Cooking Frozen Broccoli in the Air Fryer is a snap! You not only save prep time and cook time, but frozen broccoli is great for the budget. Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli is the perfect easy and delicious weeknight side dish!
Cooking frozen broccoli in the air fryer is the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you don't have a lot of time to cook. Not only is there zero prep work, but you can roast the broccoli in the air fryer in about half the time as in the oven.
Plus, frozen broccoli tends to be more affordable than fresh, so it's especially good if you're trying to eat healthy on a tight budget.
I also love that roasted broccoli is kid friendly and versatile. Change up the seasonings to fit your individual tastes or to match with your main course.
This air fryer frozen broccoli is sure to become your go-to busy weeknight side dish!
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You'll love this recipe because it's:
- Simple & Delicious
- Quick & Easy
- Vegan/Vegetarian
- Kid-friendly
- Has options for WFPB & Oil-Free
- Perfect for adding to Quick Weeknight Meals!
Is frozen broccoli as healthy as fresh?
Frozen vegetables sometimes get a bad reputation for being mushy and flavorless, but when it comes to nutritional value there is little to no difference between fresh and frozen. Thankfully, cooking frozen broccoli in the air fryer is a great way to add back flavor and texture!
Can I use fresh broccoli?
Sure! You can also make fresh broccoli in the air fryer. The directions are a tad different though, so check out this recipe for air fryer broccoli for full instructions.
Ingredients
- frozen broccoli: I recommend finding a brand with whole florets. Some packages of frozen broccoli contain more stems, and while that's not a problem for this recipe, my family just prefers the florets.
- olive oil: This is optional. I just use a small amount for flavor and added crispiness. If you don't want it, just omit it or replace it with veggie broth.
- garlic powder
- oregano
- sea salt
- fresh cracked pepper to taste
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Here are step-by-step instructions with photos.
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 425F or 220C.
- Place the broccoli directly in the air fryer basket without any seasonings and cook for 4 minutes.
Remove the broccoli from the air fryer. Add it to a mixing bowl and toss with olive oil (optional) and seasonings.
Return the broccoli to the air fryer and cook for another 6 to 8 minutes, or until the florets are crispy on the outside.
Serve and enjoy!
Hint: The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer, how full the basket is, and how big the broccoli florets are. Always keep a close eye on the broccoli toward the end so that it doesn't burn.
Variations
The spice mixture I suggest in the recipe card is one of my easy go-to combos. It's quick and goes with most meals. However, there are all sorts of ways to mix up the spices, depending on how you want to serve your frozen broccoli from the air fryer.
- Asian - For pairing with Asian dishes like General Tso's Tofu, swap out ginger for the oregano and soy sauce for the oil.
- Indian - If you want to add this broccoli to a curry or pair it with dahl, try using 1 teaspoon of curry powder in place of the oregano.
- Sweet & Spicy - Add 1 teaspoon of agave or maple syrup and ½ or ¼ of a teaspoon of Sriracha (omit the oregano).
Equipment
For this recipe, you'll need an air fryer (see below for my recommendations) and a mixing bowl. You'll also need a large spoon to mix the broccoli with the seasonings.
All of my favorite products and kitchen tools can be found in my Amazon shop.
What type of Air Fryer should I use?
The air fryer you choose should be the one that best meets your needs for budget, capacity, and storage space. Some air fryers also have other functions like grilling and dehydrating. I ended up buying the Ninja Foodi Grill 4-in-1 because it has a large capacity to feed my family of four.
If you wanted a smaller and more economical air fryer, check out this Farberware 3.4 quart or 4.2 quart Air Fryer. For even more possibilities, take a look at this list of the Best Air Fryers of 2021.
How to serve
Serve this delicious air fryer frozen broccoli as a side dish or add it to a soup, curry, or stew. Some of my favorite main dish pairings include:
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Top tip
Turning the air fryer to a high heat setting will help to get the broccoli nice and crispy, while also cooking off some of the excess water.
Free air fryer e-book
If you love cooking veggies in the air fryer, then be sure to grab your free copy of Easy Air Fryer Sides!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups frozen broccoli
- 1 teaspoon olive oil aquafaba or veggie broth could be substituted to make this oil-free
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- fresh cracked pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 425F or 220C.
- Place the broccoli directly in the air fryer basket without any seasonings and cook for 4 minutes.
- Remove from the air fryer and toss with olive oil (optional) and seasonings.
- Return the broccoli to the air fryer and cook for another 6 to 8 minutes, or until the florets are crispy on the outside.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Cooking times are approximate. The exact time will largely depend on your brand of air fryer and the size of your florets. The first time you make broccoli in the air fryer be sure to check the broccoli so that it doesn't burn.
- 4 cups of frozen broccoli is about 12 ounces of frozen broccoli.
Nutrition
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