Crispy Air Fryer Oven Broccoli Recipe (fresh or frozen)

Last updated on January 17th, 2024 at 09:44 pm

Air fryer broccoli is an easy 10-minute healthy side dish the entire family will love. It's a great way to get even the picky eater to eat more veggies. My kids love the crispy seasoned florets and crunchy texture and even ask for seconds! Make a family-sized batch of air fryer broccoli in the Frigidaire Range with Air Fry or use the Instant Pot Vortex Max to air fry enough for one or two. Air-frying vegetables are one of our favorite ways to make a simple side dish that goes with almost anything. Turn fresh or frozen vegetables into something your kids will rave about in less than 15 minutes.

This easy side dish was inspired by my other favorite air fryer side dishes.  Air Fryer Cauliflower, Air Fried Brussels Sprouts, and Air Fryer Red Potatoes, and pair well with Air Fryer Just Bare Chicken Nuggets or Air Fried Chicken Parmesan for an easy dinner on busy weeknights.

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What You'll Need To Make Crispy Air Fried Broccoli:

• Broccoli florets trimmed
• Avocado oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Sea salt
• Black pepper
• Granulated garlic or garlic powder
• Smoked paprika

See the recipe card for instructions

For tips on how to use the Frigidaire Ready Cook tray, you can read more about the Frigidaire ReadyCook Air Fry Tray Review Here.

Air Fry Range Instructions

To start preheat the oven using the air fry function to 400° Next, cut the broccoli into small florets that are similar in size, this will help the broccoli to cook evenly. Place the trimmed broccoli into a medium-sized mixing bowl and pour over the avocado oil. I prefer to use avocado oil because it has a high smoke point and is perfect for cooking at higher heat, you can also use extra virgin olive oil. Toss to coat the florets in oil. Add the seasoning mixture and toss again to distribute evenly.

Using a large sheet pan lined with foil place the Frigidaire Ready Cook Air Fry Tray on top of the sheet pan and dump out the broccoli and spread it out evenly. Be sure not to overcrowd the basket, it's important for air to be able to flow around the food for the best & crispiest results. Place the Ready Cook Air Fry Tray on the 3rd position of the range with the foil-lined drip pan on the rack below to catch any drips or food. Air Fry at 400° for 10-12 minutes for fresh or thawed broccoli, shaking or turning with a spatula halfway through.

Counter Top Air Fryer Instructions

For best results pre-heat the air fryer to 350° for 2-3 minutes while preparing the broccoli in a large bowl. Add the avocado oil and toss to coat the florets, add the seasoning mixture, and toss again to distribute evenly. Place the seasoned broccoli florets in a single layer on the air fryer basket.  Don't overcrowd the air fryer or your food may not crisp up as desired. For fresh or thawed broccoli air fry for 9-10 minutes flipping or shaking the broccoli halfway through the cooking time. For frozen broccoli air fry for 12-14 minutes flipping or shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time. When making a new recipe for the first time watch your food closely to avoid overcooking.

Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli

Can you air-fry frozen broccoli? Yes! Even frozen broccoli can make the perfect side dish. I prefer to use fresh or thawed broccoli for air-frying because it's faster, but if all you have is frozen, you can certainly use it to make crispy air-fried broccoli.

Start by emptying the frozen broccoli into a mixing bowl and removing any ice crystals. Separate any pieces stuck together if possible so they can cook evenly. Follow the same easy recipe instructions on how to prepare with olive oil and seasonings.

The air frying time will need to be increased slightly for seasoned frozen broccoli to remove any excess water. Instead of 10-12 minutes, increase the cooking time to 15-18 minutes or until the broccoli is tender and the tops are crispy.

What Is An Air Fry Range?

A full-size range with air fry is an oven that uses a specialized convection setting designed with superheated air and a higher-speed fan. The hot air circulating around the food gives us that crispy and “fried” texture we love. For more recipes specifically intended for full-size ovens with air fry features check out the Frigidaire Air Fry Range or the Samsung Range articles.

The cook times and temperatures for the full-size range with air fry will vary from smaller countertop air fryers. Follow the recipe instructions for the air fry range when cooking larger batches of food in the oven.

For tips on how to use the Frigidaire Ready Cook tray, you can read more about the Frigidaire ReadyCook Air Fry Tray Review Here.

What To Serve With Air-Fried Broccoli

• Air Fried Whole Chicken
• Air Fried Coconut Shrimp
• Nashville Hot Chicken
• Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps

Recipe Variations

Optional flavors-Change up the seasoning blend and use your favorite seasonings like onion powder or lemon pepper. For some added spice add a dash of red pepper flakes

Cheees- try topping the seasoned broccoli with a few tablespoons of parmesan cheese or serve with a melted cheese sauce on the side.

Savory-add a tablespoon of Balsamic Vinegar when tossing the ingredients together for a sweet and tangy flavor.

Storage & Leftovers

Leftover broccoli can be stored for up to two days in an air-tight container, however, it won't retain the crispy broccoli texture when reheated in the microwave. I recommend only making the amount of broccoli you intend to eat if you prefer the crispy texture, however, leftover air fryer broccoli could be used for a quick stir fry the following day.

Tips

Please follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific appliance and keep in mind that every air fryer may vary slightly in cook time and temperature. The times and temperatures listed here are a guide for you to use and tweak as needed for your own appliance.