IU | Vitamin C: 81mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg

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