Air-Fryer Hacks: Frozen Broccoli, A Quick And Healthy Treat

Yes, you can cook frozen broccoli in an air fryer! It's a quick, easy, and delicious way to cook frozen broccoli, and it can be done in a few simple steps. First, preheat your air fryer to around 380-400°F. Then, in a bowl, toss the frozen broccoli florets in oil and your choice of seasonings. Place the seasoned broccoli into the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 6-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. You'll have a tasty, crispy, and healthy side dish in no time!

How to cook frozen broccoli in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Frozen broccoli florets
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to between 380-400°F for around 5 minutes.
• Place the frozen broccoli florets into a bowl and drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss the florets to ensure they are evenly coated.
• Place the florets into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Try not to overcrowd the basket as this can make the broccoli soggy.
• Air fry for around 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. If you want your broccoli to be extra crispy, add another minute or two to the cooking time.
• Serve immediately. You can sprinkle with parmesan cheese for extra flavour, if desired.

Air fryer frozen broccoli recipe and ingredients

Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli: A Quick, Easy, and Delicious Side Dish

Ingredients:

• Frozen broccoli florets (a 16oz/454g bag should be enough for a 6-quart air fryer basket)
• Olive oil or avocado oil (for coating the broccoli)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Optional seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, etc.

Recipe:

• Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F (some recipes recommend a higher temperature for crispier broccoli).
• In a large bowl, toss the frozen broccoli florets with oil and your desired seasonings. Ensure everything is evenly coated.
• Place the seasoned broccoli in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can lead to uneven cooking.
• Air fry for 6-10 minutes, then shake the basket and continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes, or until the broccoli is crispy and lightly browned.
• Serve immediately.

Tips:

• For extra crispy broccoli, avoid thawing the broccoli before cooking. Cooking from frozen helps prevent sogginess.
• Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking and browning.
• If you want to reduce cleanup time, line the bottom of the air fryer basket with foil paper. This may affect the crispness of the broccoli slightly.
• Get creative with your seasonings! You can try different combinations like lemon pepper, garlic parmesan, spicy, or everything bagel seasoning.

Tips for making frozen broccoli in an air fryer

Preheat your air fryer

Preheat your air fryer for at least 5 minutes at 380–390 °F. Some sources recommend a temperature of 400 °F.

Prepare the broccoli

Place your frozen broccoli florets in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil or avocado oil and toss to coat. You can also add lemon juice to taste.

Season the broccoli

Sprinkle your broccoli with seasonings of your choice. Suggested seasonings include salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese.

Arrange the broccoli in the air fryer

Arrange the broccoli in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Leave a little space between florets to allow hot air to circulate. If necessary, cook the broccoli in multiple batches.

Cook the broccoli

Cook the broccoli for 8–10 minutes at 380–400 °F, shaking the basket halfway through. For crispier broccoli, cook for an additional 1–2 minutes.

Serve immediately

Air fryer frozen broccoli is best enjoyed right after cooking so none of the crisp is lost.

How long to air fry frozen broccoli

Yes, you can cook frozen broccoli in an air fryer. It's a quick and easy way to cook a healthy side dish.

Air fryers vary, but you should expect to air fry frozen broccoli for somewhere between 6 and 20 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the result you want (how crispy you like your broccoli), the quantity of broccoli, and the size of the florets.

• 6 minutes, then remove the basket and add in the small florets, then cook for another 5-6 minutes
• 8 minutes, then shake the basket and cook for another 6 minutes
• 5 minutes, then stir and shake the basket, then air fry for another 5 minutes
• 10-20 minutes, stirring at least once
• 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through
• 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through

Tips for cooking frozen broccoli in an air fryer

• Don't defrost the broccoli before cooking. This can make it soggy.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. This can cause the broccoli to steam instead of roast.
• Shake the basket at least once during cooking to promote even cooking and browning.
• Line the basket with foil for easier cleaning, but be aware this may affect how the hot air circulates.

Air fryer frozen broccoli and cheese

Ingredients:

• Frozen broccoli florets
• Olive oil spray or avocado oil spray
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Parmesan cheese
• Nutritional yeast (optional)
• Cheddar cheese (shredded)
• Water
• Breadcrumbs (optional)

Method:

• Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. This will help the broccoli florets not stick to the bottom.
• Place the frozen broccoli florets into the air fryer basket.
• Spray the broccoli with olive oil spray, then sprinkle on salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Give it a good stir or shake to help mix the spices around.
• Air fry the broccoli at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-20 minutes, stirring at least once, until the desired level of crispiness is achieved.
• Sprinkle on some parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast (for vegans) and stir.
• For an extra cheesy treat, you can add shredded cheddar cheese to the broccoli. Simply toss the broccoli with the cheese after air frying and return to the air fryer for a few minutes until the cheese is melted.
• Alternatively, you can pre-cook the broccoli in the microwave with a little water before tossing it with the cheese and placing it in the air fryer. This will give you a more roasted texture.
• For a crunchy topping, sprinkle a mixture of breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese on top before air frying.

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