Learn how to make air fryer broccoli with this delicious recipe. With our signature seasoning & tips, this easy Air Fryer Parmesan Broccoli is bound to be your new favorite side dish!
I know that it’s kind of a blogging cliche for people to start their recipe posts by saying things like “my husband/child/goldfish hates x but they love this recipe!”
But, like…my daughter hates broccoli and she loves this air fryer broccoli recipe.
Air fryer broccoli is VERY different from steamed or boiled broccoli. The air circulation means that you get tender florets with some delightfully crispy bits around the edges. It’s like roasting, but without turning on the oven!
Add in some delicious seasonings and you might just find yourself polishing off most of a batch all by yourself before dinner. Not that I’m speaking from personal experience. (*cough*)
This quick & easy side dish recipe comes together with just a few simple ingredients…
Simple Ingredients To Start
Other than the delicious flavor & texture, one thing I love about this easy air fryer broccoli recipe is that you only need a handful of ingredients to make it! We’re just using a few simple staples to elevate the flavor! Let’s take a look at what you’ll need.
- Broccoli. First, we’ll start with fresh broccoli florets. (I haven’t tried this method with frozen broccoli yet!) Starting with a whole head of broccoli? Learn how to cut a broccoli crown into florets with this tutorial!
- A Little Olive Oil. Next up is olive oil. I know it’s tempting to skip the oil, but a little oil is crucial for the texture here. Don’t skimp!
- Parmesan Cheese (Maybe). If you tolerate dairy, I recommend making this into air fryer parmesan broccoli by adding some finely grated parmesan cheese. It melts and toasts as the broccoli cooks, so you get delicious cheesy, umami notes. YUM!
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper. Adding a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper might seem basic, but they make a big difference in flavor!
- Garlic Powder. I love adding a little garlic for another savory note.
- Maybe Some Extras. Then, you can play with the flavor from here by adding your favorite extras! (More on this in a bit–see the Variations section below!)
Need An Air Fryer? We Love This One!
If you’re new to air frying or need a suggestion, we’ve owned two different air fryers, and our favorite has been this 5-quart Air Fryer. It’s cute enough to keep on the counter if we need to, it’s quieter than our other air fryer, and it has a pretty big capacity, so we don’t have to cook things in batches as often. It’s been great for our family of 4!
How To Make Air Fryer Broccoli, Step By Step
As always, you can find the full recipe, with ingredient amounts, detailed instructions, and tips in the recipe card below!
- Preheat Air Fryer To 400 degrees F. (Honestly, don’t stress if you forget. But if you remember, turn it on to preheat while you trim the broccoli.)
- Cut Florets. To start, cut any larger pieces of broccoli in half, as needed, so most of the broccoli is roughly the same size. (It’s ok if some pieces are smaller!)
- Combine. Add broccoli florets to a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Gently stir with a spatula until everything is well coated.
- Cook. Working in batches (so that it’s in a single layer) place broccoli florets in the air fryer (I like to line mine with a parchment liner for easy clean-up!). Cook 3-5 minutes, then stir and cook 2-3 minutes more, or until broccoli is tender, with some caramelized, toasty bits and crisp edges. (A little browning is good–you just don’t want black!)
- Repeat. Transfer cooked broccoli to a clean plate or serving bowl, and repeat this process until all the broccoli is cooked.
- Serve & Store. Enjoy broccoli right away, garnishing with red pepper flakes or a squeeze of lemon juice, as desired.
Serve this flavorful broccoli with your favorite main dish recipes! It’s awesome with comforting classics like Gluten-Free Meatloaf, Pot Roast, or Cheesy Baked Ziti, but can also pair beautifully with weeknight favorites like Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders, Classic Spaghetti, or Glazed Salmon.
Air Fryer Broccoli Quick Facts
- What Air Fryer Do You Use? We actually have 2 (#foodblogger), but I love our newest addition–this 5-quart Air Fryer. It’s cute (for an air fryer!), cooks evenly, is quieter than many, and has been pretty easy to clean.
- How Long To Cook Air Fryer Broccoli? We recommend 5-8 minutes total–cooking 5-7 minutes initially, then a quick stir and cooking 3-4 minutes more if you like crispier edges.
- What Temperature To Cook Air Fryer Broccoli? We prefer high heat–400 degrees F in our fryer. (If your fryer runs hot, feel free to reduce the temperature to 380-390 degrees F.)
Variations & Twists To Try
Now that you know how to make Air Fryer Broccoli, we can talk about variations! Here are a few twists to try when you’re craving something different:
- Sprinkle On Lemon Zest. Turn up the lemon flavor in this simple side dish by adding some fresh lemon zest right before serving. (Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and you’ll be in lemon heaven!)
