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Air fryer broccoli with tender florets and browned roasted edges on a ceramic plate

Air Fryer Broccoli with Tender and Roasted Florets

Air Fryer Broccoli with tender centers and roasted, crisp edges is a quick vegetable side with satisfying texture and savory appeal. It is an easy choice for weeknight meals or whenever you want a flavorful broccoli dish.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 9 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Side
Cuisine: American
Calories: 54
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • one 12-ounce (340 g) bag broccoli florets (or one head of broccoli cut into about 3 cups of florets)
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1-2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Add the broccoli florets to a bowl. Pour in the water, oil, and salt, then break larger florets into bite-sized pieces. Gently massage the mixture for 30-60 seconds until the broccoli becomes slightly brighter green and evenly coated.
  2. Transfer the broccoli to the air fryer basket, leaving any remaining liquid in the bowl. Air fry at 350°F (177°C) for 5 minutes, then shake the basket. The broccoli should look bright green and tender, similar to steamed broccoli.
Cooking
  1. Continue air frying at 375°F (191°C) for 2 minutes, or until the florets begin developing browned, crisped edges. Adjust the final texture as needed based on your preferred level of crispness.
Serving
  1. Serve the broccoli warm with a dipping sauce or a sprinkle of Parmesan if desired.

Notes

You can prepare this directly in the air fryer basket by massaging the broccoli with the oil and salt there, then adding the water below the grates. Air fryers vary in size and temperature, so smaller batches may work better depending on capacity. Slight overlap in the basket is fine because the broccoli shrinks during cooking and can form a more even layer later. If the final roast does not provide enough crisping, increase the finishing temperature to 390°F or 400°F. For a basket-free air fryer, follow the first step and transfer the broccoli to a baking sheet. The moisture coating helps the broccoli stay tender while roasting.