Air Fryer Broccoli 3 Ways

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Make delicious and tender-crisp Air Fryer Broccoli 3 ways with these flavor-packed recipes: crispy garlic, sesame orange and lemon pepper.

❤️ Why You’ll Love this Recipe: Broccoli is a healthy and well-liked veggie, and making it in the air fryer gives you the tender but firm texture everyone loves. These three flavor ideas make it easy to switch up your weeknight dinners with a quick and easy recipe.

How to Make Air Fryer Broccoli

We like our broccoli to be bright green and with a little firmness. Our recipe is light on the charring.

I use an oven-style air fryer for this broccoli. It cooks up in 6 minutes at 350°F. If you’re using a basket-style air fryer, your veggies may cook faster and char more, so check on the broccoli occasionally to reach your perfect level of tenderness and charring.

Air fryer broccoli works best with small to medium pieces.

For all three recipes, it’s important to evenly coat the broccoli with oil before cooking. Use a spatula for mixing so you can scrape the oil off the sides of the bowl and keep distributing it onto the broccoli. You could also mix things up in a Ziploc bag if you prefer.

Tip: Spray your air fryer tray or basket with a light coating of oil to avoid any of the broccoli from sticking.

collage of orange sesame air fryer broccoli

Sesame Orange Broccoli

Sesame oil has a high smoke point, so it works well in the air fryer. It also gives your broccoli a nutty Asian flavor. The orange juice in this recipe adds a touch of sweetness.

Garnish the veggies with orange zest and sesame seeds to enhance both flavors.

collage of lemon pepper air fryer broccoli

Lemon Pepper Broccoli

Lemon pepper is a mix of savory spices with dried lemon peel, which adds a bright citrus flavor to whatever you sprinkle it on. If prefer, you can add fresh lemon zest and black pepper to your broccoli instead.

collage of making air fryer broccoli with classic seasoning

Classic Air Fryer Broccoli

This is an especially kid-friendly take on broccoli. The veggies are seasoned with a simple mixture of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. If you want a little heat, sprinkle some red pepper on top.

For a twist, we like to add a sprinkling of Panko breadcrumbs for a little crunch. You could also add a dusting of grated parmesan cheese if you like.

collage of air fryer broccoli three ways

Can I Use Frozen Broccoli?

You can use frozen broccoli if you prefer. Just don’t thaw your broccoli before air frying, use it directly from frozen. Frozen broccoli has a much quicker prep time, but double the cook time if you’re using frozen. Again, watch it carefully to avoid overcooking.

More Air Fryer Recipes

If you love making fast, delicious recipes in the air fryer, try these other recipes next:

Air Fryer Eggplant Pizza is a fast kid-friendly vegetarian snack with your favorite pizza toppings.
Air Fryer Chicken Fingers are super crispy on the outside with a tender and juicy center.
Easy Asian Air Fryer Chicken Wings are an adult- and kid-approved appetizer with a sweet and sticky glaze.
Parmesan Zucchini Chips Air Fryer from Tasty Air Fryer Recipes, sliced zucchini topped with parmesan cheese then air fried to perfection.

Yield: 4 Servings

Air Fryer Broccoli 3 Ways

Air fryer broccoli is a fast and super easy side dish made three ways: garlic breadcrumbs, orange sesame and lemon pepper

Ingredients

2 cups broccoli cut into small to medium pieces

Classic Air Fryer Broccoli Seasoning:

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Optional:
1 tablespoon Panko bread crumbs
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Sesame Orange Air Fryer Broccoli Seasoning:

2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest (add after air frying)
1 teaspoon sesame seeds (add after air frying)

Lemon Pepper Air Fryer Broccoli Seasoning:

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons lemon pepper

Instructions

In a large bowl or Ziploc bag, add oil and chosen seasoning. Add broccoli and toss until broccoli is coated with oil mixture.

Air fry at 350º F for 6 minutes. (Basket style air fryers cook faster generally, so check on the broccoli occasionally to achieve your perfect level of tenderness and charring.)

If making Sesame Orange Air Fryer Broccoli, sprinkle with orange zest and sesame seeds after air frying.

Air Fryer Broccoli 3 Ways