This air fryer frozen broccoli recipe gives you perfectly browned crispy broccoli just like you’ve used the oven. But it all comes together in half the time.
Broccoli is so good for you. Packed with fiber, calcium, and potassium, this mighty veggie is also gluten-free, paleo, keto, and low carb.
But the world is full of air fryer frozen broccoli recipes. But what exactly do you need to know about “frying” your frozen broccoli florets in your air fryer? Whether you have a Ninja Foodie Air Fryer, a NuWave Air Fryer, or a Phillips Air Fryer, below is everything you need to know about air frying broccoli and a few additional recipes we love.
So strap in, and you have a one-way ticket to easy side dishes that even the kids will eat.
What You’ll Need for Frozen Broccoli in An Air Fryer
Frozen broccoli. Before you ask, no you don’t need to defrost your broccoli before air frying it. But we’ll cover all of that later in this post. For now, grab yourself a bag of frozen broccoli florets. Any brand will do.
Olive oil. Olive oil in this air fryer veggie recipe helps to get the broccoli perfectly crispy. Friends and family won’t believe that you weren’t roasting these vegetables in the oven for 40 minutes.
Seasoning of choice. This is where you get to be creative. Explore all the corners of the world and the amazing spices that exist.
Salt and pepper. Use a quality season and a freshly ground pepper to taste.
Air Frying Versus Roasting Frozen Broccoli
This is a great question. And you’ll probably get different answers from different people. Some people are die-hard air fryer fans and regardless of what you ask they will always say that anything is better in an air fryer.
But when it comes down to it, in my opinion, it’s all about time and recipe. Anything in an air fryer is going to cook faster. With that said, if you’re cooking for a lot of people, a larger family gathering or a holiday, your oven is still going to be my go-to. Air fryers are great. But if you have 10-15 people over for Thanksgiving or Christmas, you’re probably going to need the extra space your oven provides.
Differences between air frying and roasting:
- Cooking Time: Air fryers typically cook food faster than a conventional oven. Your broccoli may be ready in as little as 10-15 minutes in an air fryer, while baking could take around 20-25 minutes.
- Heat Distribution: An air fryer uses rapid air technology to circulate hot air around the food, which usually results in a more evenly cooked dish. On the other hand, baking in a traditional oven can sometimes lead to uneven cooking.
- Crispiness: Air frying tends to make food crispier on the outside while still keeping it tender on the inside. This could result in broccoli with a crunchy exterior and a soft interior. Baking broccoli, while it can also provide a bit of crunch, generally yields a softer overall texture.
- Oil Usage: If you’re looking to reduce oil in your diet, air frying is a great choice. Air fryers require little to no oil, allowing you to achieve the “fried” effect with less fat. When baking, oil is often used more generously to prevent sticking and to help with roasting.
- Temperature Control: Both methods allow you to control the temperature, but air fryers often heat up more quickly and maintain a consistent temperature better than some ovens.
- Capacity: Traditional ovens have a larger capacity, meaning you can cook more broccoli at once when baking. Air fryers are smaller, which might require cooking in batches if you’re serving a larger group.
- Energy Efficiency: Air fryers, due to their smaller size and faster cooking times, are typically more energy efficient than conventional ovens.
How to Season Broccoli
Broccoli is one of those magical foods that even if it’s not your favorite, with the right ingredients most everyone will enjoy it! Below are a few of my favorite combos to whip out when I know a non-broccoli lovers is sitting at my table:
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder (or onion powder)
- Slap Ya Moma Seasoning
- Truffle salt
- Honey Sriracha sauce
- Celery salt
- Parmesan cheese and Panko bread crumbs
- Ranch seasoning
Making Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
Below is our basic, though delicious air fryer recipe for frozen broccoli. See a few additional favorites below.
Prep time: 2 minutes
Cook time: 8 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen broccoli
- Olive oil spray (about 1 teaspoon)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- Seasoning (of choice)
Directions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees for 4-5 minutes. (Some models recommend that you always preheat. So follow the instructions that are provided).
- While the air fryer is preheating, pour your frozen broccoli into a large mixing bowl. Add the olive oil, seasoning, salt, and pepper, and toss or shake well, but quickly! You don’t want the broccoli defrosting. This is important.
