Air-Fryer Broccoli: A Quick, Healthy Treat

Yes, you can cook broccoli in an air fryer! It's a quick and easy way to cook the vegetable, taking under 10 minutes in most cases. To make air fryer broccoli, toss the florets with a simple seasoning and olive oil, and then pop them into the air fryer. You can also add a sprinkle of thyme, grated parmesan cheese, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

How long to cook broccoli in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook broccoli in an air fryer! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

How to Cook Broccoli in an Air Fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Broccoli

Cut the broccoli into florets. You can also use frozen broccoli, but make sure you don't thaw it first as this will affect the crispiness of the florets.

Step 2: Season the Broccoli

In a large mixing bowl, toss the broccoli florets with a generous drizzle of olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like thyme, red pepper flakes, or grated Parmesan cheese to taste. Make sure the broccoli is well-coated for even cooking.

Step 3: Arrange the Broccoli in the Air Fryer

Transfer the seasoned broccoli to the air fryer basket, ensuring it is arranged in a single layer with some space around each floret. This will help the broccoli cook evenly and prevent steaming. If your air fryer basket is too small, you may need to cook the broccoli in batches.

Step 4: Cook the Broccoli

Set the air fryer temperature to between 350°F and 390°F (depending on your preference and the model of your air fryer). Cook the broccoli for 7 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. If you prefer softer broccoli, add 1 tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket before cooking.

Tips for Cooking Broccoli in an Air Fryer:

• Keep the florets on the larger side to ensure even cooking. Smaller florets may burn before the stalks are tender.
• Don't skimp on the olive oil, as it helps the broccoli become tender and prevents burning.
• If using frozen broccoli, there is no need to thaw it first. It may just need a few extra minutes to cook through completely.
• For crispy garlic parmesan broccoli, add minced garlic and grated Parmesan cheese to the seasoning mixture before cooking.

Seasoning broccoli for an air fryer

For a basic seasoning, you will need:

• 1 head of broccoli, cut into florets
• 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper

Firstly, combine the broccoli florets, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Toss the ingredients together to ensure the broccoli is evenly coated. Then, transfer the broccoli to the air fryer basket, ensuring it is arranged in a single layer with space around each floret. Set the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) and cook for 7 to 9 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

You can also experiment with different seasonings and ingredients to add extra flavour to your broccoli. Some suggestions include:

• Thyme
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Lemon juice
• Tamari
• Red pepper flakes
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Ranch seasoning
• Lemon pepper seasoning
• All-purpose seasoning

Can you use frozen broccoli in an air fryer?

Yes, you can use frozen broccoli in an air fryer! In fact, it's a great way to cook frozen broccoli, as it tends to become soggy and mushy when microwaved, steamed, or sautéed. Air frying frozen broccoli is much quicker than roasting it, and you'll be left with perfectly golden brown florets with a slight crisp.

The key to air frying frozen broccoli is to not thaw it beforehand. You can cook it directly from frozen in the air fryer, which saves time and actually improves the outcome. To prepare the broccoli, simply toss the frozen florets with oil and your desired seasonings in a large bowl. Make sure everything is well combined and the florets are evenly coated.

Then, place the seasoned broccoli in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the broccoli in batches to ensure it cooks evenly. Set your air fryer to 380-400°F and cook the broccoli for 6-7 minutes. Then, remove the basket, give it a good shake, and add in any smaller florets that you set aside earlier. Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the broccoli is lightly browned with crispy edges.

You can customise the seasonings to your liking, but a simple combination of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper works well. You can also add spices like smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, or red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.

So, if you're looking for a quick, easy, and healthy side dish, give air fryer frozen broccoli a try!

How to prevent broccoli from getting mushy in an air fryer

Air fryer broccoli is a quick, easy, and healthy side dish. In just 10 minutes, you can have tender broccoli with irresistibly crispy edges. However, if not cooked properly, your broccoli can turn out mushy. Here are some tips to prevent that from happening:

Don't Crowd the Air Fryer Basket

If you crowd the air fryer basket with too much broccoli, it will steam instead of air fry, resulting in mushy broccoli. Make sure to arrange the broccoli florets in a single layer with some space in between each one. If your florets don't all fit in one layer, cook in batches.

Cut Equal-Sized Florets

To ensure even cooking, cut your broccoli into equal-sized florets. This guarantees that all the broccoli will be ready at the same time. If you have some large florets and some small ones, the smaller ones may burn before the larger ones are tender.

Use Fresh Broccoli

Fresh broccoli has less moisture than frozen broccoli. Frozen broccoli will not get as crispy due to its higher moisture content. It may also need additional time to cook through, which can lead to mushiness.

Don't Overcook

Broccoli only needs about 7-10 minutes in the air fryer. Keep an eye on it and check it halfway through. You can then determine how much longer it needs to cook.

Add Water for More Tender Broccoli

If you like your broccoli on the softer side, add a tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to create a steaming effect. This will help the broccoli cook more evenly and prevent it from drying out and turning mushy.

What to serve with air fryer broccoli

Air fryer broccoli is a quick, easy, and healthy side dish that can be served with a variety of main courses. Here are some ideas on what to serve with air fryer broccoli:

Grain Bowls

Add air fryer broccoli to a grain bowl with a base of quinoa, brown rice, or white rice. Include a protein source such as tofu or baked tempeh, and top it off with a punchy sauce like gochujang, peanut sauce, or sesame ginger dressing.

Noodle Bowls

Toss air fryer broccoli with cashew broccoli soba noodles, sesame soba noodles, or create your own noodle bowl with your choice of noodles and favourite ingredients.

Crispy Sesame Tofu and Cilantro Lime Rice

The crispiness and savoury garlic flavour of air fryer broccoli complement crispy sesame tofu and cilantro lime rice for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Air Fryer Cauliflower

For a vegetarian feast, serve air fryer broccoli with air fryer cauliflower. Both dishes can be seasoned similarly, such as with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt, for a cohesive and tasty meal.

Proteins

Air fryer broccoli can be paired with various proteins such as chicken, salmon, or tofu. For instance, you could serve it with air fryer chicken wings or air fryer salmon for a healthy and tasty meal.

Frequently asked questions