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Air fryer broccoli is on regular rotation at my house, but recently I only had frozen, so I did some testing and discovered that cooking frozen broccoli in the air fryer works just as well! When you don’t have fresh on hand, air fryer frozen broccoli is an incredibly simple way to make a delicious, nutritious side dish in just minutes. It’s so much faster than roasted broccoli or cooking other frozen veggies in the oven (like my roasted frozen brussels sprouts).
Not only is this recipe quick, easy, and delicious, but it’s so versatile. You can throw the cooked broccoli into broccoli salad with bacon, broccoli cheese soup, or chicken broccoli casserole.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli Recipe
- The fastest way to cook frozen broccoli
- Crisp-tender texture with crispy browned edges
- Only 4 ingredients
- Naturally whole30, paleo, grain-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, low carb, keto, and just plain healthy
- Great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, and potassium
- Easy healthy side dish
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for frozen broccoli in the air fryer, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Frozen Broccoli – You can use a bag of frozen broccoli florets from the store or use broccoli you froze yourself. Make sure they are large florets, not petite florets, as small ones tend to burn more easily. You can also use fresh broccoli, but will need to shave a few minutes off the cook time — see my air fryer broccoli recipe.
- Avocado Oil – A drizzle of avocado oil helps to make frozen vegetables nice and crispy. Olive oil would work as well.
- Salt & Pepper
VARIATION: Add other seasonings!
I kept it simple with just salt and pepper, but you can also add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, lemon pepper seasoning (or a splash of lemon juice), chili powder, cumin, Italian seasoning, or red pepper flakes. Try a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese at the end, too!
How To Cook Frozen Broccoli In The Air Fryer
This section shows how to make frozen broccoli in the air fryer, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Season. In a large mixing bowl, toss frozen broccoli with olive oil, until coated well. Season with salt and pepper.
- Air fry. Arrange florets in the air fryer basket, in a single layer. Air fry frozen broccoli florets until crispy, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Adjust. Add additional salt and pepper to taste, if needed.
How Long To Cook Frozen Broccoli In The Air Fryer?
Cook frozen broccoli in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes to cook at 400 degrees F. The time can vary by a couple of minutes depending on the size of the florets.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Keep cooked veggie leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat: Warm broccoli in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 350 degrees F, or in the oven at the same temperature for 5-10 minutes.
- Freeze: Place any leftovers from this air fryer broccoli recipe in an airtight container in the freezer for 2-3 months. Although broccoli will still be safe to eat, the texture will not be as good after repeated freezing.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
This dish pairs with any number of main courses, but here are a few of my favorites:
- Chicken – Keep your meal simple with pan seared chicken breasts, chicken leg quarters, or baked chicken legs. Or, make it a little more fancy by pairing these florets with creamy mushroom chicken, French onion chicken, or lemon chicken piccata.
- Seafood – If you want an all around healthy meal, pair this recipe with seafood dishes like crab stuffed salmon, crab legs, garlic butter shrimp, or baked cod. This savory broccoli really balances the spiciness of my blackened salmon, too.
- Beef – You need a veggie side to go with Hunan beef, sirloin steak, or prime rib roast. Pair with rice (or cauliflower rice) or roasted potatoes.
- Pork – Veggie sides work perfectly with stuffed pork chops, pan seared pork chops, or even Crock Pot pork tenderloin.
More Air Fryer Side Dish Recipes
An air fryer creates incredibly crunchy, caramelized results fast — so it’s one of my favorite ways to cook veggies! Here are some of my favorite air fryer recipes for side dishes:
Recommended Tools
- Air Fryer – This air fryer has everything you need: One-touch programming, fast preheating, easy cleanup, and even airflow for perfectly crisp and delicious results.
Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli (Fast & Easy!)
Make perfect air fryer frozen broccoli (tender with crispy edges), using just oil, salt, and pepper. Quick and easy for busy weeknights!
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Ingredients
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Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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In a large mixing bowl, toss the frozen broccoli with olive oil, until coated well. Season with salt and pepper.
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Arrange the frozen broccoli in the air fryer basket, in a single layer. Air fry for 10-12 minutes at 400 degrees F (204 degrees C), shaking the basket halfway through.
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Adjust salt and pepper to taste if needed.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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5 Comments
Greta
0This was a delicious adding for the launch and super simple to make. I loved how crunchy these broccoli came out.
JD Alewine
0I love how easy this recipe is. Now I can eat broccoli even more!!!!!
Addison
0Such a quick and easy way to eat veggies! Great as a side dish for dinner.
Lisa
0I love broccoli and always looking for new ways to cook it. The air fryer gave it such a crispy texture which was perfect for snacking.
Gina
0One of my favorite easy ways to get a vegetable on the table for dinner!