This air fryer frozen broccoli will bring crispness to the next level. Not even the oven can come close to deliciously roasted veggies!
Air frying is the best way to cook frozen broccoli. Sometimes it feels like too much work to wash, dry, and chop a head of broccoli. That’s where frozen veggies come in! All the prep work is already done for you. This way you can pop them straight into the air fryer and let it do its thing while your main dish simmers on the stove or bakes in the oven.
I love throwing frozen vegetables in the air fryer. First of all, it’s easy. Second? Frozen veggies are amazing to have around – no worrying about them languishing in the crisper drawer to never see the light of day.
Frozen veggies are picked and frozen at their peak, meaning they have all the nutrition of fresh. Sometimes the texture can change from fresh to frozen, but air frying really brings them to life with awesome texture.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
Frozen vegetables in the air fryer need nothing but oil and seasoning!
- Frozen Broccoli: All the hard work is done and you can simply enjoy the florets.
- Oil: Reach for olive oil for even browning.
- S&P: A quick shake of salt and pepper gives you the most basic seasoning.
- Season it Up: Try garlic or onion powder here for just a bit of extra zing.
Are frozen vegetables healthy?
Frozen vegetables are not only an affordable way of getting more veggies in your diet, but they’re picked and frozen at peak freshness, meaning they’re just as healthy (if not more) than fresh vegetables!
How to Air Fry Frozen Broccoli
Toss, heat, eat!
Step 1: Stir
Add everything to a large mixing bowl and stir well to combine. Make sure to break apart any florets that are stuck together.
Step 2: Preheat
Let the air fryer preheat so everything is nice and hot. This will ensure a crisp end result.
Step 3: Cook
Air fry until browned to your liking. Give the basket a few shakes throughout the cooking process for even cooking.
Recipe tips
Preheat: I often say preheating isn’t necessary when using an air fryer. However, with frozen veggies, it’s important! If you don’t preheat the machine you will have sad, soggy veggies because they will steam rather than crisp/roast.
Single Layer: For the best, most even cooking, keep the florets arranged in as close to a single layer as possible. This will ensure they brown to perfection.
Freezing Cold: Besides the above tips, don’t thaw before cooking. This will also keep things crispy because it will roast on the outside while the inside “thaws” and be perfect throughout.
Why this Recipe Works
- Air frying your frozen broccoli prevents it from becoming soggy while cooking (because who likes soggy broccoli?)
- Frozen broccoli is often more accessible and affordable. Buy a bunch when it’s on sale and store it in the freezer for a quick side dish.
- Take a trip to flavor town by sprinkling on your favorite seasonings. Try a salt-free lemon pepper blend or nutritional yeast.
FAVORITE AIR FRYER
After trying out a bunch of different air fryers, this is my favorite!
FAQs
How do I air fryer fresh broccoli?
You can air fry any veggie you like! This is a great way to cook old favorites or try something new.
Why do I still need oil?
While the air fryer does a great job circulating hot air for great texture, using a bit of oil will achieve maximum crispness. You can omit if you want, but it might not be quite so brown.
Plays well with…
Broccoli is a well loved veggie even with kiddos! Pair it up with a delectable main dish.
- Truffle Mac and Cheese is begging for some crispy broccoli on the side. I love to even out a heavy meal with a great veggie.
- Naan Pizza is quick and easy and lets everyone customize their toppings, and is great served with piping hot broccoli.
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @liveeatlearn on Facebook or Instagram!
Ingredients
- 16 oz frozen broccoli about 5 cups, 453 g
- 2 Tbsp oil 30 mL
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- Optional: 1 tsp garlic powder and/or 1 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Stir: In a large bowl toss together all ingredients to evenly coat the broccoli.
- Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 5 minutes.*
- Cook: Transfer broccoli to the air fryer in as single of a layer as possible. Cook, shaking the pan once during cooking, until slightly crispy and browned, about 10 to 13 minutes.
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