Roasted broccoli is easy to make in the air fryer in just 10 minutes! Perfect alongside just about any main course and easily customizable too, this nutritious veggie dish is also a hit with all types of eaters including the kiddos!

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close-up of broccoli on a white plate with two forks toward the top of the plate

Why you'll love this air fryer broccoli recipe

Requiring just 2 ingredients (broccoli and olive oil) plus salt and pepper, this air fryer broccoli is quick and easy to make! In fact, it's ready in half the time of my oven-roasted broccoli and you don't have to heat up the oven or your house.
Air frying the broccoli gives it the same crispy edges/tender middle as oven-roasting and brings out an amazing flavor you just can't get from steaming or sautéing.
Air fried broccoli is perfect as a side with your favorite main course, mixed into pasta, or as a pizza topping!
On its own, broccoli is low in calories but high in fiber. It's also a good source of vitamins and minerals such as folate, vitamin C and manganese.

close-up overhead of broccoli on a white plate with two forks on the plate

How to make broccoli in an air fryer

Cut broccoli into florets of similar size.

Add broccoli florets to a mixing bowl and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper to combine.

broccoli florets on a wooden cutting board

broccoli florets in mixing bowl tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper

If your air fryer has a separate elevated crisping tray or plate, be sure to insert it.

For example, my Ninja air fryer comes with a crisper plate that fits right into the basket.

Add the broccoli to the air fryer basket.

Air fry at 390° F for 7-10 minutes until desired crispiness is reached, shaking the basket every 2-3 minutes to prevent burning.

broccoli florets added to air fryer basket

broccoli florets after cooking in the air fryer

Tips

Be sure the broccoli florets are similar in size as this will promote even cooking.
The longer you cook the broccoli, the more crispy it will get. Just be aware that it can go from crispy to burnt very quickly.
Smaller florets will take less time to cook and crisp up faster versus larger ones.

overhead of broccoli in a white plate after cooking with two forks blurred out toward top right

Storing and reheating

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, leftover broccoli will last for about 3-5 days.

The broccoli is best reheated in the air fryer at 350° F for a few minutes until hot. Just be sure to check it so that it doesn't burn.

Alternately, you can also microwave the leftovers but note that the broccoli will not be as crispy.

Variations

Add a garlicky flavor by tossing the broccoli with garlic-infused oil or ¼ teaspoon garlic powder before cooking.
Add a lemony flavor by tossing with lemon-infused olive oil before cooking or after cooking, squirt on some fresh lemon juice and sprinkle on some lemon zest.
After cooking, top with some vegan Parmesan cheese, store-bought or this homemade pumpkin seed Parm. If you're not vegan or dairy-free, you can choose a dairy-based Parm instead.
Pour on some vegan cheese sauce or vegan béchamel.
For a hint of heat, try garnishing with some crushed red pepper flakes.

overhead shot of air fryer broccoli on a white plate with two forks on the plate

More air fried veggies

close-up overhead of broccoli on a white plate with two forks

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5 from 44 votes

Air Fryer Broccoli

Roasted broccoli is easy to make in just 10 minutes in the air fryer! Perfect alongside just about any main course and easily customizable too, this nutritious veggie dish is also a hit with all types of eaters including the kiddos!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Gluten-Free, Vegan

Keyword air fryer, broccoli, gluten free, vegan, vegetables, vegetarian

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 7

Total Time 12

Servings

Calories 80kcal

Author Sireesha A.

Ingredients

12-16 oz fresh broccoli florets, *similarly sized
1 ½ tablespoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Add broccoli florets to a mixing bowl and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper to combine.
If your air fryer has a separate elevated crisping tray or plate, be sure to insert it. Add the broccoli to the air fryer basket. Air fry at 390° F for 7-10 minutes until desired crispiness is reached, shaking the basket every 2-3 minutes to prevent burning. Season with more salt if desired.

(Please refer to the post above for instructional photographs and other helpful information for this recipe)

Suggested Equipment/Tools

Air Fryer

Notes

*If you are using pre-cut packaged broccoli, be sure to cut any large florets into smaller ones.

Leftover broccoli can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave or in the air fryer until warmed throughout.

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Accuracy is not guaranteed. Information shown should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Nutrition

©Watch Learn Eat. All content and images are copyright protected. Recipes and photos are not to be used or republished without prior permission. If you adapt this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, and link back to this post for the original recipe.

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