How to Air Fry Broccoli

Air fryer broccoli is one of the easiest side dishes I make. The broccoli comes out tender in the middle with crispy, slightly charred edges, and the whole thing takes less than 10 minutes once the air fryer is preheated.

I use a Cuisinart air fryer that opens like a mini toaster oven. I like it because there are no plastic parts around the cooking area.

The inside, tray and basket are all metal, and the tray is very easy to wash.

For the broccoli, I usually buy the bag of broccoli florets from Costco because I find it has one of the best prices.

It also saves me time since the broccoli is already washed and cut into florets.

This is one of those side dishes I make when I want something easy and don’t feel like doing much prep.

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Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Broccoli

There are a few reasons why I make broccoli this way so often.

It’s fast. The broccoli cooks in about 9 minutes.

It gets crispy. The air fryer gives the broccoli browned, roasted edges without having to turn on the oven.

There’s very little prep. I use bagged broccoli florets, so there’s no need to break down a whole head of broccoli.

Cleanup is easy. I cook everything directly on the metal air fryer tray.

And honestly, I even cut the broccoli right on the tray with kitchen scissors because I’m usually too lazy to wash a cutting board.

What Air Fryer I Use

I use a Cuisinart air fryer that looks more like a small toaster oven than a traditional basket-style air fryer.

I like this style because the cooking area and trays are metal rather than plastic. The door opens in the front, so I can slide the tray in and out just like a mini oven.

The metal tray is also easy to wash after cooking.

If you have a basket-style air fryer, you can still follow this recipe. You may just need to adjust the cooking time slightly depending on your air fryer.

Ingredients

You only need a few ingredients:

• Broccoli florets
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper

I usually use the bagged broccoli florets from Costco.

How to Air Fry Broccoli

1. Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.

I always preheat mine before adding the broccoli.

2. Put the Broccoli on the Tray

Spread the broccoli florets directly onto the air fryer tray.

I use Costco’s bagged broccoli florets because they are convenient and usually a great price.

Some of the florets can be pretty large, so I use kitchen scissors to cut the bigger pieces into smaller florets right on the tray.

This also means I don’t have to dirty a cutting board.

Try to spread the broccoli out into a fairly even layer so the hot air can circulate around it.

3. Season the Broccoli

Season the broccoli with salt and black pepper.

I’m fairly generous with the salt because broccoli can handle a good amount of seasoning.

Then drizzle olive oil over the broccoli.

You want enough olive oil to lightly coat the florets, but you don’t need to soak them.

4. Air Fry for 5 Minutes

Put the tray into the preheated air fryer.

Air fry at 375°F for 5 minutes.

5. Flip the Broccoli

After 5 minutes, take the tray out.

Flip or toss the broccoli so the other sides have a chance to brown.

Then return the tray to the air fryer.

6. Air Fry for Another 3 Minutes

Continue air frying at 375°F for another 3 minutes.

At this point, the broccoli should be tender and starting to brown around the edges.

7. Finish at 400°F

Take the broccoli out again and increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F.

Return the broccoli to the air fryer and cook for about 1 more minute.

That final blast of higher heat helps crisp up the edges.

Then take the broccoli out and serve immediately.

How Long Do You Air Fry Broccoli?

With my Cuisinart air fryer, I cook broccoli for a total of about 9 minutes:

5 minutes at 375°F, then flip.

3 more minutes at 375°F.

Then 1 final minute at 400°F to crisp the edges.

Air fryers can cook differently, so you may need to adjust the timing slightly for your model.

Why I Finish the Broccoli at 400°F

I like cooking most of the broccoli at 375°F so it has time to become tender without burning.

Then I increase the temperature to 400°F for the last minute.

That gives the edges a little extra crispiness without overcooking the inside.

It’s a small step, but it makes a noticeable difference.

How to Make Air Fryer Broccoli Crispy

The most important thing is not overcrowding the tray.

If the broccoli is piled on top of itself, it will steam instead of roast.

Spread the florets out as much as possible.

Also, make sure you use at least a little olive oil. The oil helps the edges brown and crisp.

And don’t skip the final minute at 400°F if you like your broccoli crispy.

Do You Need to Wash Bagged Broccoli?

If you’re using pre-washed broccoli florets, you can use them straight from the bag.

If the broccoli is not labeled as pre-washed, rinse it first and dry it well.

Wet broccoli will steam more and won’t crisp up as easily in the air fryer.

Can You Use a Basket-Style Air Fryer?

Yes.

You can use the same temperature and general method in a basket-style air fryer.

Just make sure the broccoli isn’t overcrowded and shake the basket instead of flipping the florets individually.

Because air fryer models vary, start checking the broccoli a little early the first time you make it.

Air Fryer Broccoli Variations

Once you’ve made the basic version, you can easily change the flavor.

Garlic Broccoli

Add garlic powder before air frying.

Parmesan Broccoli

Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the broccoli after cooking.

Lemon Broccoli

Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the broccoli right before serving.

Spicy Broccoli

Add crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper before air frying.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Broccoli

Air fryer broccoli is an easy side dish for:

• Chicken
• Steak
• Salmon
• Pork chops
• Burgers
• Pasta
• Rice bowls
• Rotisserie chicken
• Meatballs

It’s especially convenient on busy nights because the broccoli cooks while you’re preparing the rest of dinner.

How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Broccoli

Store leftover broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

For the best texture, reheat it in the air fryer rather than the microwave.

A few minutes in the air fryer will help crisp the edges back up.

Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe

Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Total Time: About 11 minutes

Ingredients

• Broccoli florets
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
2. Spread the broccoli florets onto the air fryer tray.
3. Use kitchen scissors to cut any large florets into smaller pieces.
4. Season generously with salt and add black pepper.
5. Drizzle the broccoli with olive oil.
6. Air fry at 375°F for 5 minutes.
7. Remove the tray and flip or toss the broccoli.
8. Air fry at 375°F for another 3 minutes.
9. Remove the tray and increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F.
10. Air fry for 1 additional minute to crisp the edges.
11. Serve immediately.

Final Tip

Keep an eye on the broccoli during that last minute at 400°F.

The little florets can go from perfectly crispy to too dark pretty quickly.

Once you figure out the exact timing for your air fryer, this is an easy side dish to make again and again.