Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli

This air fryer broccoli gets golden and crispy, and is ready in under 10 minutes! Tossed in balsamic vinegar, it is slightly tangy, savory and tender.

While the air fryer is a great way to cook several proteins, we also love it to cook our vegetables! Our faves include air fryer cauliflower and zucchini fries, as well as this crispy broccoli.

Ready in 10 minutes or less, this broccoli recipe has golden crispy bits, but is perfectly tender on the inside.

I love this as an easy side dish that doesn't even require you to heat the oven! Serve with fluffy brown rice and perfectly cooked salmon for an easy, healthy dinner.

Recipe video

Wondering exactly how to cook this recipe? Watch this 1-minute video for step by step instructions! You can find more recipe videos on my YouTube channel.

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Simple ingredients required

For this recipe, you need four simple ingredients. While the air fryer requires less oil than the oven, you do still need to add some oil to help crisp up the broccoli. While I've used olive oil, avocado oil is another great choice.

In addition to oil, we are using balsamic vinegar and salt, making the broccoli savory and slightly tangy.

Cutting the broccoli

Make sure that you cut the broccoli florets into equal-sized florets so that they cook through evenly. I also recommend including the stems as they are tasty and should not be thrown out! For a visual guide on how to cut broccoli into florets, check out how to cook broccoli.

Step by step directions

Scroll to the recipe card for ingredient quantities.

1. Start by cutting broccoli into equal-sized florets (1 to 1.5 inches). Include the stems as well!
2. Add oil, balsamic vinegar and salt.
3. Toss until evenly coated.
4. Place in an air fryer heated to 200°C/390°F.
5. Cook for 7-8 minutes, tossing it up occasionally, until broccoli is golden and crispy (as pictured).

Storage + meal prep

• before cooking- broccoli may be cut into florets and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
• after cooking- cooked broccoli may be cooled and stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• reheat- heat the air fryer back up to 200°C/390°F. Place broccoli into the basket and cook for 2-4 minutes, until heated through.
• freezing- cooked broccoli freezes well. Freeze in an air tight container, freezer or silicone bag, for up to 3 months.
  • see how to freeze broccoli for info on how to freeze raw broccoli

Questions

Can I steam broccoli in the air fryer? 

If you are looking for steamed broccoli, try Instant Pot broccoli, or simply cook it in the microwave for 3 minutes in a covered container with 1-2 tablespoons of water. The best part about the air fryer is the golden caramelization it gets, and adding water would prevent this from happening.

Can I cook the broccoli from frozen?

Yes, you can. Prepare the broccoli the same way (tossing in oil, balsamic vinegar and salt), and cook at 200°F/390°F. Shake the basket up a few times, and cook for longer than fresh broccoli. While it won't be quite as crispy, it still turns out great, and far less mushy than on the stove top.

Which model do you recommend?

I've been using a Phillips basket-style model (similar to this one) for several years and it is still working great. However, if I could do it over again, I would buy the XL model, which fits more food. We also recently purchased the Instant Pot Vortex air fryer oven, but haven't used it enough to comment on it.

More air fryer recipes

• Air Fryer Chicken Wings
• Ultra Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas
• Honey Lime Air Fryer Shrimp
• Breaded Air Fryer Chicken Breast
• Air Fryer Tofu
• Air Fryer Salmon