Ever have a craving for broccoli but don't want to go through the hassle of making it? Well, you're in luck! Frozen broccoli in air fryer is one of the most convenient vegetables to make. You'll be surprised at how easy and quick it is! The air fryer browns the outside and heats the inside without burning the broccoli to a crisp! This broccoli is perfect as a side dish for any meal, and leftovers are great for lunch or meal prep throughout the week. All you need are some simple ingredients and your favorite seasoning. Let's get started!
It's not always possible to make the perfect meal when you want it. So, if you need a quick vegetable side dish for your dinner but don't have any fresh broccoli in the house, frozen broccoli can be a lifesaver! It may sound like an odd choice at first, but once you taste how delicious air fryer broccoli is from frozen broccoli, we bet you will never go back to cooking fresh again!
Our air fryer works fantastic cooking almost anything. So we thought, why not cook frozen broccoli? It came out perfect! The air fryer browns the outside and heats the inside without burning the broccoli to a crisp.
I love the convenience of being able to have broccoli any time I want. With our trips to the grocery store reduced to every couple of weeks, I find it essential to have some frozen vegetables on hand.
This is one of my favorite ways to cook frozen broccoli as it is perfectly cooked, not undercooked or mushy in the slightest, and always perfectly crispy with a nice crunch.
Every time you cook your vegetables this way, they will come out just right without any fuss. This is an easy method that I would recommend if you're looking for simpler cooking methods!
This is the perfect way to cook broccoli if you want to use it in Easy Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells - With Spinach.
I love serving broccoli with Teriyaki Salmon, Tilapia in Air Fryer, and Maple Glazed Salmon. Just add a side of Instant Pot Jasmine Rice, and you are all set!
⭐ MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES
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💗 Why you will love frozen broccoli in air fryer
Frozen broccoli in the air fryer can be an absolute lifesaver for when you're short on time (or feeling lazy) because there's no chopping required! In all honesty, frozen vegetables get the job done every single time without disappointment - but air frying them is what seals the deal!
- EXCELLENT RESULTS: You can get better results with less time and effort. Frozen broccoli already come pre-cut and blanched so all that's left to do is cook them in your air fryer for a few minutes on each side until they're crispy tender.
- NO PREP: Frozen broccoli is more convenient than fresh. No washing or chopping is required!
- SAVE MONEY: You'll save money by buying frozen broccoli. This is because packages of frozen broccoli are usually cheaper than buying fresh broccoli. Plus, you don't have to worry about the broccoli spoiling before you have used it up!
- SEASON TO TASTE: To give broccoli the best flavor, use your favorite seasoning blend! No matter what seasonings you choose to shake on your broccoli, you’re sure to love the results.
- EASY CLEAN-UP: One of the main benefits of using an air fryer to prepare your frozen broccoli is that you won't have to worry about cleaning up any mess afterward. Cleanup is a breeze!
- COOK LARGE BATCHES: Another great benefit is that you can cook large batches of frozen broccoli in under 20 minutes!
🥦 Ingredients
Air fryer broccoli from frozen is a healthy and yummy veggie and is super simple to prepare.
- Package of frozen broccoli florets (or however much you want!)
- Olive oil
- Sea salt to taste
- Any other seasoning or topping that you like (e.g., sesame seeds).
See the recipe card for quantities.
⏲️ How to make frozen broccoli in the air fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Start by opening the bag of frozen broccoli pieces and dump them in a bowl with some olive oil.
Next, place frozen broccoli into the air fryer basket and place it in the air fryer.
Set the cooking time for 16 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time, at 8 minutes. Check the broccoli periodically to make sure it does not overcook.
The cooking time will depend on how much frozen broccoli you are cooking. For smaller quantities, cook for 16 minutes, shaking the air fryer basket halfway, but cook longer for larger quantities.
Please note that all air fryers do not cook the same, so you may need to adjust the cooking time for your air fryer.
Cook until you see that the broccoli starts to brown a bit on the outside. Make sure to shake the basket to break up large pieces of broccoli as it is cooking.
Once the broccoli is done, let it cool for a few minutes before digging in. Once they're cool, however, nothing is stopping you from enjoying this guilt-free side dish! The crunchy texture makes it addictively good, and it's all thanks to your trusty air fryer. Then, enjoy your crispy broccoli with some sea salt, a dipping sauce of choice, or on its own!
Hint: Shake the broccoli periodically to prevent any burning or overcooking.
🧂 How to serve air fried broccoli
Your broccoli should be perfectly crispy when you pull it out of the air fryer. It shouldn't be mushy or undercooked, but just right with a crunch to it.
Be sure to let the broccoli cool for a few minutes before digging in.
Next, add the finishing touches (the best part)! Try serving your broccoli with:
- Top with sea salt and pepper if you prefer simplicity, or make your own seasoning blend by combining different seasonings to create something new!
- Your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch, honey mustard, or dill dip.
- Top broccoli with shredded cheese and return back to air fryer for 1 more minute, until melted
- Add 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese to broccoli and mix.
- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and ½-1 tablespoon of lemon juice to broccoli and mix
- Sprinkling on some sesame seeds and soy sauce
🍽 Equipment
To make broccoli from frozen, you need an air fryer. This recipe was prepared using the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer. It has an 8 qt capacity with two baskets, making it easy to cook enough food to feed my family or make 2 different foods simultaneously.
I also have an Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer. It was priced reasonably and has a large 6 qt basket, perfect for cooking a lot of food at once.
🌡️ Storage
To store leftover broccoli for up to 3 days, place it in the refrigerator with a lid.
These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing; they would get mushy in the freezer.
💭 Top tips
When cooking frozen broccoli in an air fryer, a few expert tips will help you get the most out of this easy and convenient vegetable.
- For best results, preheat the air fryer to your desired temperature. If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, it takes about 3 minutes for the air fryer to preheat.
- It's important not to overcook the broccoli! It can lead to a mushy texture that doesn't taste very good.
- Shake the basket a few times near the end of the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
📋 FAQs
Yes! It is so easy to do, and you will love the results!
Broccoli turns out great because the air fryer uses convection technology to circulate hot air around the broccoli; this way, the food cooks quickly and evenly and the veggies don't get soggy.
Frozen broccoli cooks much faster than fresh broccoli, so be careful not to overcook it. I cooked frozen broccoli in my Ninja Foodi air fryer, and it was cooked perfectly in 16 minutes, with shaking the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking time.
No. Keep them completely frozen and add them to the air fryer basket.
Frozen broccoli has ice crystals on the outside that will evaporate while cooking in the air fryer. Therefore, it is essential to have enough space around the broccoli for air to circulate and so that the ice crystals will evaporate. If the broccoli is piled on top of each other there will not be enough air movement and the broccoli may turn out mushy.
Yes, very nutritious! Vegetables that are frozen are usually picked at peak freshness and frozen immediately, maintaining their nutritional value. For example, did you know that frozen broccoli has 400% more beta-carotene than fresh broccoli?
🥦 Health benefits of broccoli
Many vegetables tend to be high in carbs, but broccoli has comparatively few carbs and more nutrients than other vegetables. Broccoli contains glucosinolates; which are linked to cancer prevention properties. Broccoli also contains fiber and higher amounts of vitamins A and C. One cup of broccoli has only 30 calories! It's inexpensive, easy to cook, flavorful when eaten raw or cooked, making it a great healthy alternative for snacks and side dishes!
⭐ MORE SIDE DISHES
Frozen broccoli made in the air fryer is a great way to enjoy your favorite vegetable. You can use it in any recipe that requires fresh broccoli, and it's low-calorie and easy to prepare, so if you're looking for a healthy and delicious vegetable dish, then give this one a try!
If you've tried Frozen broccoli in the air fryer or any other recipe, please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. I love hearing from you!
You can also Follow Me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Would you please tag me in your photos @windingcreek_ranch? I would love to see your pictures!
📋 Recipe
Frozen Broccoli in Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 500 g bag of frozen broccoli
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Open the bag of frozen broccoli and dump them in a bowl. Mix with olive oil.
- Place broccoli in the air fryer basket and place them in the air fryer.
- Set the timer for 16 minutes, stirring halfway. Since all air fryers cook differently, start checking the broccoli a few minutes before the timer is up to ensure that it does not burn. Shake the basket every time you check them to ensure they cook evenly.
- When the timer is up and the broccoli is done to the preferred tenderness, remove them from the air fryer and sprinkle with sea salt to taste. Serve as is, or serve with your favorite dipping sauce or seasonings. Enjoy!
Notes
- When cooking frozen broccoli in an air fryer, a few expert tips will help you get the most out of this easy and convenient vegetable.
- For best results, preheat the air fryer to your desired temperature. If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, it takes about 3 minutes for the air fryer to preheat.
- It's important not to overcook the broccoli! It can lead to a mushy texture that doesn't taste very good.
- Shake the basket a few times near the end of the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
Jessica
I love how easy it is to pop stuff in my air fryer - it worked perfectly for frozen broccoli. I wasn't sure what the texture would be like but to my surprise, it turned out great!
Jeri
Broccoli is so easy to make in the air fryer! It's my favorite method!
Liz
i love broccoli and always looking for good ways to cook it! Whenever I bake it it comes out to dry and whenever i microwave it it comes out soggy so excited to try this method
Jeri
I know you will love making it in the air fryer!
Brynn
I love my air fryer but have never tried frozen veggies... This looks like the perfect weekday meal..
Jeri
Thanks, Brynn! Frozen veggies are so easy in the air fryer.
Megan Ellam
This is great thanks Jeri. I really want to use my air fryer so much more.
Jeri
Awesome! I love my air fryer!
Kayla DiMaggio
Yes! I love using my air fryer to help keep things out of the oven! This was so easy!
Jeri
I'm glad you liked the recipe, Kayla! Thanks for commenting!