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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Super Easy Air Fryer Broccoli Parmesan

    Published: Dec 13, 2021 · Modified: Jan 26, 2022 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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

    Air-fried broccoli on a plate with a fork.

    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!

    Why This Recipe is so Great

    • 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, parmesan cheese, and olive oil ingredients labeled.
    • 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 an 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

    • 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.

    Recipe FAQs

    What do you serve with broccoli?

    Broccoli parmesan can be served as a side to almost any meal. Serve it alongside chicken nuggets, grilled chicken, salmon, or even a sandwich.

    What can I use instead of broccoli?

    Cauliflower! Follow the same instructions using cauliflower, except you may need to air fry it for an additional one to two minutes.

    What can I make with leftover broccoli?

    Leftover air-fried broccoli can easily be added to omelets, a stir-fry, grain bowls, and soups.

    More Air Fryer Recipes

    • 15-Minute Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
    • Perfectly Roasted Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chunks
    • Kale Chips (Air Fryer)
    • Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries

    Did your kids love this parmesan broccoli? Please leave a 5-star rating below or a review in the comments section!

    Don't forget to snap a pic of their beautiful broccoli side dish and tag @carrots.and.cookies on Instagram so I can see it. Enjoy!

    Air fried broccoli on a white plate with a fork.

    Super Easy Broccoli Parmesan (Air Fryer)

    Kristi
    This broccoli parmesan is a simple and delicious recipe that is a hit with kids!
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 7 mins
    Total Time 12 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 59 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    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
    • 1 tablespoon pamesan cheese freshly grated
    • 1 pinch salt
    • 1 pinch pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Cut broccoli into small florets.
    • Rinse and drain broccoli florets. Let dry for at least one to two minutes.
    • Place air fryer rack on top of the drip pan. Spread broccoli out in a single layer on the air fryer rack.
    • Drizzle olive oil on broccoli and toss to coat.
    • Sprinkle salt and pepper on the broccoli florets.
    • Sprinkle parmesan cheese on the broccoli florets.
    • Place the air fryer rack in the air fryer and air fry at 375°F for 7 minutes.
    • Serve!

    Notes

    The drip pan can go right into the dishwasher (as long as it's dishwasher safe) while the broccoli is in the air fryer. 
    Alternately, you can place all ingredients in a bowl and toss to coat before spreading out on the air fryer rack. 
    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. 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 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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 59kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 52mgPotassium: 217mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 435IUVitamin C: 61mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Side Dishes

    • Simple Unsweetened Applesauce
    • Easy Vegan Chocolate Avocado Truffles for Kids
    • Easy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup (Vitamix)
    • Easy Homemade Garlic Croutons (in Air Fryer)

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    Kristi Ruth wearing a green long sleeved blouse and jeans, holding tri-colored carrots plated on a white oval platter with one hand and leaning on the counter with the other hand in a kitchen.
    Welcome! Kristi is a Registered Dietitian and busy mom of three, ages 7-15. After being displaced from a housefire in 2021, Kristi decided to say 'goodbye' to her long commute so she could turn her passion for sharing easy recipes and tips to help you learn what it means to feed your family well with less stress into a reality. Let's get cooking!

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