Air-Fryer Baby Broccoli: Quick, Easy, And Healthy

Cooking baby broccoli in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a tasty side dish. You can cook baby broccoli in an air fryer in a single layer at 390 degrees F for 5 minutes or at 350 degrees F for 7 minutes. For a crispier texture, you can cook it for longer at a lower temperature. You can also add different seasonings to make it your own, such as red pepper flakes, sesame seeds, or Parmesan cheese.

How to prepare baby broccoli for the air fryer

To prepare baby broccoli for the air fryer, start by rinsing the broccolini under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. Then, pat the baby broccoli completely dry with a paper towel or clean dish towel. Next, trim the ends of the broccolini and cut the broccoli into evenly sized pieces, if necessary. Place the baby broccoli into a bowl and toss with your chosen seasonings and/or oil. You could try adding fresh lemon zest with other seasonings before cooking for a citrus twist, or swap black pepper for red chilli pepper flakes for extra heat. For a richer flavour, swap avocado oil for melted vegan or regular butter, and substitute garlic powder for 1-2 fresh minced garlic cloves. You could also add dried herbs like thyme, dill, oregano or rosemary for a fragrant flavour enhancer. Once the baby broccoli is seasoned to your liking, transfer it to the air fryer basket and arrange in a single layer so that none of the pieces overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the baby broccoli in multiple batches.

The best temperature to cook baby broccoli

If you want to cook baby broccoli at a higher temperature, you can cook it at 390°F for 5 minutes. This will give you crispy tender florets and stalks cooked al dente. If you want softer baby broccoli, add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time.

When cooking baby broccoli, it is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of your air fryer. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cook the baby broccoli in multiple batches to ensure even cooking. Additionally, every air fryer is different, so be sure to check on your baby broccoli halfway through the cooking process to ensure it doesn't burn.

How long to cook baby broccoli for

To cook baby broccoli in an air fryer, you should first wash and trim the broccoli, rinsing it under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris, and then pat it dry with a paper towel or clean dish towel.

Next, place the baby broccoli in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring that none of the pieces overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the broccoli in multiple batches.

Cooking times and temperatures vary depending on the consistency you want to achieve. For example, if you want your baby broccoli to be al dente, cook it at 390°F for 5 minutes. If you prefer your broccoli softer, add an extra 1-2 minutes. For more tender stalks, cook at 350°F for 10 minutes. If you like your broccoli crispy, cook it at 375°F for 8 minutes, until the tops are golden and the stalks are fork-tender.

It's important to note that every air fryer is different, so be sure to check on your broccoli halfway through cooking to ensure it doesn't burn.

Seasoning ideas for baby broccoli

When cooking baby broccoli in an air fryer, you can experiment with different seasonings to make the dish your own. Here are some seasoning ideas to get you started:

• For a citrus twist, add fresh lemon zest with other seasonings before cooking the baby broccoli in the air fryer. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving for extra citrusy goodness.
• For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or swap black pepper for red chilli pepper flakes.
• For a smoky flavour, add smoked paprika.
• For a richer flavour, swap avocado oil for melted vegan or regular butter, and substitute garlic powder for 1-2 fresh minced garlic cloves.
• For a fragrant flavour, add up to 1 teaspoon of dried herbs like thyme, dill, oregano, or rosemary.
• Sprinkle on sesame seeds for a classic sesame flavour and a nice look.
• Add a small amount of freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

How to store leftover baby broccoli

To cook baby broccoli in an air fryer, you should first wash and trim the broccolini, rinsing it under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris, and then pat it dry with a paper towel or clean dish towel. Next, add the broccolini to the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring that none of the pieces overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in multiple batches.

Cooking times and temperatures vary depending on the consistency you are looking for. For example, cooking at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes will give you al dente stalks and crispy florets, while cooking at 350 degrees for 7-10 minutes will give you softer stalks.

You can also add seasonings to your baby broccoli before or after cooking. For example, you could add lemon zest and juice for a citrus twist, or swap black pepper for red chilli pepper flakes or smoked paprika for extra heat. For a richer flavour, you could swap avocado oil for melted vegan or regular butter, and substitute garlic powder for fresh minced garlic. You could also add dried herbs like thyme, dill, oregano or rosemary for a fragrant flavour.

Leftover baby broccoli can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. To ensure it stays fresh, it's important to maintain airflow. You can do this by loosely wrapping the florets in plastic wrap and storing them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Another option is to place the florets in a glass container with a paper towel at the bottom to absorb excess moisture, and then cover the container with plastic wrap.

Frequently asked questions