Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryer frozen broccoli is a quick, easy, and delicious side dish. It's a great option when you're in a pinch and need to make a healthy side dish for dinner. With just a few simple ingredients and almost zero prep time, you can have a tasty and nutritious dish on the table in no time.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your food cooks evenly and gets crispy. Depending on the model of your air fryer, the preheating time and temperature may vary. For example, the default setting for a Cosori air fryer is to preheat at 400°F for 5 minutes. Other air fryers may require preheating at 380°F or 390°F for a similar duration.

When preheating your air fryer, it is also essential to consider the type of oil or cooking spray you use. Avocado oil spray is a good option as it has a higher smoke point than regular cooking spray, preventing the formation of residue that can be difficult to clean. Additionally, using the right oil can enhance the flavour and texture of your broccoli.

Before preheating your air fryer, it is recommended to prepare the broccoli florets by tossing them with oil and seasonings in a bowl. This ensures that the oil and seasonings are evenly distributed before placing the broccoli in the air fryer.

Once your air fryer has preheated, you can proceed to the next steps of arranging the broccoli florets in the air fryer basket and cooking them to crispy perfection.

Prepare the broccoli

Preparing the broccoli for the air fryer is simple and requires minimal ingredients and effort. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need frozen broccoli florets, olive oil or avocado oil, and seasonings of your choice. The amount of broccoli you use will depend on the size of your air fryer basket. For a 6-quart basket, a 16oz (454g) bag of broccoli florets is recommended.

Next, preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F (204 °C). While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the broccoli by tossing it in a bowl with the oil and seasonings. Make sure the broccoli is evenly coated. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, or red pepper flakes.

After the broccoli is seasoned, it's time to arrange it in the air fryer basket. Spread the broccoli florets in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap too much. This step is important because overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking and sogginess.

Once the broccoli is in the air fryer, it's ready to cook! Depending on the desired level of crispiness and the size of your broccoli florets, the cooking time will vary. For smaller florets, check the broccoli after 6 minutes, then continue cooking for an additional 5-7 minutes. For larger florets, cook for 10-20 minutes, stirring at least once, until the desired crispness is achieved.

During the cooking process, remember to shake the air fryer basket at least once to ensure even cooking and browning.

And that's it! You now have perfectly cooked, crispy, and healthy air-fried frozen broccoli as a delicious side dish or snack.

Add oil and seasoning

Adding oil and seasoning to your frozen broccoli is a crucial step in ensuring your broccoli is crispy and flavoursome.

Firstly, place your frozen broccoli into a large mixing bowl. Then, drizzle a couple of tablespoons of olive oil or avocado oil over the broccoli. You can also use an olive oil or avocado oil spray. Make sure that the broccoli is evenly coated by tossing or stirring the broccoli in the bowl.

Next, it's time to season your broccoli. You can season your broccoli with a variety of spices, including:

• Salt and pepper
• Smoked paprika
• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Red pepper flakes
• Lemon pepper
• Cumin

Once your broccoli is seasoned, you can place it into the air fryer basket and cook as per the instructions. Enjoy!

Cook the broccoli

Now that your air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook the broccoli!

First, place your frozen broccoli florets into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle olive oil or avocado oil over the broccoli and toss the florets until they are well coated. You can also add other seasonings at this stage, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or lemon pepper seasoning. Toss the broccoli until everything is evenly distributed.

Next, spread the broccoli florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overcrowded, as this can cause the broccoli to steam instead of roast and affect the crispiness of the florets. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the broccoli in batches.

Now, it's time to air fry! Close the basket and air fry the broccoli for 10-12 minutes at 400°F (204°C). Remember to shake the basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and browning. If you prefer your broccoli to be extra crispy, you can continue cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes.

Once the broccoli is cooked to your desired level of crispiness, remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately. You can also add some extra seasonings or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before serving.

Enjoy your delicious and healthy air fryer frozen broccoli!

Serve

Air fryer frozen broccoli is best served hot and crispy. You can also serve it warm, at room temperature, or lightly chilled. It is a great side dish to complement any entree. It goes well with proteins such as chicken, seafood, beef, or pork.

You can also use it as a crunchy topping for dishes like broccoli pesto salad, chicken and broccoli Chinese garlic sauce, or shrimp and broccoli stir fry.

Some fun variations to try include:

• Air fryer frozen broccoli and cauliflower
• Top with a sauce, such as garlic chilli sauce or ranch dressing
• Air fryer frozen broccoli and cheese: sprinkle with parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast before serving
• Frozen breaded broccoli in the air fryer: sprinkle with Italian-style or gluten-free Japanese panko breadcrumbs

Frequently asked questions