Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli: Easy Side Recipe

Frozen broccoli in air fryer is a great go-to side dish, really easy to prepare and you’ll have a perfect side dish ready in about 10 minutes..

The air fryer is best way to cook frozen vegetables. 

Just a few steps to delicious side dishes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Ingredients
• Step Instructions + Tips
• FAQ’s
• Air fryer frozen broccoli recipe card (printable)

Why You’ll Love  This Recipe

Easy recipe: It really takes very simple ingredients to prepare and make a great side dish perfect for busy weeknights.

No mess in the kitchen: It’s my favorite way to cook the broccoli.

Faster and less mess than boiled or oven-roasted broccoli.

Healthy side dish: This cooking process is a healthy cooking method that helps preserve the nutrients in broccoli.

Crunchy texture: Air frying gives the broccoli a crunchy texture.

The high temperatures of the air fryer also caramelizes the broccoli’s natural sugars, adding to its flavor.

 Recipe Ingredients Notes

Frozen broccoli florets: It is the base of your dish, and selecting a high-quality bag is important for the best results.

Olive oil or avocado oil: You might not even use it, but I recommend it, as you will need a bit of oil to help crunch up the broccoli.

Salt and black pepper: To taste.

Optional seasoning:  Garlic powder, onion powder, or any other seasoning of your choice.

You can also add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an extra flavor.

How To Make Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli 

To make air fryer frozen broccoli, start by preheating your air fryer to 400 F degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the frozen florets with the oil and spice mixture, and toss to coat well.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the seasoned frozen broccoli in the air fryer basket in a single layer. 

If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the broccoli in batches.

Cook the broccoli for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.

The broccoli should be tender and lightly browned when done.

Once the broccoli is cooked, transfer it to a serving dish and season it with your choice of optional ingredients, such as Parmesan cheese.

 Recipe Tips

Shake the air fryer basket: Make sure to shake the basket at least once during cooking to ensure even browning.

Preheat the air fryer: This is a step I never skip when cooking with the air fryer, as it helps to have a more homogeneous cooking.

Don’t overcrowd the basket: Never ever put too many ingredients in the air fryer, as the air doesn’t circulate and you won’t get as crispy a result as you had hoped for.

Don’t Thaw the Broccoli: No need to thaw broccoli, as the result would be mushy vegetables.

Air-Fried Broccoli Variations 

Use Your favorite seasonings: One easy way to add some flavor is to sprinkle your broccoli with garlic powder or smoked paprika before air frying.

You can also toss in some sliced or diced onions to add a bit of sweetness, or some red pepper flakes or chili powder to make it spicy.

Try other herbs such as rosemary or thyme.

Make it cheesy: For a cheesy twist, sprinkle some grated Parmesan or cheese sauce over the broccoli during the last few minutes of cooking. 

Add crunch: Mix in some bacon bits for a crispy touch, or if you want to keep it vegetarian you can add roasted almonds.

Crispy broccoli: If you’re looking for an extra crunch, try coating the broccoli in a mixture of breadcrumbs and olive oil before cooking.

Add more frozen veggies: With cauliflower, carrots or sweet potatoes go well together.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Broccoli

Serve your air fryer roasted broccoli with chicken bites, air fryer salmon bites, egg white wraps or this orange chicken Trader Joe’s.

The freshness of the broccoli will balance the richness of the protein. 

Alternatively, pair it with a juicy air fryer ribeye or a breaded pork chop for a satisfying dinner. 

For a vegetarian option, serve your air fryer roasted broccoli with quinoa, brown rice or this veggie pizza, for a filling and healthy meal. 

Broccoli is not only a nutritious side dish, one of my favorite recipes where you can use this broccoli is this easy and pasta with broccoli, which you can also make in the oven with the addition of salsa bechamel and mozzarella cheese.

FAQ’s

I personally love broccoli, full of health benefits and super delicious. 

Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe: Easy Side Dish

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Storage and Reheating

To ensure that your broccoli stays fresh and tasty for as long as possible, it’s important to store it properly.

First, make sure your broccoli is completely cooled before storing it in an airtight container.

This will prevent any moisture from building up and causing the broccoli to become soggy.

You can store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheat in the  Microwave: Place the broccoli in a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 30-60 seconds or until heated through.

Reheat in the Air fryer: Cook at to 350 degrees F for 3-5 minutes.