Super Easy Air Fryer Broccoli Parmesan

All it takes is a touch of parmesan to get kids hooked on broccoli! In just ten minutes, you will have a kid-favorite veggie side dish ready to be devoured. You're welcome!

And, just like that you've got a delicious side that the whole family will love!

In fact, I actually just air fried a batch and have it sitting out on my counter for when my kids walk in the door - I'm pretty sure it won't last until dinner!

Now, if you don't have an air fryer, no problem! You can get very similar results by roasting broccoli in the oven - it will just take longer. With my air fryer, I can have this broccoli parmesan ready in about the time it takes my oven to heat up.

I've had my Cuisinart Digital AirFryer Toaster Oven now for one year and I'm using it just as much now as when I bought it - I highly recommend it! It works like a very small convection oven, which is how it's able to cook food so much faster than a traditional oven.

For more kid-favorite air-fryer recipes, check out my homemade tortilla chips, beet chips, apple slices, frozen sweet potato fries, kale chips, and croutons recipes!

Recipe Highlights

• Cooks quicker than when using a traditional oven.
• Air-frying broccoli gives broccoli a texture that kids love.
• Calls for much less parmesan than most other recipes.
• If your kids are old enough to use an air fryer, they can make this recipe! It's easy!
• Pre-packaged broccoli florets can be used to save even more time.
• Leftovers can be used in other dishes, like grain bowls, quiche, or omelets.

Ingredient Notes

• Broccoli A cruciferous vegetable that contains strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Parmesan cheese Adds a unique and salty flavor that kids love.
• Extra virgin olive oil Contains healthy fats.

Step-by-step instructions

Here's a quick overview of the steps to make broccoli parmesan in the air fryer. For the full list of ingredients and specific instructions, scroll down to the recipe.

1. Prepare the broccoli: cut the broccoli into florets. Rinse with water and drain.
2. Drizzle broccoli florets with olive oil. Toss to coat.
3. Spread florets out evenly in a single layer on an air fryer rack fit for your air fryer.
4. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the tops of the broccoli florets.
5. Sprinkle parmesan over the tops of the broccoli florets.
6. Air fry at 375 degrees for 7 minutes.

Expert Tips & FAQs

• Cut the medium-sized florets in half lengthwise so they are all similar in size. For the larger florets, either quarter them lengthwise or cut more of the stem off so the broccoli will be broken down into smaller pieces.
• Give the broccoli a minute or two to drain so that minimal water remains.
• Alternately, you can place all ingredients in a bowl, mix with tongs, and then spread evenly in a single layer.
• Place your air fryer rack on your drip pan when drizzling the olive oil. The drip pan can go right into the dishwasher (as long as it's dishwasher safe).
• Larger pieces of broccoli will take longer to cook.
• The tops of the broccoli should be browned, but not burnt.
• For even more parmesan flavor, sprinkle a little more on the roasted broccoli immediately after taking it out of the air fryer.
• Leftovers can easily be reheated in the air fryer. Simply put the broccoli back in the oven for one to two minutes, being sure not to cook them too long to prevent them from burning.
• If you have a child with a milk allergy, simply leave the parmesan cheese out. It will no longer be called broccoli parmesan, but it will still taste great!
• I use a Cuisinart Digital AirFryer Toaster Oven. Different air fryers may require small adjustments in temperature and/or cook time.