- Add one tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer. This will prevent your air fryer from smoking.
- Place the coated vegetables into the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 5-8 minutes. The longer you cook your broccoli, the crispier it will get. And remember, the smaller the broccoli florets, the faster they will cook.
- Add a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle more salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
Storage for leftover broccoli is easy. In an airtight container, leftovers should last two to three days in the fridge.
Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli Recipes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen broccoli
- olive oil about 1 teaspoon
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- seasoning Add your favorite seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees for 4-5 minutes. (Some models recommend that you always preheat. So follow the instructions that are provided).
- While the air fryer is preheating, pour your frozen broccoli into a large mixing bowl. Add the olive oil, seasoning, salt, and pepper, and toss or shake well, but quickly! You don’t want the broccoli defrosting. This is important.
- Add one tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer. This will prevent your air fryer from smoking.
- Place the coated vegetables into the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 5-8 minutes. The longer you cook your broccoli, the crispier it will get. And remember, the smaller the broccoli florets, the faster they will cook.
- Add a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle more salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Substitutions and Variation of Air Fryer Broccoli
Swap out the oil. Any kind of neutral or non-neutral oil, such as avocado or vegetable oil, will work. I’m a big fan of using peanut oil and then topped my broccoli with sesame seeds when they are done roasting.
Get creative with seasoning. The world is really your oyster here. Start off with ground garlic or onion, then branch out to more adventurous spices with Indian, Asian, and African flavors.
Add that cheese! You heard me right. And be honest, you want to. That bag of shredded cheddar is looking right at you. A minute or two before your broccoli is finished, throw a handful on top. Your taste buds will thank you.
Swap out your veggies. Broccoli is delicious, but so are green beans, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and many different types of squash. Try them all out in your air fryer.
Get creatives with drizzles and toppings. Once your broccoli is done, get creative with what you put on top of it. Try: green onions, Outback’s ranch dressing, or Wing Stop’s ranch dressing!
More Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli Recipes
When you think of it, broccoli is kind of like tofu. It’s delicious on its own but really can take on a whole new life with the right seasoning and recipe. Below are a few of our favorite broccoli recipes that are easily adapted to your air fryer, whether using fresh broccoli or frozen.
Remember, when you’re adapting these recipes, the main difference is that you’ll need to cook them for less time. Use our recipe above as a guide, but remember: you can always “fry” your broccoli longer, not the opposite 😉
Panko Breadcrumb Parmesan Broccoli Roast
When you’re looking for a little crunch, adding Panko and parmesan cheese to broccoli is an amazing solution. Check out this recipe. The first time I made it I was like, “This is good, but it can be better.” So use this recipe as a guide, then add extra Panko and extra Parmesan cheese!
Recipe: Panko Parmesan Broccoli Roast
Ingredients you’ll need:
- Broccoli
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Lemon juice
Broccoli Cheddar Bake
I’ll say it once and that’s it. Broccoli and cheddar are perfect together. So is this recipe from Green Giant! Remember, this is where your aluminum foil comes into play to adapt it to your air fryer.
Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Bake
Ingredients you’ll need:
- Broccoli
- Salted butter
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic
- All-purpose flour
- Chicken or beef broth (I cut this out when I put it in my air fryer. It just seemed too messy.)
- Cheddar cheese
Asian-inspired Roasted Broccoli
In my family, we love anything with the holy trinity of chili paste, garlic and ginger. Oh my! This recipe is perfect how it is. Adapt it to your air fryer and you can’t go wrong.
Recipe: Asian-inspired Roasted Broccoli
Ingredients you’ll need:
- Broccoli
- Soy sauce (teriyaki sauce also works)
- Olive oil
- Rice vinegar (this is my favorite one!)
- Chili paste
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Sesame seeds
Roasted Broccoli With Vinegar-Mustard Glaze
Vinegar and mustard wasn’t the first thing I was dying to try with broccoli. When I’m trying to get picky eaters to eat their veggies mustard it’s my go-to. But there is something about this recipe that hits all the right notes. Pro tip: add a hint of honey at the end for a tad of sweetness!
