Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe

My tender and crispy 5-ingredient Air Fryer Broccoli is so easy to make and simply delicious—it’s a side dish even the kiddos will love!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings servings

Calories 115kcal

Cut the broccoli into large florets, about 1 inch wide and 2 inches in length.
In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, olive oil, garlic powder, salt and black pepper. Stir well to coat the broccoli with the seasonings.
In the basket of an air fryer, place the broccoli in an even layer. Cook at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the broccoli is crisp but tender. Season with more salt and pepper to taste.
Serve immediately with lemon wedges if you like.

To help soften the broccoli, add 1 tablespoon of water to the base of the air fryer (underneath the basket) before cooking. This is optional, but it’s a good trick if you or your kids prefer softer florets.
This is the one air fryer recipe where it’s ok to crowd the pan! The broccoli will first steam and soften, then shrink slightly in size. As it continues to cook, the exposed edges will crisp up. I still recommend arranging everything in a single layer so the broccoli cooks evenly.
Use a non-aerosol cooking spray for your air fryer basket. Aerosol sprays can cause buildup that will damage the non-stick coating or leave a very sticky residue. You can find cooking oil sprays that are labeled as non-aerosol or specifically mention they are for air fryer use.
If you like to line your air fryer basket with parchment paper for easy clean-up, make sure you poke holes in it for venting. Why? If you don’t, the air fryer can’t do its job fully—blowing hot air all around your food.