Air-Fryer Broccoli
- Total Time
- 15 minutes
- Rating
- Notes
- Read community notes
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Ingredients
Yield:
2 servings
- 2 small broccoli heads (1 scant pound), florets cut into 1 ½- to 2-inch pieces
- 2½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2½ teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon red-pepper flakes
- 1 lemon wedge, for squeezing
- Lemon zest, sesame seeds, fish sauce, chile crisp or chile oil, for serving (optional)
Preparation
-
Step 1
Heat air fryer to 375 degrees, if preheating is recommended for your air fryer.
-
Step 2
Add the broccoli to a medium bowl, along with any tiny stray pieces from the cutting board (they will get crunchy and browned). Drizzle with the olive oil, soy sauce and red-pepper flakes and toss to coat.
-
Step 3
Transfer broccoli to the air fryer basket. Use a spatula to scrape any remaining soy sauce and oil from the bowl over the broccoli. (Every drop can help the broccoli char and deepen the flavor.) Fry at 375 degrees for 9 minutes, tossing the broccoli halfway through with tongs or shaking the basket, until the heads of the florets are browned and crisped and broccoli stems are tender when pierced with a fork.
-
Step 4
Transfer broccoli to a serving bowl and drizzle with lemon juice. Top with lemon zest, sesame seeds, fish sauce, chile crisp or chile oil, if desired.
Private Notes
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Cooking Notes
Remy
The same effect may be achieved by preheating the oven to 400, tossing florets with a bit of olive oil, putting everything on a parchment paper lined sheet pan and roasting for 15 or so minutes. No mess, same crunchy delicious broccoli and no need to worry about where the little tidbits have gone!
Stewart In Houston
Order these parchment paper (perforated) air fryer basket liners from Amazon for 200 at under $9.00. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B099DWVQ1K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
KASinYVR
The benefit of the air-fryer is that you don't have to heat an entire oven for a small serving of broccoli. Most air-fryers don't need parchment as they clean up in a jiffy, just like they heat up in a couple of minutes. I'm a fan because of the convenience and using less electricity.
Deborah
How do you keep the little bits and the sauce from dripping through the basket and making a mess?
Dee
I get the best results if I microwave the broccoli one minute first, then air fry for only 4 minutes.
Marcia
Put a sheet pan below
Joshua Gitelson
Subbed ⅓ of the soy sauce for Worcester sauce, with great results.
Alascat
It was OK, but certainly fast & easy.
Bonvan
The suggestion to microwave for a minute prior was genius! I've only had an airfryer for about a month and this will be my go to veggie method.
Dee
I get the best results if I microwave the broccoli one minute first, then air fry for only 4 minutes.
PedsICU RN
We’ve recently been through a renovation and been reliant upon a countertop air fryer/oven for a year. I have tried all ways I know possible to roast broccoli in the thing and it’s always a bit too dry and blackened for me. It retains the oil and natural moisture much better in a conventional oven. If you have an oven I’d stick to it.
Gregg
I have not used this air fryer recipe yet, but I love to roast broccoli in the oven. I add a small amount (~1-2 tsp) of honey along with the olive oil to help with the char. I also work the oil and honey into the broccoli with my hands to ensure an even coating. So tasty!
mvmcgraw
The specified cooking time yielded broccoli that was too tough for my taste, so I nearly doubled it. Will try briefly par boiling before the air fryer, next time.
lisa
Don’t you have to blanch before cooking in the air fryer?
Ben
You don't, but the texture is best if you blanch them first. Otherwise, the stem areas will be undercooked when the tops are perfectly browned.
Diana E
Maybe a little less soy sauce, but still tasty. I have a silicone basket liner and cleanup is easy.
KASinYVR
Very crispy flowerets that dissolve in your mouth. Perhaps a bit overcooked? I'm going to stick with steamed broccoli.
Caitlin BL
My definition of a small floret must be different than theirs. I think that's why mine turned out so salty! Deliciously browned and crisped! If you're worried about it falling through, you can always put a bit of aluminum down to catch the crumbs.
GabrielleLA
What size air fryer basket is this recipe scaled for? Does it work if the broccoli is piled up?
Remy
The same effect may be achieved by preheating the oven to 400, tossing florets with a bit of olive oil, putting everything on a parchment paper lined sheet pan and roasting for 15 or so minutes. No mess, same crunchy delicious broccoli and no need to worry about where the little tidbits have gone!
KASinYVR
The benefit of the air-fryer is that you don't have to heat an entire oven for a small serving of broccoli. Most air-fryers don't need parchment as they clean up in a jiffy, just like they heat up in a couple of minutes. I'm a fan because of the convenience and using less electricity.
Stewart In Houston
Order these parchment paper (perforated) air fryer basket liners from Amazon for 200 at under $9.00. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B099DWVQ1K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Deborah
How do you keep the little bits and the sauce from dripping through the basket and making a mess?
Marcia
Put a sheet pan below
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