Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli

Name: Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
Prep time: 4 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 14 min
Ingredients: ½ pound frozen broccoli (or 3 cups); ½ tsp red chili powder or cayenne pepper; ¼ tsp cumin powder; ¼ tsp black pepper powder (optional); ½ tsp Italian seasoning; salt to taste; 1 tbsp olive oil

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If Broccoli is not what comes to your mind when you think of your favorite snack, I totally understand that but this simple low-carb frozen broccoli recipe cooked in an air fryer basket could change that!

A fork is holding air fried broccoli with vegan ranch. — Air fried broccoli with ranch

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This is perfect as a quick snack or as a side dish for any main course meal. The first time I prepared an air fryer frozen broccoli, it disappeared off the plate in under 5 minutes.

I had no idea crispy air fryer frozen broccoli can be so delightful. Check out the recipe card for more details.

After I prepared them back to back, I even had leftovers that came in handy as a side for lunch. With simple ingredients like garlic or garlic powder, olive oil, and your favorite seasonings, crispy broccoli florets cooked in whirling hot air are just a few minutes away!

The air fryer makes it so easy that there was barely any cutting or prep work required for this healthy side dish.

An air fryer broccoli recipe like this one can be a lifesaver when you are in a hurry and do not have fresh tender broccoli. I always keep a small bag of frozen broccoli handy for emergencies.

Today, I used it to make simple roasted broccoli in the air fryer. Air frying presents a great way to deliver nutritious food at a moment's notice!

My older broccoli recipes such as Broccoli samosa and Broccoli paratha were quite popular among my readers but I also received a lot of comments about how bland broccolis can be.

This air fryer broccoli recipe for a seasoned version will change that…Before you write these florets off your grocery list, know that broccoli is the classic superfood rich in vitamins (vitamin C) and also the greatest cancer preventer.

That’s just another reason why you have to try this easy recipe today. So, let's get started!

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Ingredients note
How to prepare this recipe
Expert tips
Recipe FAQ's
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Ingredients note

Ingredients to make air fryer frozen broccoli.

Frozen broccoli: Frozen broccoli is available in almost any grocery store. Check for the bags with smaller to medium size florets.
Seasoning: I used salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning mix, cayenne, and cumin powder. If there is any other seasoning that you prefer like garlic powder or red pepper flakes, you can substitute any of these or even add them in addition to these seasonings.
Olive oil: Be sure to use extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil for best results.

How to prepare this recipe

Preheat the air fryer to 400 F. for 4 minutes.

A bowl is with frozen broccoli and seasonings.

Next, place the frozen broccoli florets in a large bowl and season with salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, cumin powder, and Italian seasoning.

Frozen broccoli is mixed with seasonings inside the bowl.

Mix them well until the seasoning is distributed evenly.

frozen broccoli with seasoning placed inside the air fryer basket.

Place the seasoned frozen broccoli in the preheated air fryer basket as a single layer and set the temperature to 400 degrees F for 10 minutes or until they are crispy on the edge.

Set up a shake reminder in between or after 5 minutes to make sure the florets are evenly cooked. As the timer expires, check if the florets have a crispy texture.

If not, add a couple more minutes and continue to cook them in the air fryer. Delicious broccoli florets are ready for your table!

Expert tips

You can add your favorite spices to make them healthier. Some good options are black pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, and cumin.
Instead of seasoning with salt and Italian seasoning you can also use soy sauce or teriyaki sauce for a new dimension in taste.
Be sure to preheat the air fryer to 400F to get the best results.
Do not defrost the broccoli - cook it straight from the freezer. The cooking time is timed for cooking frozen broccoli florets.
You can use fresh broccoli instead of frozen, but be sure to adjust the cook time accordingly.
If you like crispy frozen broccoli then cook for a little longer.
To make this recipe even healthier I would suggest using avocado oil to spray on the vegetables. This will give them an even crispier texture.
Shake the broccoli around halfway through so that it cooks evenly.
The cooking time can vary depending on your air fryer capacity. I used 10 minutes on a 6-qt capacity air fryer (Cosori).
Serve the broccoli immediately for best tasting broccoli.

Recipe FAQ's

Can I make this without oil?

Yes, this can be made without any oil. But, I recommend that you use less oil than ‘no’ oil to make it crispy.

What toppings to use with broccoli?

I used vegan ranch dressing. Other options that also go well are tomato ketchup and teriyaki sauce. It is also common to top them with parmesan cheese, but I like sticking to vegan ingredients.

Can I make the frozen roasted broccoli recipe in a microwave?

I don't recommend making it in a microwave because it won't come out crispy.