All you need is a bit of oil and a few minutes for perfectly crisp-tender Air Fryer Broccoli! It’s got addictively crispy edges, the bright flavor of lemon and it’s ready in about 10 minutes!

Serving spoon buried in a bowl of air fryer broccoli

It’s been insanely hot the past few days….I’m talking too hot to turn on the oven or go outside and grill.

It’s times like this that I love my air fryer even more. I can cook indoors without turning on the oven or sweating over a hot stove, and clean up is even easier.

One of my go-to side dishes is roasted vegetables, but they take a while and that requires turning on the oven.

I’ve recently discovered that I can make roasted vegetables in the air fryer in a fraction of the time and they’re just as caramelized and delicious.

I love experimenting with all types of vegetables, and this Air Fryer Broccoli is always a hit here.

They cook up nice and tender with crispy edges in mere minutes….and there’s no oven required. It’s one of the easiest air fryer recipes!

Simply toss the broccoli with olive oil, salt and pepper (or your favorite seasoning), and cook at 370 degrees for 8-10 minutes, tossing halfway through the cook time.

I love finishing the broccoli off with a squeeze of fresh lime juice for some bright flavor, and enjoy as a side dish, toss into pasta, or just eat it right out of the air fryer basket. 🙂

Bowl of air fryer broccoli with lemon
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Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Air fryer roasted broccoli is crisp-tender with slightly charred edges, and has the flavors of garlic and lemon.
  • It includes just 4 ingredients and it’s ready in 10 minutes.
  • It’s an easy side dish that’s easily customized with your favorite seasonings, spice blend or parmesan cheese.

Recipe ingredients

Air fryer broccoli ingredients
  • Broccoli. For best results, use fresh broccoli as frozen just won’t have the right texture. Broccoli crowns or pre-cut broccoli both work fine, but make sure that the florets are cut into uniform medium-sized pieces for even cooking.
  • Oil. I use olive oil, but you can use whatever type you have on hand.
  • Garlic powder. This gives the broccoli nice garlic flavor, but it may be substituted with your favorite seasoning or spice blend.
  • Lemon. A bit of fresh lemon juice adds a nice pop of flavor, but it’s completely optional.

See the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and quantities.

How to cook broccoli in the air fryer

This air fryer broccoli recipe is one of the easiest side dishes you’ll ever make, and it’s ready in about 10 minutes.

Pro tip: Whether you use broccoli crowns or pre-cut broccoli, be sure to cut the florets into uniform medium-sized pieces for even cooking. Prep the broccoli florets 1-2 days in advance to make this recipe go even faster.

See the recipe card below for full instructions.

How to make broccoli in air fryer collage
  1. Cut the florets into uniform pieces and place in bowl.
  2. Toss the florets with oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper until well coated.
  3. Place the broccoli in an even layer in the air fryer basket.
  4. Air fry at 370 degrees for 8 minutes, tossing halfway through the cooking time.
Broccoli in air fryer basket

Recipe FAQs

What does air fryer broccoli taste like?

Air fried broccoli is very similar to roasted broccoli. It’s nice and tender, but it’s slightly crispy instead of caramelized.

Is air fried broccoli still healthy?

Yes, this air fryer broccoli is a healthy option. It doesn’t require much oil so it’s low in fat, it’s dairy and gluten-free, and low in carbohydrates.

Why does broccoli burn in the air fryer?

It’s important to toss the broccoli florets with some oil prior to cooking it in the air fryer as it is more prone to burn without it.

Broccoli florets do tend to get crispy and can burn easily even with oil, so I recommend air frying it at a lower temperature of 370 degrees. From there, check for doneness after 6 minutes of cooking time as all air fryers vary.

Serving suggestions

This air fryer broccoli recipe is very versatile and can be served up a number of ways.

Recipe notes

  • Pro tip: Whether you use broccoli crowns or pre-cut broccoli, be sure to cut the florets into uniform medium-sized pieces for even cooking. Prep the broccoli florets 1-2 days in advance to make this recipe go even faster.
  • For best results, cook at a lower temperature of 370 degrees as the broccoli can burn quickly at a higher temp. 
  • Customize air fryer broccoli with your favorite spices, seasoning blends or parmesan cheese. 
  • Store leftovers in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Spoon in bowl of air fryer broccoli

More air fryer recipes you’ll love:

Did you try this recipe?  If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram

Serving spoon buried in a bowl of air fryer broccoli

Air Fryer Broccoli

Air Fryer Broccoli is tender and addictive with crispy edges and the bright flavor of lemon. It's a healthy side dish that's ready in 10 minutes!
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Ingredients

  • 12 ounces broccoli florets about 3 cups florets
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or your favorite
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 lemon optional

Instructions 

  • Cut up the broccoli florets into uniform medium-sized pieces and place in a bowl.
  • Toss the broccoli with the olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper until well coated.
  • Place in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  • Air fry at 370 degrees for 8 minutes or until crisp tender and slightly charred, pausing to toss the broccoli halfway through the cooking time. All air fryers vary, so begin checking for doneness after 6 minutes as the broccoli can burn quickly.
  • Place the broccoli in a bowl and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Pro tip:  Whether you use broccoli crowns or pre-cut broccoli, be sure to cut the florets into uniform medium-sized pieces for even cooking.  Prep the florets up to 1-2 days in advance to make this recipe go even faster.
  • For best results, cook at a lower temperature as the broccoli can burn quickly at a higher temp. 
  • Customize air fryer broccoli with your favorite spices, seasoning blends or parmesan cheese. 
  • Store leftovers in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 65kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Sodium: 319mg, Potassium: 294mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 534IU, Vitamin C: 83mg, Calcium: 45mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

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