Recipe: Broccoli With Vinegar-Mustard Glaze
Ingredients you’ll need:
- Broccoli
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Unsalted butter
- Sherry or red wine vinegar
- Dijon mustard
Air Fryer Veggies FAQs
Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer?
You can definitely put aluminum foil in the air fryer. However, one thing to remember is that what makes air fryers such amazing kitchen appliances is how the air flows and circulates. If you’re not familiar, the power of the air fryer is really the rapid air fryer technology.
With that said, anything that you put in your air fryer could potentially prevent that airflow. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use it! Especially if you’re playing around with adding ingredients such as cheese you don’t want falling towards the bottom of your fryer.
Should I thaw frozen vegetables before air frying?
No, there is no need to thaw frozen vegetables before air frying them. In fact, it’s better to cook them straight from frozen. Thawing first could result in excess water and lead to a soggy texture. Just keep in mind that cooking frozen vegetables might take a little longer than fresh ones.
How do you cook frozen broccoli without getting soggy?
To cook frozen broccoli without getting it soggy, follow these steps:
- Don’t Thaw: As mentioned above, avoid thawing your frozen broccoli before cooking. The excess water released during thawing can lead to a soggy result.
- Give It Space: When using an air fryer, make sure not to overcrowd it. The hot air needs to circulate around each piece of broccoli to ensure it gets crispy. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Dry Seasoning: Consider using dry seasonings instead of marinades. Liquid can contribute to sogginess. Season the broccoli with your favorite dry spices before air frying.
- Shake It Up: Halfway through the cooking process, pause the air fryer and give the broccoli a shake or turn with a spatula. This ensures even cooking and crispiness.
- Optimal Temperature: Cook at a higher temperature to ensure a crispy result. A good starting point for frozen broccoli is 400°F (200°C). Always refer to your air fryer’s manual for optimal cooking temperatures.
- Monitor: Keep an eye on your broccoli towards the end of the cooking time to ensure it doesn’t burn or overcook. Remember, it’s better to undercook and add more time as necessary to achieve your desired level of crispiness.
How do you steam frozen broccoli in an air fryer?
Steaming frozen broccoli (in fact many frozen vegetables) is super easy in an air fryer. You don’t need to thaw your frozen broccoli before placing them in your air fryer. In fact, to steam frozen broccoli it only takes 3-4 minutes. But remember, since each air fryer is different, always reference the instructions of your particular air fryer model.
Can you make frozen veggies in an air fryer?
Yes, you can definitely make frozen vegetables in an air fryer. In fact, it is one of my favorite ways to cook vegetables. While baking vegetables in the oven can take a long time to get them crispy, and microwaving vegetables can lead to a mushy mess, air fryers can make some incredible roasted broccoli in only a few minutes (about 10 to 15 minutes).
Even better, vegetables actually cook better in an air fryer when they are frozen. The circulating air allows the exterior of the vegetable to reach a perfect level of roast, while the interior stays nice and juicy since it is initially frozen.
What is the healthiest way to cook frozen broccoli?
The healthiest way to cook broccoli is to steam it. This is because steaming helps preserve broccoli’s nutrients, like vitamins C and K, as well as its antioxidants, and phytochemicals. With that said, air frying broccoli is also extremely healthy. Especially since you’re using less oil than in a traditional roasting method.
What ingredients are needed to cook frozen broccoli in an air fryer?
Technically, all you need to cook frozen broccoli in an air fryer is a few key ingredients. But if you want to spice up your broccoli and add variety to your side dish, see below for some of our favorite recipes we’ve tested out. Your basics for all air fryer frozen broccoli recipes include:
- Frozen broccoli
- Olive oil
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- Seasoning (Add your favorite seasoning)
How long can you store frozen broccoli in the freezer?
Such an important question but one I don’t think we think about often. How long can and how long should you keep frozen foods?
For frozen broccoli, the rule of thumb is to keep it for no longer than three months. This will help it maintain its peak taste and nutrition. Any longer, you are risking freezer burn. And freezer burn, for so many reasons, is never something to mess with.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Crispy Green Bean Fries
Air Fryer Polenta Fries
“Fried” Ravioli in 15 Minutes
Air Fryer Loaded Potato Skins
Have questions or suggestions about this air fryer frozen broccoli recipe? Leave them in the comments below.
