Make the best Roasted Broccoli (in Air Fryer) with simple ingredients in about 10 minutes from start to finish. Who knew all it would take to get kids hooked on broccoli is a touch of parmesan?!
And... just like that you've got delicious air fryer broccoli parmesan to serve as an easy side dish that your whole family will love!
In fact, I 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!
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 (using an air fryer shortens the cooking process).
I've had my Air Fryer for four years and I'm using it just as much now as when I bought it. I highly recommend it! It works like a small convection oven. This is why it's able to roast broccoli in a fraction of the time compared to when I make oven-roasted broccoli.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy With my air fryer, I can have this easy broccoli recipe ready in 7 minutes, which is about the time it takes for my oven to heat up. 😅 If your kids are old enough to use an air fryer, they can make this recipe! It's so easy!
- Meal Prep If you are starting with a broccoli head or two, you can wash it and cut it into florets ahead of time. If you have extra broccoli, double this recipe and use the leftover roasted broccoli in dishes throughout the week. Examples include grain bowls, pesto tortellini, egg casserole, cooked orzo with broccoli, or omelets.
- 'Healthy' Side Dish Not only is broccoli a great source of fiber and a variety of other nutrients, but this recipe uses less oil (compared to other roasted veggie recipes) and a small amount of salt. I often hesitate to use the word 'healthy' to describe food because it means something different for everyone. Still, I think this recipe meets the criteria for many people, so I decided to go with it. 😉
- Kid-Approved Kids just love tender broccoli roasted to perfection, with crisp edges and just enough saltiness from parmesan cheese. If you have a child with a milk allergy, simply leave the parmesan cheese out.
Dietitian Tip
First, I should start by saying that I don't like eating raw broccoli. There's something about the flavor that I just don't like. But... I love roasted broccoli.
And guess what? My husband is the exact opposite. Any time I make cooked broccoli (no matter how I make it), he asks me to reserve raw broccoli for him.
We are the perfect example of why it's important to serve foods in different ways. Sometimes more exposure will increase acceptance of foods, and other times it's a matter of preparing it different ways.
Air-frying broccoli is my favorite way to make broccoli because it has amazing flavor and is ready in no time. Just like when roasting Brussels sprouts, all it takes is a little bit of oil, a pinch of salt and black pepper, and a light sprinkle of parmesan cheese to make the most delicious air fryer broccoli parmesan.
Ingredient Notes
- Broccoli Use fresh broccoli florets. 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.
- Seasonings I like to keep things simple, so I suggest making this recipe as is the first time you make it. If you prefer heavily seasoned foods, try adding onion powder and garlic powder the next time you make it. And if you like spicy food, try adding a pinch or two of red pepper flakes.
How to Make This Easy Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe
Here's a quick overview of the steps to make roasted broccoli in an air fryer. For the full list of ingredients and specific instructions, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Prepare the broccoli: cut the broccoli into florets.
- Rinse with water and drain all excess water.
- Add broccoli florets to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle broccoli with olive oil. Add salt and black pepper. Toss to coat.
- Spread florets out evenly in a single layer on an air fryer rack fit for your air fryer. Sprinkle parmesan over the tops of the broccoli florets. Air fry at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 minutes.
Helpful Tips
- 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.
- Drain the broccoli for a minute or two to remove excess water.
- Use pre-packaged broccoli florets to save time.
- Place the drip pan under the air fryer basket to catch any drips of oil or pieces of salt, pepper, or parmesan.
- Larger pieces of broccoli will take longer to cook, up to 8-10 minutes.
- 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.
- I use a Cuisinart Digital AirFryer Toaster Oven. Different air fryers may require small adjustments in temperature and/or cooking time.
- The best way to reheat leftovers is in the air fryer. Air fry leftover broccoli for 1-2 minutes, being sure not to cook them too long or else the broccoli may burn.
Questions You May Have
Broccoli parmesan can be served as a side to almost any meal. Serve it alongside chicken nuggets, grilled chicken, pork chops, salmon, or even a sandwich.
Cauliflower! Follow the same instructions using cauliflower, except you may need to air fry it for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Leftover air-fried broccoli can easily be added to omelets, pasta, stir-fry, grain bowls, and soups.
Once cooled to room temperature, store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate or freeze. Defrosted roasted broccoli will be soggy, so only freeze leftovers if you intend to add it to stir-fries or casseroles once it's defrosted.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Did your kids love this air-fryer roasted broccoli? Please leave a comment and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below to let me know. A 5-star rating is the best compliment!
Don't forget to follow @carrots.and.cookies on Instagram for more easy recipes with nutrition tips. Enjoy!
📖 Recipe
Super Easy Roasted Broccoli in Air Fryer
Equipment
- 1 tongs
Ingredients
- 3 cups broccoli florets From about one large or two small heads of broccoli. Pre-packaged broccoli florets can be used instead.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin. can use avocado oil instead.
- 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1 pinch salt sea salt or table salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Cut broccoli into small florets.
- Rinse and drain broccoli florets. Let dry for at least one to two minutes to remove excess water.
- Blace broccoli florets in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil. Add salt and pepper. Toss to coat.3 cups broccoli florets, 1 pinch salt, 1 pinch black pepper, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Place air fryer basket on top of the drip pan. Spread broccoli out in a single layer on the air fryer basket.
- Sprinkle parmesan cheese on the broccoli florets.1 tablespoon parmesan cheese
- Place the air fryer rack in the air fryer and air fry at 375°F for 7 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- To save time, buy pre-packaged, pre-washed broccoli florets. You will still need to cut them into smaller pieces.
- Larger pieces of broccoli will take longer to cook.
- If florets are cut into very small pieces, reduce the cooking time to make sure it doesn't burn.
- For an enhanced parmesan taste, sprinkle just a pinch of additional parmesan on the florets right when they come out of the air fryer.
- I do not pre-heat my air fryer. If your air fryer instructs you to preheat it first, check on the broccoli after four to five minutes to be sure it is not burning.
- The tops of the broccoli should be browned, but not burnt.
- Avocado oil or a neutral cooking oil can be used in place of olive oil.
- If your child has a milk allergy, simply leave the parmesan out.
- I use a Cuisinart Digital AirFryer Toaster Oven. Different air fryers might require small adjustments in temperature and/or cook time.
- Always follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to properly and safely use your air fryer.
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