Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower is a delicious and healthy side dish your family will love. Simply toss fresh broccoli and cauliflower in heart-healthy olive oil and seasoning, then air fry it to perfection. The result is a tender-crisp vegetable medley that is irresistible! PLUS, this simple side dish can be on your dinner table in less than 10 minutes!
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I'm sure you must know by now how much I love my air fryer. Have you tried Air Fryer Chicken Legs or Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings?
What about Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breasts, or Air Fryer Halibut?
Okay, you get the picture.
Anyway, I just want to share with you that air frying broccoli and cauliflower is pretty much one of the best things ever. These veggies are a popular pair and for good reason.
They are simple, fast, and so tasty - no need for any cheese sauce. This quick side dish comes together in under 10 minutes.
This easy recipe is similar to my air fryer frozen broccoli, but I have added cauliflower and some different seasonings. You have to try it!
If you love roasted cauliflower and roasted broccoli, you will love these healthy vegetables cooked in the air fryer. The crispy broccoli and cauliflower are tender on the inside and full of flavor. Best of all, it is delicious served any time of the year.
I also love cooking these veggies in the warm weather so I don't have to turn on a hot oven; this helps to keep my house cooler.
Pair these flavorful vegetables with Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon or Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken and Instant Pot Rice for a quick meal your whole family will love!
More air fryer side dish recipes
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Why you will love this recipe
- EASY: This air-fried broccoli and cauliflower is so quick and easy to make. No need to preheat the oven or wait for the water to boil - the air fryer does all the work! Plus, it is made with simple ingredients!
- FAST: The cook time on these veggies is less than 10 minutes! This makes them a perfect side dish for a weeknight meal.
- HEALTHY: This dish is cooked in a small amount of oil, making it a healthy option.
- DELICIOUS: This simple side dish is packed with an irresistible flavor. The air fryer creates a crispy and delicious crust on the outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
- KID-FRIENDLY: Even the pickiest eaters will love these crunchy vegetables!
- GOES WITH ANY DIET: These air-fried vegetables are low-carb, gluten-free, and keto.
- VERSATILE: This is the perfect side dish for any meal. It pairs well with grilled chicken, fish, pork, or beef.
- MEAL PREP: These vegetables are great for meal prep, and they reheat beautifully. Make a big batch to enjoy in work or school lunches all week.
- EASY CLEAN UP: When you cook anything in the air fryer, there is always easy cleanup. Just quickly wash or wipe out and dry the air fryer basket.
Ingredients
Just a short list of ingredients is needed to make this delicious side dish, and they can easily be found at any grocery store if you don't already have them on hand.
- Broccoli florets. I used ½ head of fresh broccoli.
- Cauliflower florets. I used ½ head of fresh cauliflower.
- Olive oil. You can also use avocado oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil, or olive oil spray.
- Sea salt.
- Black pepper.
- Lemon pepper seasoning.
- Fresh lemon juice, optional. This lemon juice is optional, but I highly recommend it. The flavors are really elevated to the next level and the result is amazing.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
First of all, cut broccoli and cauliflower into bite-size florets. Place the vegetables into a colander basket and rinse well with water.
Place vegetables into a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Stir well to coat the vegetables evenly in oil.
In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, and lemon pepper seasoning together.
Sprinkle over the broccoli and cauliflower and stir to coat evenly.
Place broccoli and cauliflower in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Air fry for 4 minutes, remove the basket and shake it, and cook for 4 more minutes.
When they’re done, they’ll be crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.
Remove from the air fryer basket and serve immediately with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Enjoy!
Variations
Air frying broccoli and cauliflower is a quick and healthy way to cook these two veggies. There are many different ways to make this dish, some fun ideas to try are:
- Keep it simple, just toss the broccoli and cauliflower florets with some olive oil and sea salt.
- Add a bit of a kick by adding some garlic powder (or chopped fresh garlic), onion powder, and red pepper flakes to the seasoning mixture before air frying.
- For a cheesy version, top with parmesan cheese when done.
- Make it sweet by tossing the florets with some honey before air frying.
- Increase the lemon flavor by adding some lemon zest.
Equipment
To make this easy side dish, you will need an air fryer. I used an Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer with a large basket.
Storage
If you have any leftovers, cool completely and then place them in an airtight container. They will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Simply reheat in the air fryer.
You can also store leftovers in a Ziploc bag in the freezer, where they will keep for up to 2 months. Just make sure to squeeze as much air as possible out first before sealing.
Top tips
- Cut the broccoli and cauliflower into small pieces so that they cook evenly.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Make sure the vegetables are in an even layer on the air fryer tray. This will help the hot air circulate around the florets so they cook evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer for best results.
- Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
- Add a splash of lemon juice to make the flavors pop.
- Air fryer cauliflower and broccoli are best served fresh, so serve immediately.
- If you are making a lot, you may have to cook the veggies in batches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It takes about 8 minutes to cook broccoli and cauliflower in the air fryer.
Broccoli and cauliflower are both low in calories, high in fiber and antioxidants, and contain vitamins B6, C, and K. They are also heart-healthy and can protect against certain types of cancer.
Yes, air fryer broccoli and cauliflower are very healthy. Very little oil is used, much less than if they were oven roasted, and the vegetables come out perfectly crispy.
How to serve air fryer broccoli and cauliflower
- Serve with beef, chicken, seafood, or pork
- Serve mixed together with a bowl of pasta
- Add to an Asian chicken pasta salad
- Eat on its own for a quick meal or tasty snack
These air-fried veggies are seriously so good. There is so much flavor packed into each bite! If you’re looking for an easy (and healthy) side dish to add to your rotation, give this one a try!
If you try it out and like it, I would appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave a star rating and/or comment in the comments section below. 🙂
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You can also Follow Me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Don't forget to tag me in your photos @windingcreek_ranch!
📋 Recipe
Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups broccoli florets
- 2.5 cups cauliflower florets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
- Chop up the broccoli and cauliflower into florets. Add to a mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Stir to coat the veggies.
- Mix salt, pepper, and lemon pepper seasoning together in a small bowl. Sprinkle it over the broccoli and cauliflower and stir to coat evenly.
- Place broccoli and cauliflower in an air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway.
- Remove from the air fryer basket and serve immediately with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Cut the broccoli and cauliflower into small pieces so that they cook evenly.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Make sure the vegetables are in an even layer on the air fryer tray. This will help the hot air circulate around the florets so they cook evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer for best results.
- Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
- Add a splash of lemon juice to make the flavors pop.
- Air fryer cauliflower and broccoli are best served fresh, so serve immediately.
- If you are making a lot, you may have to cook the veggies in batches.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
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