We have one non-negotiable rule at our dinner table: there must be something green on our plates! When time is tight, and I need a quick, affordable veggie side, this Air Fryer Broccoli is one of my tried-and-true favorites. It’s crisp on the edges, tender in the middle, and ready in minutes (no need to boil it first!). With a handful of pantry staples and an air fryer, you can turn a humble head of broccoli into a super-satisfying side dish that pairs with just about anything. This easy air fryer broccoli recipe proves that eating more vegetables doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or boring. You’re going to love it!
The seasoning I use here is simple but so good. A little olive oil helps the edges of the broccoli crisp up and brown, and the garlic and onion powder keep it cozy and savory. But it’s the soy sauce that makes all the difference. It adds the best salty, umami flavor to the broccoli, and helps this simple veggie taste FAR from bland. If you love the crisp edges of oven roasted broccoli, you’ll get that same roasty flavor here, but it cooks in literally 6 minutes, and I don’t even have to turn the oven on!
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Gather your ingredients and preheat your air fryer to 400℉.
Season the broccoli: Cut 1 lb. broccoli crowns into florets and toss them with 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp soy sauce, ¼ tsp garlic powder, and ¼ tsp onion powder until evenly coated.
Air fry the broccoli: Transfer the seasoned broccoli florets to the air fryer basket. Be sure to spread them out so they aren’t crowded. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer basket.
Air fry for 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. For extra crispy edges, let it cook for up to 8 minutes.
Serve your air fried broccoli florets and enjoy!
On busy weeknights, I’ll serve this air fried broccoli with a simple and hearty protein, like baked tofu or roasted chicken breasts. Something saucy like our creamy pork chops would also pair nicely. But if I’m being honest, my favorite move is turning this broccoli into a snack situation with a little dip lineup. Comeback sauce, ranch, honey mustard, garlic aioli, sweet chili sauce, or a quick mix of mayo and sriracha all work really well. I also love tossing leftovers into a bowl with whatever grains I have, or chopping the florets and folding them into a quick fried rice or noodle dish for lunch the next day.
Let the broccoli cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat and bring back some of the crisp edge, pop it into the air fryer at 375°F for 2-4 minutes, shaking the basket once halfway through. You can also reheat it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, but it will turn out softer this way!
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