Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe: Quick Side Dish in Minutes

The best quick and easy side dish is this Air Fryer Broccoli! Ready in under 15 minutes and perfectly seasoned. You’ll be making this one often.

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Broccoli in the Air Fryer

This is a side I make so often my family jokes we might turn into broccoli. It’s that easy, fast, and nutritious. In under 15 minutes you have a flavorful vegetable side that pairs with many main dishes.

Why I reach for this recipe:

• It’s incredibly easy.
• It cooks in under 15 minutes.
• Broccoli is nutritious and satisfying.

The air fryer gives the florets a tender interior and lightly crisped edges with minimal effort. Serve this with meatloaf casserole, garlic-butter salmon, or turkey sloppy joes for a complete meal, or use other cooking methods like oven-roasting or steaming if you prefer.

Equipment

Air fryers come in many sizes and shapes. I test recipes in a 5.5-quart basket-style unit, which holds about 8 cups of broccoli comfortably. If your air fryer is smaller, scale the batch down so pieces cook evenly. If you have an oven-style air fryer, use a spatula to turn the broccoli during cooking.

Ingredients

• Broccoli – Cut florets into bite-size pieces, keeping them similar in size so they cook evenly.
• Olive oil – Just enough to lightly coat the broccoli; toss thoroughly so the oil distributes evenly.
• Kosher salt – Substitute sea salt if needed; if using table salt, use about half the amount.
• Parmesan cheese – Finely grated fresh Parmesan melts more evenly and adds great flavor.
• Lemon – A squeeze of fresh lemon brightens the dish. Omit if unavailable.

For a full ingredient list see the recipe card below.

Instructions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 375ºF.

2. Cut broccoli into bite-size florets, keeping pieces similar in size. Place in a large bowl.

3. Add the olive oil and kosher salt, then toss to coat evenly.

4. Place broccoli in the air fryer basket and cook 7–9 minutes, shaking or tossing every 3 minutes. Cook up to about 10 minutes for extra crispiness.

5. Transfer cooked broccoli back to the bowl, add grated Parmesan, and toss. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon and toss once more. Serve immediately.

Yield: serves 4

Air Fryer Broccoli

Broccoli in the air fryer becomes a perfectly cooked side. Topped with Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon, it’s irresistible straight from the serving bowl.

Prep Time
5 minutes

Cook Time
9 minutes

Total Time
14 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 small heads broccoli
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• Squeeze of fresh lemon

Instructions

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375ºF.
2. Cut broccoli into bite-size florets and add to a bowl.
3. Add oil and salt, then toss to coat.
4. Cook in the air fryer 7–9 minutes, tossing every 3 minutes; cook longer for crisper edges.
5. Return broccoli to the bowl, toss with Parmesan, squeeze lemon over top, and serve immediately.

Notes

Feel free to add spices sparingly — a pinch of garlic powder or a little black pepper can elevate the flavor.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1/4 the dish

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 56
Total Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 1mg
Sodium: 212mg
Carbohydrates: 7g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 2g
Protein: 2g

Nutritional data is automated; final values depend on ingredients and any changes made.

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