Air Fryer Broccolini: How Long To Cook?

Air fryer broccoli is a quick and easy dish to make, requiring just a few simple ingredients and seasonings. The cooking time varies depending on the size of the florets and the desired level of crispiness, but on average, it takes around 6-12 minutes to cook broccoli in an air fryer. The air fryer is a great way to get crispy, tender broccoli without having to heat up your oven, and it concentrates the natural sweetness of the stalks while giving the tips a caramelized flavor.

How to get the best seasoning

To get the best seasoning for your broccolini, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, ensure that your broccolini is washed and dried thoroughly. Excess water will cause it to steam instead of achieving that desired crispy texture.

Next, prepare your seasoning mixture. A simple combination of olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder will do the trick. You can also add in other seasonings like onion powder, thyme, or grated parmesan cheese for extra flavour. If you want to get creative, you can even add in some minced garlic and lemon juice for a zesty twist.

Now, it's time to toss the broccolini with the seasoning mixture. Make sure that each floret is well-coated so that every bite is packed with flavour.

Finally, arrange the seasoned broccolini in a single layer in your air fryer basket. This step is crucial as overcrowding the basket will cause the broccolini to steam instead of getting crispy.

By following these steps and choosing your preferred seasonings, you'll be well on your way to creating a delicious and well-seasoned broccolini dish!

How to prevent burning

To prevent burning, you can try a few different methods. Firstly, ensure you are using the correct temperature and timing. Broccoli cooks quickly in an air fryer, and the timing varies depending on the size of your florets, with smaller florets cooking faster. As a guide, cook your broccoli at around 350°F to 400°F for 6 to 12 minutes. Shake the basket or toss the broccoli halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Secondly, ensure your broccoli florets are well-coated with oil and seasonings. This will help them cook evenly and prevent burning. Use your hands to work the oil and seasonings into the tops of the florets, as these are most prone to burning. You can use olive oil, or a light coating of olive oil spray.

Thirdly, cut your broccoli into evenly-sized florets. This will ensure that all the broccoli cooks at the same rate. Aim for small to medium-sized florets, as these will cook faster and more evenly.

Finally, you can add a tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket. This will create some steam, helping to prevent burning and smoking. However, some cooks disagree with this method, as they feel it prevents the broccoli from crisping up.

By following these steps, you can help prevent your broccoli from burning in the air fryer and achieve the perfect level of crispness and doneness.

How to cook frozen broccoli

Firstly, it is important to note that you should not thaw the broccoli before cooking. This can make the florets soggy and they won't crisp up as well. Instead, you should cook the broccoli directly from frozen.

Step One: Preheat your air fryer to at least 380°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.

Step Two: In a bowl, add your seasonings and oil to the frozen broccoli. Make sure to stir or toss everything together well so that the oil and seasoning are evenly distributed. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

Step Three: For more even cooking, separate out the smaller florets and set them aside. These smaller florets can burn more quickly, so you will add them to the air fryer halfway through the cooking process.

Step Four: Spray your air fryer basket with avocado oil or olive oil spray. Place the broccoli in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring the florets are not overcrowded. This helps to prevent steaming and promotes even cooking.

Step Five: Air fry the broccoli for 6 minutes, then remove the basket and add in the smaller florets. Shake the basket well and put it back in the air fryer for another 5-6 minutes, or until the broccoli is lightly browned with crispy edges.

You can serve the broccoli as a side dish or add it to grain bowls or noodle bowls. For extra flavor, sprinkle on some parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, or toasted sesame seeds.

How to prevent broccoli from getting mushy

To prevent broccoli from getting mushy in an air fryer, avoid overcrowding the basket. If the florets are packed in too tightly, the broccoli will steam rather than air fry, and you'll be left with a mushy texture. Instead, cook the broccoli in batches, ensuring that the florets are arranged in a single layer with some space around each one.

Another tip to avoid mushy broccoli is to avoid using frozen broccoli. Frozen broccoli contains too much excess water, and will result in super soft florets that won't crisp up easily. If you do use frozen broccoli, don't thaw it before air frying, and be aware that it may need a few extra minutes to cook through.

If you're looking for a specific cook time and temperature to avoid mushy broccoli, try setting your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) and cooking for 7 to 9 minutes. Give the basket a shake halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking, and check to see how done your broccoli is. You can then determine how much longer to continue cooking.

How to reheat broccoli

Firstly, it is important to note that the best way to reheat broccoli is to use an air fryer. This method will ensure that the broccoli is heated through evenly and that it retains its crispy texture. Simply place the broccoli in the air fryer basket and heat it for 3-5 minutes at around 375°F (190°C) until it is warmed through.

If you are using an air fryer to reheat your broccoli, it is important to note that you should not overcrowd the basket. Make sure that the broccoli is arranged in a single layer with some space around each floret. This will allow the hot air to circulate properly and ensure even heating.

If you are reheating a large batch of broccoli, you may need to work in batches to ensure that it is all heated through properly. Alternatively, you can use two air fryer baskets if you have them, or you can reheat the broccoli in an oven.

If you are using an oven to reheat your broccoli, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Spread the broccoli out on a baking sheet in a single layer and heat it for 5-10 minutes, or until it is warmed through.

It is worth noting that reheating broccoli in the oven may not produce the same crispy texture as using an air fryer. The broccoli may become slightly softer, but it will still taste delicious.

When reheating broccoli, it is important not to overheat it, as this can cause it to become dry and lose its flavour. Keep an eye on the broccoli while it is heating and remove it from the heat as soon as it is warmed through.

Additionally, if you are reheating broccoli that has been frozen, it is important to ensure that it is completely thawed before reheating. Frozen broccoli will release moisture during the reheating process, which can make it soggy.

Finally, if you want to add some extra flavour to your reheated broccoli, you can try tossing it with some olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper before reheating. You could also sprinkle it with Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast for an extra tasty treat!

Frequently asked questions