Tillie Doyle
Air fryers are a quick and convenient way to cook vegetables, and broccoli and cauliflower are no exception. With an air fryer, you can have perfectly cooked, crispy and tender broccoli and cauliflower in under 15 minutes. This cooking method is ideal for those who want the flavour of roasted vegetables without having to wait for an oven to preheat. In this article, we will outline the steps to cook broccoli and cauliflower in an air fryer, as well as provide tips for seasoning and serving.
How to cook broccoli and cauliflower in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Broccoli, Cauliflower, Olive oil, Salt, Pepper, Garlic powder, Thyme, Lemon juice, Parmesan cheese |
| Preparation | Cut vegetables into small, uniform pieces. Season with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, and lemon juice. |
| Cooking time | Preheat air fryer to 370-400°F. Cook vegetables for 7-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. |
| Serving suggestions | Serve immediately as a side dish. Can be topped with Parmesan cheese and lemon juice. |
| Storage | Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months. |
| Reheating | Reheat in the air fryer at 400°F for 2-3 minutes, or in the oven, microwave, or skillet. |
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What You'll Learn
How to cut broccoli and cauliflower into uniform pieces
To cut broccoli and cauliflower into uniform pieces, start by cutting the vegetables into small to medium-sized florets. You can do this by holding the broccoli or cauliflower with the stem facing up on a cutting board and using your knife to remove the florets from the crown, leaving about 1 inch of stem on each piece.
If you're working with a head of broccoli, you can also cut it into uniform pieces by making downward cuts and separating the florets from the thick center stem, leaving about 1 inch of the stem intact. This part of the stem is edible and tender, so it's worth preserving. You can then cut the larger florets in half by holding them with the stem facing up on the cutting board and slicing vertically into the stem. Use your hands to pull the two florets apart, and cut the stem off the floret close to the base where the buds start if you want to make them even smaller.
For cauliflower, you can cut the florets into uniform pieces of about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in size. If you're making a salad or blanching the cauliflower, you may want to cut the florets into smaller pieces. It's worth noting that cauliflower is crumbly, and the head is usually tight, so you might need to adjust as you go. You can trim from the bottom and run your knife along the stems to prevent breakage and reduce crumbly pieces.
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How to season the vegetables
Seasoning your broccoli and cauliflower is a simple process. Firstly, cut your vegetables into uniform, bite-sized pieces. This will ensure even cooking. Next, place your florets into a mixing bowl and drizzle them with extra virgin olive oil. This will help your vegetables to crisp up on the outside and become tender.
Now, you can add your seasonings. A popular option is to season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add thyme, which gives a lovely flavour and some extra vitamins. Use your hands to rub the seasonings into the florets. If the seasonings are not sticking, add a small splash of water to the bowl.
For a spicy kick, add some grated jalapeño or red pepper flakes. Alternatively, for a more traditional flavour, omit the thyme and garlic and just use olive oil, salt, and pepper.
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How to cook the vegetables in the air fryer
Ingredients
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Cut the broccoli and cauliflower into uniform, bite-sized florets. The florets should be roughly similar in size to allow for even cooking. Cauliflower takes longer to cook than broccoli, so make the broccoli florets slightly larger.
- Season the florets by tossing them in a mixing bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Use wet hands to rub the seasonings in.
- Preheat your air fryer to between 320°F and 400°F (160°C and 200°C). You can also lightly grease the basket with non-stick olive oil spray or line it with greaseproof baking paper.
- Place the seasoned florets into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook them in batches if your air fryer basket is small.
- Cook for 7 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket every 3 to 4 minutes for even cooking. The vegetables are done when they are fork-tender and lightly browned around the edges.
- If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of lemon juice. Return to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Serve immediately as a side dish or snack. They are delicious on their own or with a dipping sauce such as soy sauce, ranch dressing, or hummus.
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How to store and reheat leftovers
To store leftover air-fried broccoli and cauliflower, let the vegetables cool down completely. Then, transfer them to an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator. Make sure to store them within 2 hours of cooking. They will last for 3 to 5 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container.
If you want to store them for longer, you can keep them in the freezer. However, freezing is not recommended unless you plan to use the vegetables in soups or frittatas, as the texture changes when defrosted. If you still want to freeze them, put them in freezer bags and they will last for 2 to 3 months. The vegetables will last longer if cooked without garlic or lemon.
To reheat the leftovers, you can use the air fryer, oven, skillet, or microwave. For the air fryer, reheat at 375°F to 400°F for 2 to 5 minutes, or until warm. If using the oven, place the vegetables on a baking sheet and reheat at 350°F for a few minutes. For the skillet method, heat them over medium heat with a bit of olive oil for a few minutes. Finally, if using the microwave, cook the vegetables on low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, or until warm.
If you are reheating from frozen, make sure to thaw the vegetables by placing them in the fridge overnight before following the instructions above.
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How to serve the cooked broccoli and cauliflower
There are several ways to serve cooked broccoli and cauliflower. Here are some ideas:
As a Side Dish
Air-fried broccoli and cauliflower are healthy, delicious, and easy to make side dishes that go well with grilled steak, furikake salmon, ham steak, pork belly, turkey burgers, or chicken. You can also serve them with filet mignon, sirloin steak, or London broil. For a healthy dinner option, try it with pan-seared salmon, baked cod, or pan-fried tilapia.
As a Salad
You can add the cooked broccoli and cauliflower to a salad. For instance, a broccoli cauliflower salad or a roasted cauliflower salad.
As a Casserole
You can also make a broccoli-cauliflower casserole by adding some creamy sauce and a crunchy breadcrumb topping.
As a Snack
You can serve the roasted veggies as a cold snack for dipping.
With a Protein Boost
For an extra protein boost, sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top of the cooked veggies.
With a Citrus Twist
For a refreshing twist, squeeze some lemon juice over the broccoli and cauliflower before serving.
With a Spicy Kick
Add some grated jalapeño or red pepper flakes to your dressing for an extra kick.
With Herbs
Instead of garlic, add some finely minced shallots or fresh rosemary to your dressing.
No matter how you choose to serve them, air-fried broccoli and cauliflower are tasty, nutritious, and versatile dishes that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways!
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 11 to 15 minutes to cook broccoli and cauliflower in an air fryer.
The air fryer should be preheated to between 320°F and 400°F.
Cut the broccoli and cauliflower into uniform, bite-sized florets. Then, season the florets with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
