Air-Frying Broccoli: How Long Does It Take?

Air fryer broccoli is a quick, easy, and healthy side dish that can be whipped up in under 10 minutes. The cooking time depends on the size of the broccoli florets and the desired crispiness, but generally, it takes around 6-10 minutes to cook broccoli in an air fryer. The key to getting crispy broccoli is to ensure that the florets are evenly coated in oil and seasonings and arranged in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

How long to cook frozen broccoli in an air fryer

Air-frying is a great way to cook frozen broccoli. It's quick, easy, and results in broccoli that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Here is a guide on how to do it:

Preparation

First, gather your ingredients and tools. You will need frozen broccoli florets, olive oil or avocado oil, and seasonings of your choice such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, or red pepper flakes. You will also need an air fryer and a large mixing bowl.

Once you have your ingredients and tools, follow these steps:

• Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or avocado oil spray. This will help prevent the broccoli from sticking to the basket.
• Place the frozen broccoli florets into the air fryer basket. It is recommended to cook the broccoli straight from frozen, without thawing, to achieve the best texture.
• Spray the broccoli with olive oil or avocado oil spray, and then sprinkle on your desired seasonings. Give the basket a shake or stir to ensure the broccoli is evenly coated.

Cooking

Now, you are ready to cook your frozen broccoli in the air fryer:

• Set the temperature of your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F.
• Cook the broccoli for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of your florets and the desired level of crispiness. Smaller florets will cook faster, so keep a close eye on them to avoid burning.
• Stir or shake the basket at least once during cooking to ensure even cooking.
• Check the broccoli after 5 minutes, and then continue cooking until it reaches your desired level of doneness.

Serving

Once your broccoli is cooked to your liking, you can serve it immediately. You can also sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast for extra flavor. Air-fried broccoli goes well as a side dish or added to grain bowls or noodle bowls. It can also be used as a substitute for raw broccoli in salads.

Air fryer temperature for broccoli

Air fryer broccoli is a quick, healthy, and tasty side dish. It's a great way to ensure you get your veggies in, no matter how short on time you are. In just 10 minutes, broccoli in the air fryer turns out crispy and juicy.

Ingredients

• Broccoli florets
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Tamari (optional)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Sesame seeds (optional)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Method

• Toss the broccoli florets with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a large bowl. You can also add tamari for a savoury, umami flavour.
• Place the broccoli in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there is a little space between each floret.
• Set the air fryer temperature to between 350°F and 390°F (180°C to 200°C).
• Air fry for 7 to 10 minutes, flipping the florets halfway through.

Tips

• For softer, steamed broccoli, add 1 tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket before cooking.
• For crispier broccoli, use fresh broccoli instead of frozen.
• If your air fryer basket is crowded, the broccoli will steam and soften, so it's best to cook the broccoli in batches if necessary.
• For extra flavour, add freshly grated parmesan cheese in the last 4 minutes of cooking.

Air fryer broccoli with garlic

Ingredients:

• Broccoli florets
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Sesame seeds (optional)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Method:

• In a large mixing bowl, toss the broccoli florets with a drizzle of olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Ensure that the broccoli is well-coated.
• Place the broccoli in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between each floret. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this will cause the broccoli to steam instead of crisp.
• Set the air fryer to 350°F-390°F and cook for 7 to 10 minutes. Flip the florets halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
• For a softer texture, add 1 tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket before cooking.
• For an extra crispy and cheesy touch, sprinkle parmesan cheese over the broccoli during the last 4 minutes of cooking.
• Serve hot as a side dish or add it to grain bowls, noodle bowls, or pasta dishes.

Tips:

• For the best results, use fresh broccoli instead of frozen. Fresh broccoli will have a crispier texture.
• Cut the florets into equal-sized pieces to promote even cooking.
• If you prefer a stronger garlic flavour, use fresh minced garlic instead of garlic powder.
• If you want to add some crunch to your broccoli, sprinkle it with toasted sesame seeds.
• For a flavour boost, add lemon juice, lemon zest, or grated parmesan cheese.

How to avoid burning broccoli in an air fryer

Air-fried broccoli is a quick, healthy, and delicious side dish. However, it can quickly go from crispy to burnt if you're not careful. Here are some tips to help you avoid burning your broccoli in the air fryer:

Use Fresh Broccoli:

While you can air fry frozen broccoli, it's best to use fresh broccoli whenever possible. Frozen broccoli has a higher moisture content and won't get as crispy. If you do use frozen broccoli, avoid thawing it before air frying, as this will result in softer florets that won't crisp up easily.

Cut Broccoli into Equal-Sized Florets:

Try to cut your broccoli into evenly sized florets to promote even cooking. Bigger florets tend to cook more evenly in the air fryer because they need more time to crisp up on top. If your florets are too small, they may burn before the stalks become tender.

Don't Crowd the Air Fryer Basket:

Arrange the broccoli in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each floret. If your basket is too crowded, the broccoli will steam and soften instead of getting crispy. If necessary, cook the broccoli in batches to ensure proper airflow.

Use Enough Oil:

Coat the broccoli florets well with olive oil. Oil helps the broccoli become tender and promotes browning. If you don't use enough oil, the broccoli may burn instead of browning. Use your hands to work the oil into the tops of the florets to ensure even coverage.

Keep an Eye on Cooking Time:

Air fryers can vary, so it's important to keep an eye on your broccoli as it cooks. The cooking time for broccoli in an air fryer is typically around 7 to 10 minutes at temperatures between 350°F and 390°F. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. Check the broccoli at the halfway point, and adjust the remaining cooking time as needed.

Add Water for More Tender Broccoli:

If you prefer your broccoli on the softer side, you can add a tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket before cooking. This will create a steaming effect and help prevent burning.

Serve Immediately:

Air-fried broccoli is best served fresh. If you let it sit too long, it will lose its crispiness and become soggy.

By following these tips, you can enjoy perfectly cooked, crispy, and tender broccoli from your air fryer without worrying about burning it.

How to reheat air fryer broccoli

Reheating air fryer broccoli is simple and quick. If you have any leftover broccoli, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.

To reheat, simply pop the broccoli back into the air fryer or microwave for around 30 seconds to a couple of minutes, until warmed through. If you want to retain the broccoli's crispy texture, it's best to reheat it in the air fryer.

If you're reheating a larger batch of broccoli, you may need to cook it in batches to ensure even heating.

Frequently asked questions