Air Fried Broccoli (Fresh or Frozen)
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This air fried broccoli comes out crispy and full of flavor whether you start with fresh florets from the store or a bag straight from the freezer, and it’s ready in fifteen minutes flat. On a busy night, dinner sides don’t get much easier than this one!
The secret to how good this air fryer broccoli tastes is nutritional yeast. It has a cheesy, savory flavor that makes plain broccoli taste like something way more indulgent, without adding any dairy or butter. I started using it years ago when I was looking for ways to get more flavor into simple vegetable sides, and it’s been a staple in my kitchen ever since.
A little goes a long way here. Combined with garlic powder, salt, and a squeeze of fresh lemon at the end, it turns broccoli into a side dish my family actually asks for, not just tolerates.
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Why This Recipe is a Family Favorite
This recipe earns its spot in our weekly rotation because it comes together with just five ingredients and one bowl, so there’s barely any cleanup after dinner. It’s quick enough for a busy weeknight, and simple enough that even my kids can help toss the broccoli in the bowl before it goes in the air fryer.
I love how flexible the recipe is, too. I usually stick to garlic powder and nutritional yeast, but it’s great with Parmesan, red pepper flakes, or whatever seasoning blend I have on hand that night.
Happy Kitchen Secrets
Here are my important mom-tested cooking tips for making this recipe! I’ve made this countless times, so I can save you from a failed attempt.
- Don’t thaw frozen broccoli first. Toss it straight from the freezer into the basket. Thawing releases extra water that the air fryer can’t evaporate fast enough, so you’ll end up with soggy broccoli instead of crispy.
- Cut fresh florets into even sizes. Uneven pieces cook unevenly, so the smaller ones burn before the bigger ones catch up.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. Spread the broccoli in a single layer and shake it halfway through cooking so every side gets crispy. For a bigger batch, cook it in two rounds instead of piling it all in.
- Serve it right away. Air fried broccoli is at its crispiest straight out of the basket, so plate it and eat it right away rather than letting it sit.
If you love how easy this is, you’ll want to try it with other vegetables too. My air fryer carrots, air fryer zucchini, and air fryer potatoes all use the same simple method.
Ingredients
You’ll want to add these ingredients to your grocery shopping list:
For the broccoli, either fresh or frozen works well. If you’re buying fresh, look for tight, dark green florets with no yellowing. For frozen, grab a bag labeled “florets” rather than “cuts,” since cuts tend to have more stem and less of the flowery top.
I use avocado or olive oil here, both of which handle high heat well and help the broccoli brown instead of steam.
The nutritional yeast is the one ingredient you might not already have on hand. Look for it in the health food aisle, near the vegan staples, or sometimes by the spices. It comes in flakes or a finer powder (either works fine) and it’s shelf-stable, so it’s fine to keep in the pantry for a few months after you buy it.
How to Make Air Fried Broccoli
For the full instructions, scroll or jump to the recipe card! ⬇️
Jump to Recipe
- Toss the broccoli with the oil, garlic powder, and salt until it’s evenly coated, then place fresh or frozen broccoli in air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Partway through cooking, shake the basket, sprinkle on the nutritional yeast, and toss again to coat. Once it’s browned and crispy at the edges, plate it up and finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This broccoli makes a great side for almost any protein. It pairs especially well with air fryer shrimp or Blackstone pork chops when you want a full meal on the table fast.
Meal Prep Tip
You can wash and cut fresh broccoli up to a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Hold off on adding the oil and seasoning until right before cooking so it doesn't get soggy.
Air Fried Broccoli FAQs
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, add it back to a preheated air fryer basket and cook for 1-3 minutes, just until it's crisp again.
If you're using fresh broccoli, make sure it's completely dry before tossing it with oil. Any leftover water from washing will create steam in the basket instead of crisping them up.
After you make this recipe, please give it a star rating below and comment to let me know how it went!
Air Fried Broccoli (Fresh or Frozen)
Video
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 3-4 Tablespoon olive oil
- ⅛ teaspoons garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoons salt
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
Instructions
- Pre-heat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Fresh Broccoli: While the air fryer is preheating, cut the broccoli crowns into bite sized pieces.Frozen Broccoli Florets: DO NOT DEFROST. Simply break apart any florets that are stuck together.
- Place the 4 cups broccoli florets in a bowl and mix together the 3-4 Tablespoon olive oil, ⅛ teaspoons garlic powder, and ⅛ teaspoons salt.
- Transfer to the air fryer basket. Close and cook for about 4-5 minutes. Open the basket, sprinkle the broccoli with the ¼ cup nutritional yeast, and use a long wooden or plastic spoon to gently mix and turn the broccoli.
- Close the basket and cook for another 2-3 minutes for fresh broccoli or 3-5 minutes for frozen broccoli, until the broccoli is crispy and caramelizing.
- Transfer the broccoli to a plate. Sprinkle any nutritional yeast that's fallen to the bottom of the air fryer basket on top of the broccoli, then sprinkle lightly with lemon juice. Serve immediately.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
2026 Update: This recipe is still a favorite of ours! It's been updated to simplify the cooking instructions and include extra cooking tips. We hope you love it as much as we do!
