Easy Air Fryer Broccoli Salad (Healthy Recipe)

Easy air fryer broccoli salad is your next side dish which can be served hot or cold. This recipe uses fresh broccoli florets, red onion and an extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon and garlic seasoning vinaigrette. The ingredients double up as a vinaigrette!

Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe

If you are big on fresh vegetables and love the air fryer, then this is a great recipe for you. Tender yet crunchy broccoli and minimum cook time.

If you often push this veggie to the side, it's time to awaken the senses in a simple yet striking way. Broccoli is often served as a side dish on its own or with Parmesan cheese but there’s a world of options when serving this simple veggie.

My air fryer broccoli recipe is more Mediterranean because it uses olive oil, garlic and lemon and these ingredients are used more in Mediterranean cuisine. Sometimes I'll add olives, a little feta and chopped cherry tomatoes for a full-on Mediterranean theme!

Recipes are about using what you have so for example, you've got a packet of pasta in your kitchen? Turn it into a broccoli pasta for an Italian dinner.

Or mashed potato, steak/sausage and corn for perhaps an American or British meal and all that's left is gravy😊

For an Asian spin on broccoli make my Veggie Tofu Stir-Fry Recipe. There are endless ideas and I hope that you take some inspiration from my post on what to do next when you find yourself with a beautiful head of broccoli.

For this recipe I used my Vortex Instant Pot Air Fryer - (affiliate link)

Broccoli is also a healthy antioxidant-rich veggie that's low in calories making it perfect not just for a low calorie diet, but anyone wanting something light yet satisfying. I love a small bowl of broccoli for lunch but have to remember that too much does cause discomfort.

Side note: Although high in fiber, broccoli can cause gas and bloating if eaten in large amounts.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Air Fryer Broccoli

1. Convenient - Uses one large bowl to serve and the 'pot' air fryer basket to wash making it easy to prep and cook. Use the same ingredients to season and to make the dressing!
2. Quick - It takes a fraction of the time making the cooking time a bonus compared to other cooking methods. 
3. Versatile - A great way to serve a side dish, add to your meal prep and dress it up or dress it down when serving. 

Ingredients

Here are a few simple ingredients that you will need. 

• Medium head of broccoli (or about 4 cups of broccoli florets)
• Red onion (for salads, milder taste)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
• Red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
• Fresh lemon juice and zest
• Garlic & herb dried spice blend or use your favorite dried herb veggie spice (check the label for salt content and adjust)

How To Make Air Fryer Broccoli

Please find the full and printable recipe in the recipe card below. 

• Prepare the Broccoli: Wash and dry the broccoli thoroughly. Cut the broccoli into florets, making sure the size of the florets is roughly the same. 

• Season the Broccoli: In a large bowl, toss the broccoli florets with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and herb seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Make sure the broccoli is evenly coated and give it a good toss. 

• Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes. This ensures that the broccoli starts cooking immediately when you place it in the basket.

• Air Fry the Broccoli:  Place the seasoned broccoli florets in the air fryer tray or basket in a single layer. It’s okay if some are overlapping, but try not to overcrowd the basket so that the air can circulate properly.
  • Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking. The broccoli should be crispy on the edges and tender on the inside.

• 2-3 minutes before the broccoli is done, add the onions to the broccoli and cook for the remaining 2 minutes. This step is optional - you can serve the onion 100% raw with cooked broccoli.

• Finish: Once the broccoli is done, remove it from the air fryer.

• Serve:  Serve immediately as a side dish or enjoy as a healthy snack. It’s great paired with any protein, or even tossed into salads or bowls. Pour the dressing over the warm or cold broccoli for serving, with fresh lemon (half, wedges or slices) and a little spicy pepper flakes or dried herbs for a final touch!

Lemon, Garlic and Herb Dressing

Find the full ingredient quantities in the recipe card below.

Add lemon (juice and zest), garlic and herb seasoning (or a blend of fresh and tasty dried herbs), extra virgin olive oil salt and pepper into a jar or bowl. Whisk/shake and drizzle over the broccoli or serve on the side.

Recipe Notes

Salad dressing - You are using the same ingredients to season the broccoli so everything should be added lightly. Taste as you go.

Onion - Add it in the last 2-3 minutes or serve it raw. If you are using salad onions these can be served uncooked. If your onion is a little strong, it helps to roast it with the broccoli for a few minutes.

Lemon - I like adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice in with the extra virgin olive oil before cooking. If you are not sure on the taste, mix the lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, dried herb seasoning and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Mix, taste and adjust before adding into the broccoli.

Air fryer time - When it's time to turn the broccoli, my air fryer will tell you 'turn food' - check to see how brown the edges of the broccoli are and then adjust your timer to 2 minutes less if you want it less brown. For more browned edges, leave it the full time. I normally pull mine out on 9 minutes.

3 Variations for Air Fryer Broccoli

1. Cheesy Broccoli:  ¼ cup of grated cheese to the broccoli before cooking and a little sprinkle over after then pop it back in and air fry for 1-2 minutes for the cheese to melt.
2. Spicy Roasted Broccoli: Smoked paprika, a pinch of cayenne pepper or sprinkle red pepper flakes on top after cooking.
3. Crunchy: Sunflower seeds, air fryer pumpkin seeds or nuts. 

Equipment Needed

• Air Fryer: Air fryer that has a basket and can maintain a temperature of 375°F (190°C) This is the one I used Vortex Instant Pot Air Fryer - (affiliate link)
• Large Mixing Bowl: To toss the broccoli with the oil and seasonings.
• Tongs or Spoon: For stirring the broccoli halfway through cooking to ensure even crispiness.
• Measuring Spoons: To measure your seasonings.

How To Serve This Broccoli 

• Serve as a delicious side dish to almost any main dish like grilled chicken, steak, baked fish, or a vegetarian meal like quinoa or lentil stew.
• In a grain bowl with rice or farro, avocado, and a drizzle of tahini or lemon-tahini dressing for a healthy, satisfying meal.
• As a dip with a tangy dipping sauce like ranch dressing, Greek yogurt dip, or spicy sriracha mayo for a fun snack or appetizer.
• Add roasted broccoli to salads with ingredients like cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, nuts (such as almonds or walnuts), and a balsamic glaze.

Storage

• Refrigerating: Allow the broccoli to cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat the broccoli in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350°F (175°C) to restore its crispiness. You can also heat it in a microwave, but it won’t be as crispy.
• Freezing: For long-term storage, you can freeze the roasted broccoli. Lay it flat on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. When reheating, cook directly from frozen in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes.

More Broccoli Recipes

Broccoli Air Fryer Recipe Top Tips!

1. Don't Overcrowd the Basket: The key to getting that crispy texture is ensuring the air can circulate around the broccoli. Avoid piling too much into the air fryer basket at once. If needed, cook in batches for the best result.
2. Cut Broccoli Evenly: Try to cut your broccoli florets to similar sizes so they cook at the same rate. If some pieces are larger than others, they may cook unevenly, with some getting too crispy or not cooked enough.
3. Using Fresh Lemon In Cooking
   • Wash the lemon before cooking
   • Roll the lemon using the palm of your hand to get more juice out of it
   • Microwave the lemon for 10-15 seconds to warm it up for more juices.

More Healthy Side Dishes

FAQs

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

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