The Best Air Fryer Broccoli

This air fryer broccoli is simply the best! Using a special but easy method to get the broccoli tender without being burnt, like so many other air fryer broccoli recipes, this side dish is just like a delicious oven-roasted broccoli but in a fraction of the time.

What Makes This Recipe So Good

• Air fryer broccoli is so simple, and it gives you incredibly crisp, flavorful broccoli florets in just 10 minutes! I use a two-temperature cooking method that ensures the broccoli is delightfully tender while also being super crisp.
• You can easily double or triple this recipe for even more perfect broccoli. Just work in batches as needed so you don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket.
• This side dish is super versatile and it pairs well with a variety of recipes! I’ll make a quick batch of air fryer broccoli anytime we’re having Marry Me Chicken, Chicken Stroganoff with Mushrooms, Filet Mignon with Garlic Herb Compound Butter, Blackened Salmon… anything, really!

Key Ingredients

Broccoli Florets – Use evenly-sized florets so they cook evenly. The smaller they are, the crispier they’ll get. I prefer fresh broccoli here, but you could also use frozen – just thaw it overnight in the fridge first, and make sure to dry it really well.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil – The trick to really, really crispy broccoli florets is to coat the broccoli in a little oil! I like to use EVOO here but avocado oil would also work. You want to be extra sure to work the oil into the crowns of the broccoli so everything crisps evenly.

Seasonings – Nice and simple, we’re using salt, pepper, and a little garlic powder. The garlic powder is nice because it coats the broccoli well and it won’t burn in the air fryer like garlic cloves can. If you like a little heat, red pepper flakes go really well with air fryer broccoli!

Chef’s Tips

• The two-temperature method fixes the problem of getting overly crispy broccoli that’s not tender. You might be tempted to stick with just one temperature for the whole cooking process but I really recommend following the method I used here for the best air fryer broccoli EVER!
• If you’re using frozen broccoli florets and want to cook them straight out of the freezer rather than waiting for them to thaw, start with them in the air fryer. At the 6-minute mark, when you turn up the heat, that’s when you’ll toss them in your oil & seasoning mixture and return them to the air fryer. That way the seasoning can really coat them – and stick. You may need to cook the from-frozen broccoli a few minutes longer to get the florets really crispy.
• Adding parmesan? Be sure to sprinkle it over the florets as soon as they come out of the air fryer. Since they’ll still be hot, the cheese will melt a little, and it’s just delicious. Use a fresh parmesan that you grate yourself, rather than the pre-packaged grated cheese. The fresh cheese melts better and doesn’t have the additional fillers that the pre-packaged stuff has.

Other Air Fryer Veggies You Have to Try

• Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
• Air Fryer Asparagus
• Roasted Air Fryer Carrots
• Air Fryer Cauliflower with Lemon-Garlic Aioli
• Air Fryer Baked Potato