Air-Fryer Roasted Broccoli: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryer broccoli is a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook broccoli. It is a great side dish that can be served with a variety of main courses or added to grain bowls. The air fryer is especially good at producing the Maillard reaction, which deepens the flavour of the broccoli. The cooking time is also much shorter than traditional roasting, with most recipes taking under 10 minutes.

Seasoning: use garlic powder, salt, and pepper for seasoning

Seasoning is a crucial step in making roasted broccoli in the air fryer. It adds flavour to the dish and enhances the natural taste of the broccoli. For this recipe, you'll need garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

Start by preparing the broccoli florets. Cut them into evenly sized pieces to ensure uniform cooking. You can also use pre-cut florets if you're short on time. Take a large mixing bowl and add the broccoli florets. Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil over the florets. You want to use enough oil to ensure the broccoli cooks evenly and doesn't burn.

Now it's time to season! Sprinkle garlic powder, salt, and pepper over the florets. You can also add other seasonings like onion powder, thyme, or red pepper flakes to give it an extra kick. Use your hands to thoroughly coat each floret with the oil and seasonings. Make sure you get into all the nooks and crannies so that every bite is flavourful.

Once the broccoli is seasoned, it's ready to go into the air fryer! Place the florets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they're not overcrowded. This step is important because if the florets are too close together, they'll steam instead of getting crispy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the broccoli in batches. Now, set your air fryer to the desired temperature and time (most recipes recommend around 350-400°F for 6-10 minutes) and let it work its magic!

With this simple seasoning blend, your roasted broccoli will be packed with flavour and have that perfect crispy texture. Enjoy!

Oil: toss broccoli florets in olive oil before air frying

To make roasted broccoli in an air fryer, you'll need to start by coating the broccoli florets in olive oil. For this step, you'll need a large mixing bowl and around 2 tablespoons of olive oil. You don't need a lot of oil—one of the benefits of cooking with an air fryer is that you can achieve tasty results with minimal oil.

Add the broccoli florets to the bowl, then drizzle olive oil over them. Use your hands or a spoon to distribute the oil evenly, ensuring that all the broccoli is coated. You don't want any dry spots!

Once the broccoli is coated, you can add your seasonings of choice. A simple combination of salt and pepper works well, but you can also add garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, or parmesan cheese for extra flavor. Toss the broccoli in the bowl until everything is well combined.

After the broccoli is seasoned, it's ready to go into the air fryer. Place the florets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they're not overcrowded. If your air fryer basket is too small to fit all the broccoli in one layer, you may need to cook the broccoli in batches.

Now, you're ready to air fry! Set your air fryer to a temperature between 350-400°F and cook for 6-10 minutes, shaking the basket or tossing the broccoli halfway through to ensure even cooking.

And that's it! Your roasted broccoli is ready to be enjoyed as a healthy and delicious side dish.

Timing: air fry for 7-10 minutes at 350-400°F

When making roasted broccoli in an air fryer, timing is key. Depending on the desired level of crispiness, you should air fry the broccoli for 7 to 10 minutes at 350-400°F.

For crispier broccoli, air fry closer to the 10-minute mark at 400°F. This higher temperature will help to achieve a more browned and crispy texture. However, it's important to keep a close eye on the broccoli to prevent burning.

If you prefer your broccoli on the softer side, aim for the shorter time frame of 7 minutes at 350°F. This will result in tender broccoli that is still cooked through.

Additionally, consider the size of your broccoli florets. For even cooking, it's best to use evenly sized florets. Larger florets may require a bit more time in the air fryer to ensure they are cooked through, while smaller florets may cook faster.

Remember to give the air fryer basket a shake or toss the broccoli halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking on all sides.

By adjusting the timing and temperature within the given range, you can customize your roasted broccoli to your desired level of doneness, whether you prefer it crispier or softer.

Preparation: cut broccoli into small, evenly-sized florets

To make roasted broccoli in an air fryer, you'll want to cut the broccoli into small, evenly-sized florets. This is important because it ensures that the broccoli cooks evenly, and you don't end up with some parts burned and others undercooked.

To do this, start by cutting the broccoli head into several large florets. Then, take each of these large florets and cut them down further into smaller pieces. Try to make the florets roughly the same size so they cook at the same rate.

You can also use the stems if you want, but the florets tend to give better results. If you do use the stems, you can save them for another use, such as making broccoli rice.

Serving: serve with lemon juice, parmesan, or sesame seeds

Now that your broccoli is cooked to perfection, it's time to serve it! Here are some ideas to elevate your dish:

Lemon Juice

A squeeze of fresh lemon juice will add a jolt of brightness to your broccoli. It pairs perfectly with the other flavours and brings out the nuttiness of sesame seeds if you choose to add those too. Lemon juice will also complement the savoury, salty flavours from seasonings like garlic powder, salt and pepper.

Parmesan

Parmesan cheese is always a great pairing with cooked broccoli. You can sprinkle some freshly grated parmesan on top of your broccoli for an extra layer of flavour and texture. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even add the parmesan towards the end of the air-frying process to create a delicious, cheesy crust!

Sesame Seeds

Toasted sesame seeds will add a nice crunch to your broccoli. They have a nutty flavour that goes well with the savoury, salty, and crispy notes of the dish.

You can also get creative and combine these ingredients to make a delicious lemon-parmesan broccoli or a sesame-lemon broccoli. Enjoy your air-fried broccoli!

Frequently asked questions