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    Home » Recipes » Side Dish

    Air Fryer Broccoli (so easy!)

    Modified: Apr 12, 2025 • Published: Feb 25, 2021 by Dr. Erin Carter • This post may contain affiliate links • Leave a Comment

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    Air fryer broccoli is the best way to get crispy yet tender broccoli in under 10 minutes! It's so easy to make and is the perfect healthy side dish.

    A plate of cooked broccoli with a fork beside the broccoli

    Vegetables made in the air fryer like air fryer carrots, air fryer spaghetti squash, air fryer turnip fries and air fryer baked sweet potato turn out so good and they are so fast and easy to make, which is why I am so excited for you to try the air fried broccoli recipe I am sharing with you today!

    Table of Contents
    • Why you will love this recipe:
    • Ingredients and substitutions:
    • Recipe variations and add ins:
    • How to make air fryer broccoli:
    • Top tips:
    • Air fryer broccoli FAQs:
    • Other air fryer recipes you will love:
    • Recipe

    Why you will love this recipe:

    • This air fried broccoli has the best flavour! Slightly sweet and just a little salty you will love how it tastes.
    • It's so easy to make and is ready in under 10 minutes.
    • The broccoli turns out nice and crispy, just like air fryer sweet potato fries.
    • This broccoli makes a healthy side dish and is naturally paleo, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, Whole30, low carb and keto!

    Ingredients and substitutions:

    For the full ingredient list and exact measurements refer to the recipe card later in this post.

    Jump to the Recipe Card.
    Ingredients in separate bowls including broccoli florets, avocado oil and balsamic vinegar.
    • Fresh broccoli - the base of this easy broccoli recipe is fresh broccoli florets.
    • Balsamic vinegar - this gives the broccoli a slightly sweet flavour. The sweet and salty combination is so good!
    • Avocado oil - to help the broccoli cook perfectly. You can swap this for olive oil.
    • Salt and pepper - simple seasonings are all you need for this air fryer broccoli recipe. 

    Recipe variations and add ins:

    • Feel free to add other seasonings such as garlic powder or onion powder to give the broccoli a different flavour.
    • Use a different type of sweet vinegar such as blueberry balsamic vinegar or cherry balsamic vinegar to give this broccoli a different taste.
    • For a different flavour replace the balsamic vinegar with soy sauce or coconut aminos.  

    How to make air fryer broccoli:

    A bowl with broccoli florets in it with a spoon in the bowl.
    1. Step 1: First, put all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well until the broccoli is well coated.
    Broccoli florets on an air fryer tray.
    1. Step 2: Transfer the broccoli florets to the trays or basket of your air fryer and cook them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-8 minutes, until evenly roasted.

    Top tips:

    • Every model of air fryer is different, so depending on the model you have you may need to vary the cooking time slightly. If you aren't sure what air fryer to get, you can check out my review on the best non-toxic air fryers.
    • Larger broccoli florets tend to cook better in the air fryer rather than smaller florets.
    • Depending on the size of your air fryer you may have to adjust how much broccoli you cook - if you have a small air fryer you can cook it in batches. 
    • Don't overlap the broccoli when you cook it in the air fryer or it won't end up nice and crispy and instead will get steamed and soften.
    • For this recipe I did not preheat my air fryer. If you do preheat it, decrease the cook time by 2-3 minutes.
    • To air fry frozen broccoli: heat the frozen broccoli for a few minutes in the air fryer at 400F to thaw it, then prepare the broccoli as listed in the recipe instructions by combining it with the oil, balsamic vinegar and spices and then cooking it for 7-8 minutes at 400F.
    • Serving ideas: broccoli is the perfect side dish and goes well with many different meals including pork chops, lamb chops in the air fryer, air fried frozen steak, air fried Italian sausages, scallops in the air fryer, blackened Mahi Mahi, gluten-free meatloaf and more.
    A plate with cooked broccoli on it.

    Air fryer broccoli FAQs:

    Can you steam vegetables in an air fryer?

    No you can't. Air fryers don't work to steam vegetables.

    Is air fryer broccoli healthy?

    Yes! Cooking broccoli in the air fryer is great because it uses less oil than pan frying it and you still get the health benefits of all the vitamins and minerals in the broccoli.

    Do you have to preheat your air fryer?

    You do not have to preheat your air fryer. For this broccoli recipe I did not preheat it. If you do choose to preheat yours subtract 2-3 minutes of cooking time.

    How do I store leftover broccoli?

    Store any leftover cooked broccoli in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

    Other air fryer recipes you will love:

    • A plate of cooked French fries with sides of ketchup and mayonnaise.
      Easy Air Fryer Frozen French Fries (so crispy!)
    • Cooked pork belly pieces on a plate with a side of soy sauce.
      Easy Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites
    • A salmon cake on a bed of lettuce drizzled with aioli sauce.
      Air Fryer Salmon Patties with Lemon Dill Aioli
    • A burger in a bun topped with tomato slices, lettuce, ketchup and pickles.
      How to Cook Frozen Hamburgers in an Air Fryer

    Since you made it this far we are basically best friends so be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook where I share even more recipes and healthy living tips! And don’t forget to leave this recipe a star review before you go!

    Recipe

    Air Fryer Broccoli

    Air fryer broccoli is the best! So easy to make it has the best flavour and is ready in under 10 minutes. The perfect side dish for any meal.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner, Side Dish, Vegetables
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat, Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 7 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 9 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 97kcal
    Author: Dr. Erin Carter

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups chopped broccoli (10 ounces)
    • 2 tablespoon avocado oil (or sub olive oil)
    • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

    Instructions

    • Add all the ingredients to a large bowl and mix well so the broccoli is coated.
    • Add the broccoli florets to the trays of your air fryer and cook at 400F for 7-8 minutes, until roasted.

    Notes

    1. Depending on the model of air fryer you have you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly.
    2. Store this broccoli in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.  
    3. Nutritional values are an estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients used.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 97kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 322mg | Potassium: 294mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 568IU | Vitamin C: 81mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @pureandsimpleno or tag #pureandsimpleno!

    DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

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    Hi everyone!

    My name is Dr. Erin Carter and I am so thrilled you are here. I am a physician with specialties in both internal medicine and rheumatology, and I believe that food and healthy living are forms of medicine. In my spare time I share health information and delicious, healthy recipes here on Pure and Simple Nourishment.

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