Serve this air fryer broccoli as a side dish, or add it to your next grain bowl. It has perfect crispy edges and a savory garlic flavor. You're going to love it!
Every time I make this air fryer broccoli, I wish I’d doubled the recipe. It’s so simple, but something about the combination of the broccoli’s crisp edges and savory, salty seasoning makes it completely addictive. Even if I intend to serve it as a side dish or add it to a grain bowl, I find myself eating it straight out of the air fryer basket. It’s that good!
Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe Ingredients
To make this recipe, you’ll need these simple ingredients:
- Broccoli, of course! You’ll just need the florets for this recipe. If your broccoli has a long stalk attached, save it for another use, like making broccoli rice.
- Extra-virgin olive oil – It helps the broccoli become tender as it cooks. Don’t skimp on it – without enough oil, the broccoli will burn instead of browning.
- And tamari and garlic powder – The secret ingredients! They fill the broccoli florets with savory, umami flavor.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Toss the broccoli with the oil, tamari, and garlic powder, and arrange it in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Transfer to the air fryer, and cook at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender and crisp around the edges. I like to flip my florets halfway through the cook time so that they brown evenly on all sides. That’s it!
Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe Tips
- Bigger is better. The first time I cooked broccoli in the air fryer, I didn’t think much about the size of the florets. Some were bigger; some were smaller. But when I tried it, I realized that the bigger florets had come out better. The small florets had browned on top before the stalk became fully tender. By the time it was tender, the tips of the florets had burned. So keep your florets on the large side! Bigger florets need more time to crisp up on top, so they cook more evenly in the air fryer.
- Coat it well. In order for the broccoli to come out with tender stalks and crispy tops, it needs to be well-coated in the oil and tamari. Use your hands to work them into the tops of the broccoli florets – you don’t want any part of the broccoli to remain dry!
- You might need to work in batches. If your air fryer basket is too crowded, the broccoli florets will steam and soften instead of crisping up as they cook. Ideally, they’ll fit in a single layer with a little space around each one. If they don’t, go ahead and work in batches. The crispier results will be worth the extra time!
Serving Suggestions
The simplest way to serve this air fryer broccoli (aside from straight from the basket…) is as a side dish. Garnish it with red pepper flakes for heat, or top it off with toasted sesame seeds for crunch. It’s also fantastic with drizzles of a punchy sauce on top. I love it with my gochujang sauce, peanut sauce, or sesame ginger dressing.
The air fried broccoli would pair nicely with all kinds of main dishes, but I especially love it with this Crispy Sesame Tofu. Complete the meal with some cilantro lime rice!
If I’m not serving this air fryer broccoli as a side, I typically add it to a grain bowl or noodle bowl. Try tossing it into these Cashew Broccoli Soba Noodles, these Sesame Soba Noodles, or this Veggie Power Bowl. Or make your own bowl! Start with a base of quinoa or brown or white rice. Then, add the broccoli and a protein like air fryer tofu or baked tempeh. Round it out with one of the sauces mentioned above!
Enjoy!
More Favorite Air Fryer Recipes
If you love this air fryer broccoli recipe, try one of these easy air fryer recipes next:
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Zucchini Chips
- Air Fryer Eggplant
- Avocado Fries
- Onion Rings
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Air Fryer Tofu
Air Fryer Broccoli
Equipment
Ingredients
- Large florets from 2 broccoli crowns
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon tamari
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Red pepper flakes, optional for topping
- Sesame seeds, optional for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, toss the broccoli with the olive oil, tamari, and garlic powder. Use your hands to coat the tops of the florets well, or they’ll burn before the stems are tender.
- Place the broccoli in the air fryer basket in a single layer with a little space between each floret. Work in batches if necessary.
- Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and golden brown. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes or sesame seeds, if desired, and serve hot.
Tried this with a bag of mixed broccoli and cauliflower florets and…YUM! Thank you!
Hi Kate, so glad you loved it!
Absolutely delicious and so easy!
3 minutes before the end I added a sprinkle of soy sauce. Delicious!
Make this recipe all the time for one of the ingredients of my broccoli salad
Hi Michelle, I’m so glad you love the broccoli!
Am i able to put shredded cheese on the broccoli when i stir half way through ,or wait until fully cook
Hi Margaret, I’m not sure, I haven’t tried it with cheese. Probably after you stir halfway.
Loved it. Used 25%less sodium tamari. I used to do this on my grill. Loved it in the Air Fryer. So easy. Next time I will go with bigger pieces and use a bit mire oil “mist” on the tops of the florets. So good!
I’m so glad you enjoyed!
I used soy sauce because that’s what I have, the broccoli is soooo good! I agree, the bigger pieces the better. Delicious!
I’m so glad you loved it!
Made this last night, and this is my new favorite broccoli recipe. I like how it is crispy on the outside, tender in the middle. I was out of tamari, so I used coconut aminos instead. It was delicious! Thank you
Hi Annette, I’m so glad your broccoli turned out well!
Can you use frozen broccoli ?
I haven’t tried with frozen – I would let it thaw and be sure to pat the water out first.
Hi! Is this Tamari paste or the liquid for the recipe?
Tamari, the liquid, or you could use soy sauce.