Simple, crispy, and delicious, you will love this Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli. The flavor and texture make the broccoli so yummy, and it goes with so many dishes.
This crispy broccoli tastes great with air fryer steak bites or with crispy air fryer chicken tenders.
Crispy air fryer broccoli
Cooking broccoli in an air fryer puts a new spin on an old vegetable. This recipe is so great because it uses simple ingredients that most of us have on hand to create a side dish that’s just a little different – and a lot tasty. The crispy texture that the broccoli gets as it’s cooked goes so well with the flavors, and without any of the grease of oil frying or sogginess that comes from boiling.
Best way to season broccoli
Broccoli has its own unique flavor and tastes best when cooked with simple ingredients. In this recipe, the broccoli is coated with olive oil to help it crisp, and then tossed with garlic powder to give it a pungent garlicky flavor, and salt and pepper to enhance its natural taste. That’s it. Simple, yet flavorful, this crispy broccoli has just a few flavor notes that really make it shine.
How to cook broccoli in the air fryer
- Prep the broccoli. Rinse the broccoli and then cut it into florets. Pat them dry thoroughly so that it will crisp up during frying.
- Combine seasonings. In a small bowl, add the salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Mix to combine.
- Add oil and seasoning to the broccoli. Place the broccoli florets in a large bowl and drizzle the oil on top. Then add the seasoning and toss to coat thoroughly.
- Cook the broccoli. Evenly place the broccoli on the air fryer basket. Then cook it for either 10 minutes (in an oven air fryer) or 5 minutes (in a basket air fryer). Then serve.
How long does it take to cook in an air fryer?
Depending on what type of air fryer you have, the cook time will vary. Typically, the oven air fryer takes a little longer than the basket air fryer.
Best air fryer for broccoli
Both air fryers get good results, but they are a little different. The oven air fryer takes longer because even though it uses a fan to circulate the hot air like a basket style air fryer does, the fan moves slower. The basket style is the best one to use for broccoli, not just because of the quicker cook time, but because the basket enables more even cooking as the air reaches the undersides of the broccoli as well as the tops and sides.
Seasoning variations
- Lemon juice, garlic, olive oil- For a more citrusy and fresh taste.
- Garlic, red pepper flakes, olive oil- To add some spice to your broccoli.
- Soy sauce, garlic- Broccoli tastes great with these Asian flavors.
How long will roasted broccoli keep
Roasted broccoli will last for 3-5 days in the refrigerator, stored in a shallow airtight container. If you find you have quite a bit extra, you can also repurpose it, using it in other dishes like quiche lorraine and quinoa fried rice.
How to reheat it
In order to reheat this broccoli and keep it crispy, just use the air fryer again. Just as you did the first time, cook the broccoli in the air fryer for about 2-3 minutes and then serve.
What goes well with broccoli?
- Ribeye steak– Steak infused with flavors of garlic and butter
- Grilled teriyaki chicken– Asian teriyaki-flavored chicken
- Shrimp scampi pasta- Garlicky shrimp and pasta
More Air fryer recipes to try!
- Air fryer pork chops
- Easy shrimp
- Air fryer zucchini fries
- Crispy french fries
- Air fryer Bacon
- Steak bites
- air fryer asparagus, and Brussels sprouts
- Breaded Air fryer chicken tenders
- Air fryer chicken thighs
- Perfect Air fryer salmon
- Air fryer baked potato
Air Fryer Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 lb Broccoli
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Rinse and chop your broccoli into florets. Make sure to pat it dry really well or the extra moisture won’t let them crisp in the air fryer
- In a separate small bowl combine the garlic powder salt and black pepper.
- No place the broccoli in a large bowl and drizzle olive oil over it along with the spices. Then toss to combine. 
- Evenly spread the broccoli onto your air fryer basket. Then air fry on high for 10 minutes if you're using the oven air fryer. Or 5 minutes and the basket type of air fryer.
Notes
- Ribeye steak- Steak infused with flavors of garlic and butter
- Grilled teriyaki chicken- Asian teriyaki-flavored chicken
- Shrimp scampi pasta- Garlicky shrimp and pasta
Nutrition
- Shrimp Alfredo Pasta - July 31, 2021
- Blackened Chicken Alfredo - July 29, 2021
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus - July 28, 2021
Dawn says
Can I use frozen broccoli for this recipe?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Dawn 🙂 Yes, you can use frozen broccoli for this recipe. You don’t have to let them thaw out if you don’t want too. The hot circulating air will help dry out the extra moisture. Hope you love this air fryer broccoli recipe! Let me know how it goes 🙂