- Add a Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes. For some warmth or a little extra heat, add a little (or big!) sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Try Fresh Garlic. Swap the garlic powder for finely minced fresh garlic. It’ll be more punchy, but it’s great for garlic lovers!
- Use Flavored Oil. Another yummy twist is to swap all or part of your regular olive oil for a seasoned or flavored option. We love the oils from Queen Creek Olive Mill! (Meyer Lemon is a favorite!)
- Swap The Seasoning. Feel free to play with the seasonings here! Add a pinch of chili powder, some onion powder, garlic salt, sesame seeds, seasoned salt, or a pre-made blend from the grocery store (Italian seasoning, herb seasoning, etc.). You can even add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or soy sauce depending on what you’re serving the broccoli with!
FAQ + Tips And Tricks For The Best air Fryer Broccoli
Don’t Crowd The Pan! The secret to the best air fryer broccoli is to work in batches and not overcrowd the fryer. Add broccoli florets in a single layer and leave some room for the air to circulate around them–you don’t want them packed in too tight!
Try A Parchment Liner! For easy clean up, I’m a big fan of parchment paper air fryer liners. They protect the air fryer tray from getting as dirty without impacting the air flow. It’s a great way to make your life even easier!
Does This Work For Cauliflower Too? Yes! We love a similar method for cauliflower.
Why Did My Broccoli Burn In The Air Fryer? There are a main things to keep an eye out for:
- Did It Really Burn? First, keep in mind that–like roasted broccoli–air fryer broccoli WILL get some browning/caramelization along those crispy edges. It’s a delicious perk! You WANT *some* browning. What we’re NOT going for is black. A little brown? Not burned. Black? Probably burned.
- Air Fryer Temperature. Just like home ovens, some air fryers don’t run to their stated temperature. We’ve suggested 400 degrees F, but if you find your air fryer runs hot, feel free to reduce the temperature to 380-390 degrees F.
- Broccoli Floret Size. Another thing can be the size of your florets. If your broccoli florets are on the small side, we suggest reducing the cook time by 2-3 minutes.
- Check On Them! Lastly, it can be easy to forget about broccoli in the air fryer. Make sure you check on the broccoli to see how it’s coming, and set a timer so you don’t accidentally let it go too long!
Recipe Card
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Air Fryer Parmesan Broccoli
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
My new favorite way to eat broccoli! Our quick & easy recipe for air fryer broccoli is done in just a few minutes! This simple, healthy side dish is perfect for a busy night.
Ingredients
- 1 (12 ounce) package broccoli florets (or 1 large head broccoli, cut into florets)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional–skip for dairy-free)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Optional, For Serving: red pepper flakes, lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer To 400 degrees F. (Honestly, don’t stress if you forget. But if you remember, turn it on to preheat while you trim the broccoli.)
- Cut Florets. To start, make sure the broccoli florets are roughly the same size so they cook evenly. Cut any large florets in half, as needed so most of the broccoli is roughly the same size. (It’s ok if some are smaller!)
- Combine. Add broccoli florets to a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Gently stir with a spatula until everything is well coated.
- Cook. Working in batches (so that it’s in a single layer) add broccoli florets to the air fryer (I like to line mine with a parchment liner for easy clean-up!). Cook 5-7 minutes, then stir and cook 3-4 minutes more (IF NEEDED), or until broccoli is tender, with some caramelized, toasty bits. (A little browning is good–you just don’t want black!)
- Repeat this process until all the broccoli is cooked.
- Serve & Store. Enjoy broccoli right away, garnishing with red pepper flakes or a squeeze of lemon juice, as desired. Store leftover broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator 2-3 days for best results.
Notes
- Oven Directions: To make this in a traditional oven instead, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place broccoli in a single, even layer on a lightly greased baking sheet and roast 4-5 minutes. Stir/flip broccoli and cook 2-3 minutes more, or until broccoli is tender.
- Air Fryer Temperature. Just like home ovens, some air fryers don’t run to their stated temperature. We’ve suggested 400 degrees F, but if you find your air fryer runs hot, feel free to reduce the temperature to 380-390 degrees F.
- Cook Time. If you prefer LESS browning, you may opt to skip the extra 3-4 minutes I recommend. Similarly, if your broccoli florets are pretty small, you may want to reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
This air-fried broccoli got to the perfect texture. The cheese made a gentle crust that made my mouth feel happy. Easy to make and clean up. A great side dish that my kids will actually eat.
Emily, this was extraordinary! I air-fried the broccoli 2 minutes longer at 450 at the end to get it extra crispy, but otherwise followed your instructions exactly. Thank you for such an easy, wonderful recipe.
Ooh, yum! So glad you loved it!