Frozen Broccoli in Air Fryer

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Frozen broccoli is a super convenient option for a quick side dish, but let’s be real—no one likes it when it turns out mushy! This air fryer frozen broccoli recipe gives you perfectly crispy, flavorful florets that everyone will love. It’s fast, simple, and sure to become a new favorite in no time!

air-fried-broccoli-florets-served-on-a-plate-with-lemon-slices

If you’re all about air fryer veggies, don’t miss this Air Fryer Butternut Squash for a sweet and savory side or the Air Fryer Red Potatoes for a crispy, flavorful addition to any meal!

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Why the Air Fryer is a Must-Have

The air fryer has totally changed the way we cook in the kitchen!

Forget boiling that leaves broccoli limp and roasting that takes ages—this gadget does it all faster and better. With its powerful circulating heat, the air fryer delivers perfectly crispy, golden broccoli that’s still tender inside, and it does it in half the time of traditional methods. It’s quick, simple, and makes cooking so much easier. Once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it!

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What You’ll Need For Frozen Broccoli in Air Fryer

Ready to make some delicious magic? I’m so excited! The ingredient list? Don’t even stress about that, it’s probably already in your kitchen:

1 bag (about 1 pound) frozen broccoli florets
1 tablespoon olive oil (you can go a little bit more or a little bit less it’s totally up to you)
½ teaspoon salt (to taste, feel free to add or subtract based on your preference)
¼ teaspoon black pepper (just a little to wake up our friend broccoli)
Garlic powder (I just love how it makes the broccoli tasty! You could skip it tho!)
Red pepper flakes (if you’re like my husband and love some spicy touches!)

bowl-of-fresh-broccoli-florets-surrounded-by-ingredients-including-turmeric-and-oil

See that? Just a few things to get an AMAZING result. The recipe can be totally modified to YOUR preference so feel free to express yourself while cooking!

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The Easiest Directions

Here is what is making this dish super SIMPLE, get ready in 20 MINUTES:

PREHEAT: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) – this gets the process off to a quick start

PREP: No defrosting is needed. Simply throw your frozen broccoli into a bowl. You Add olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then just give it all a GOOD TOSS! Make sure every floret is happy.

bowl-of-broccoli-florets-seasoned-with-turmeric-and-salt

COOK: Dump the broccoli in a single layer in your air fryer basket – Don’t overcrowd your basket if possible for BETTER cooking!. This allows all pieces to be perfectly crispy. I would do two batches in the fryer for BEST results! Set your timer for 10 minutes.

FLIP & FRY: At 10-minute point, flip the florets with a spatula. Now set timer for another 5 to 10 minutes for a total of about 15 to 20 MINUTES. Cook time can vary by each air fryer so keep an eye for browning or how crispy the outside is for YOUR preference.

ENJOY: Serve it right away, add some fresh lemon and other flavors for MORE! That is all it takes! You’ve got a super healthy and flavorful side.

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Pro Tips for Air Fryer FROZEN Broccoli PERFECTION

Don’t Crowd the Basket: For truly crispy results, make sure your broccoli isn’t overcrowded. Give those florets space! Doing two batches ensures every piece cooks perfectly.

Experiment with Seasonings: Don’t be afraid to try things! Want it garlicky? Throw in more garlic! Feeling the heat? Add red pepper flakes! The sky’s the limit! A lemon drizzle is my all time favorite

Add the Cheese: After the cooking time sprinkle some fresh Parmesan to the air fryer and melt the cheese and get some melted deliciousness in your dish!

Shake it Up: Always shake the air fryer basket about halfway during the cooking to make sure it is cooking evenly

Texture Matters: Check if your desired crispness is achieved! For more crispy, keep in air fryer for a couple of more minutes and be vigilant not to burn!

Serve Immediately: Best served fresh, they may get soggy if you leave it too long so keep them for your lunch box, they can be kept well for another meal

Leftovers can be awesome: Use these on a frittata or an omelet and get an awesome healthy addition for you lunch the next day!

golden-air-fried-broccoli-with-lemon-slices-on-a-white-plate

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Make it YOUR Way

What is super great with this is that it has versatility! These simple additions can make your air fryer broccoli even MORE exciting. Try adding different flavours for all different kind of experiences

Lemon: A spritz of lemon is always a fresh addition
Cheese: I personally LOVE parmesan with a couple of spices
Everything Bagel Seasoning: You can get a wonderful blend of all flavors that make it so DELICIOUS
Soy Sauce: Adding a quick stir with some soy sauce at the end will totally turn this basic vegetable into a flavor BOMB.

crispy-air-fried-broccoli-on-a-white-plate-with-lemon-wedges

golden-air-fried-broccoli-with-lemon-slice

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Air Fryer FROZEN Broccoli FAQs

Can I air fry frozen broccoli without thawing it first?

ABSOLUTELY! That’s the beauty of it. Go straight from the freezer to the air fryer for that CRISP texture.

How do I keep the broccoli from being soggy?

Do not overcrowd, do a couple of batches and enjoy the difference!. The more room your broccoli has to roast, the crisper it becomes!. Always preheat the air fryer for even results!

Can I add cheese or seasonings?

DEFINITELY! Any flavors can do the trick!. Try anything, cheese or a light glaze with different seasonings of your choice

What is the BEST way to serve it?

My fave way? RIGHT AWAY!. Enjoy the warmth and flavour before it goes cold

Is it okay to use spray cooking oils?

Yes, go for a light spritz!. Regular cooking oil may burn because of high temperature in the air fryer, try light sprays!

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Well, that’s a WRAP! See, cooking veggies can be easy, delicious and FUN! Air fryer frozen broccoli can be so FAST! I mean, a perfect crispy side in about 20 MINUTES! Isn’t that great! Seriously try it this way and this would become a GO-TO quick meal that makes a big difference. I’m sure you will make everyone happy. This makes meal prep SIMPLE and tasty! Enjoy!