Super Easy Air Fryer Broccoli

If you find eating green vegetables a bit of a challenging, give this Super Easy Air Fryer Broccoli recipe a try! With only four ingredients and ready in less than 10 minutes, you’ll be hooked in no time.

The air fryer is a fantastic kitchen gadget that will transform how you eat your greens. This method turns plain old broccoli into a crispy, mouthwatering treat that’s almost too good to be true.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Broccoli – Use fresh broccoli and cut it into small, similarly-sized florets. If you want to use frozen broccoli, cook it without defrosting. Add a few extra minutes to the cooking time and expect less crispness.

• Soy sauce – It adds an umami flavor and saltiness to broccoli. I use Kikkoman light soy sauce for this recipe.

• Chili flakes – To spice the things up! Skip it if you don’t like the heat.

• Sesame oil – It adds a deep nutty flavor to crispy broccoli florets.

How to Cook Broccoli in Air Fryer?

Cooking broccoli in air fryer is a straightforward process. 

However, you need to follow a few simple steps to achieve the best results:

Cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces, making sure they are all roughly the same size to ensure even cooking.

Wash and thoroughly dry the broccoli florets for perfectly crisped broccoli. Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili flakes in a bowl. Set it aside.

Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and place the broccoli in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You might need to cook in batches if you have a small air fryer. 

One of the keys to getting perfectly crispy broccoli is to make sure the air can circulate around the florets. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking and soggy broccoli.

Cook for about 6-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. Once the broccoli is crispy and slightly browned around the edges, it’s ready to eat!

Toss the cooked broccoli florets with the soy sauce mixture and serve them as a side dish, add them into a salad, or just enjoy them as a healthy snack.

Why Choose Air Fryer Broccoli?

The Health Benefits

First off, broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s packed with vitamins C and K, fiber, and numerous antioxidants. These nutrients are essential for maintaining a healthy immune system, promoting bone health, and aiding digestion. When you cook broccoli in an air fryer, you retain more of these vital nutrients compared to boiling or microwaving, making it a healthier option.

The Convenience Factor

One of the best things about using an air fryer is how convenient it is. Whether you’re a busy parent juggling work, school runs, and extracurricular activities, or someone who’s always on the go, the air fryer makes cooking quick and easy. It heats up in minutes and cooks food evenly without the need for constant monitoring.

The Taste

Let’s be honest—broccoli isn’t everyone’s favorite vegetable. But this super easy air fryer broccoli is a game-changer. The air fryer gives it a crispy, almost roasted texture that’s absolutely delicious. Even kids or picky eaters who usually turn their noses up at anything green, can’t resist it.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Broccoli?

Air fryer broccoli is the perfect side dish to serve along with Air Fryer Chicken Patties, Mujadara – Lebanese Lentils and Rice, Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites, Crispy Breaded Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets, Air Fryer Steak Bites and Mushrooms, and Air Fryer Marinated Salmon Recipe.

You can also enjoy them as a healthy snack or toss them into a salad.

Recipe Variations

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your broccoli. Try adding different seasonings and flavorings such as salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, grated parmesan, or a splash of lemon juice.

How to Store the Leftovers?

If you have any leftovers (which is rare in our house), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should keep for about 3-4 days. To reheat, simply pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes until they’re crispy again.

Super Easy Air Fryer Broccoli

Ayla Clulee

If you find eating green vegetables a bit of a challenging, give this Super Easy Air Fryer Broccoli recipe a try! With only four ingredients and ready in less than 10 minutes, you'll be hooked in no time.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Total Time 8 minutes mins

Course Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Asian

Servings 4 portions

Calories 63 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 450 g broccoli (cut into florets)
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• ½ tsp chili flakes

Instructions

 

• Wash and thoroughly dry the broccoli florets. This step is crucial for perfectly crisped broccoli. Cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces, making sure they are all roughly the same size to ensure even cooking.
• Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili flakes in a bowl. Set it aside.
• Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and place the broccoli in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You might need to cook in batches if you have a small air fryer.
• Cook for about 6-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. Once the broccoli is crispy and slightly browned around the edges, it’s ready to eat!
• Toss the cooked broccoli florets with the soy sauce mixture and serve them as a side dish, toss them into a salad, or just enjoy themt as a healthy snack.

Notes

• One of the keys to getting perfectly crispy broccoli is to make sure the air can circulate around the florets. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking and soggy broccoli.
• Cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces, making sure they are all roughly the same size to ensure even cooking.
• If you want to use frozen broccoli, cook it without defrosting. Add a few extra minutes to the cooking time and expect less crispness.
• Every air fryer is a bit different, so you might need to adjust the temperature and cooking time based on your specific model. Keep an eye on the broccoli, especially the first few times you make it, to find the perfect settings.
• Add 2 tablespoons of water to the bottom of your air fryer if you want your broccoli slightly tender and less crispy.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

Keyword side dish, snack, vegetable