Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli (Super Easy and Crispy)

Name: Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli (Super Easy and Crispy)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 cups - frozen broccoli florets; 1 tbsp - olive or avocado oil; ½ tsp - garlic powder; ½ tsp - onion powder; 1/2 tsp - Mrs. Dash seasoning; ¼ tsp - sea salt; ⅛ tsp - black pepper

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This air fryer frozen broccoli recipe is a game changer! In just 15 minutes, you can have a side dish that's brimming with deep roasted flavor, beautifully crisp, and seasoned perfectly.

In just 15 minutes, you can have a side dish that's brimming with deep roasted flavor, beautifully crisp, and seasoned perfectly.

You’re seriously going to love this air fryer broccoli recipe! It’s such a simple yet flavorful side that's perfect for any meal. Its combination of savory garlic, onion, and Mrs. Dash seasoning not only tastes great but is also incredibly healthy. And the best part? It's so easy to make!

If you're a fan of this recipe, you'll also love my roasted mixed vegetables, a medley of colorful veggies with a deep, caramelized flavor. And for a hearty side dish, my baked potato wedges are a must-try, they're crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, simply irresistible!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: This recipe is a cinch to prepare. With frozen broccoli and a few pantry staples, you'll have a delicious side ready in no time.
Tasty: The combination of garlic, onion, and Mrs. Dash seasoning gives this broccoli a delicious, savory flavor that's hard to resist.
Classic Flavors: This recipe uses classic pantry staple spices like garlic powder, onion powder, and Mrs. Dash seasoning, resulting in a timeless flavor that everyone loves.
Family Favorite: This broccoli is a hit with both kids and adults alike. It's crispy, flavorful, and makes a perfect side dish for any family meal.
One-Pot Wonder: I love recipes that make clean-up easy, and this is one of them. You can prepare and cook this broccoli all in the air fryer, minimizing the mess.

Its combination of savory garlic, onion, and a hint of turmeric not only tastes great but is also incredibly healthy.

Key Ingredients

All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this air fryer frozen broccoli recipe at home. Let's look at them in more detail:

For a full list of ingredients and quantities, please check the recipe card at the end of this post.

Frozen Broccoli Florets: The star of our recipe, these frozen broccoli florets will turn into crispy, flavorful bites of goodness.
Olive Oil: This will help us achieve a nice, crispy texture on our broccoli, and it also carries the flavors of the spices.
Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: These two ingredients add a punch of savory flavor to the broccoli, making it irresistibly tasty.
Turmeric: Aside from its earthy flavor, turmeric also gives our broccoli a beautiful golden color, making the dish more appealing.

All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this air fryer frozen broccoli recipe at home.

How to Make Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli

Making this incredible air fryer frozen broccoli is easier than you think. Here's how to make them at home step by step:

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. In the meantime, place the frozen broccoli florets in a large bowl.

Add Oil and Spices: Drizzle the olive or avocado oil over the broccoli, then sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, Mrs. Dash seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Combine: Toss everything together until the broccoli is evenly coated with the oil and spices.

Drizzle the olive oil over the broccoli, then add the garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, salt, and pepper.

Arrange and Air Fry: Arrange the seasoned broccoli in the air fryer trays or basket in a single layer, depending on the model you have. Air fry for 5 minutes, then either rotate the trays or shake the basket to guarantee even cooking.

Continue Air Frying: Air fry for an additional 5 minutes or until the broccoli is crispy and golden brown.

Air fry for an additional 8-10 minutes or until the broccoli is crispy and brown.

Serve: Serve the broccoli with lemon wedges to add a touch of freshness alongside seafood dishes. Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and healthy air-fried broccoli!

This broccoli is a hit with both kids and adults alike. It's crispy, flavorful, and makes a perfect side dish for any family meal.

For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.

Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli

Choose Quality Frozen Broccoli: For the best results, choose high-quality frozen broccoli florets. They should be firm and free of freezer burn.
Preheat Your Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. This will make sure that the broccoli starts cooking immediately, resulting in a crispier texture.
Use a Generous Amount of Seasonings: Season your frozen broccoli with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, Kosher salt, and black pepper. The seasonings will enhance the flavor of the broccoli and give it a delicious aroma.
Don't Crowd the Air Fryer Basket: For the broccoli to cook evenly and crisp up nicely, make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. If necessary, cook the broccoli in batches.
Rotate or Shake: After the first 5 minutes of air frying, rotate the trays or shake the basket to guarantee that the broccoli cooks evenly on all sides.
Watch Closely Near the End: Air fry for an additional 5 minutes, or until the broccoli is crispy and brown. Keep an eye on it during this time to prevent it from burning.

Serving Suggestions

Looking for a healthy side dish? Pair this flavorful air fryer frozen broccoli with a juicy, grilled chicken breast. The tenderness of the chicken is the perfect compliment to the crispiness of the broccoli.
For a complete vegetarian meal, serve this air fryer frozen broccoli with a side of quinoa and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. The nutty flavor of the quinoa and the sweetness of the balsamic glaze perfectly balance the savory broccoli.
If you're in the mood for a casual, finger-lickin' good meal, pair this broccoli with your favorite dipping sauce. The crispiness of the air fryer broccoli is a perfect match for the creamy texture of the dip.
For a light and refreshing lunch, serve this air fryer frozen broccoli with a side of mixed greens and a squeeze of fresh lemon. The tangy lemon flavor compliments the seasoned broccoli beautifully.

Recipe Variation Ideas

This delicious air fryer frozen broccoli recipe is absolutely perfect as is, but if you're looking to change things up, here are a few variation ideas you can try:

Spicier: If you enjoy a bit of heat, you can easily make this recipe spicier by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the seasoned broccoli before air frying. This variation is perfect for those who like their veggies with a twist!
Garlicky: For garlic lovers, this variation is a must-try. Simply double the amount of garlic powder in the recipe or add a clove of fresh minced garlic to the seasoned broccoli. The extra garlic will give the air fryer frozen broccoli a rich, aromatic flavor that pairs well with a wide range of main dishes.
Onion Powder: If you're a fan of the sweet and aromatic flavor of onions, you can enhance that flavor by doubling the amount of onion powder in the recipe. The onion powder will give the air fryer frozen broccoli a subtle, sweet undertone that compliments the natural flavor of the broccoli.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to thaw the broccoli before using it in the air fryer?

No, you do not need to thaw the broccoli before using it in the air fryer. In fact, using frozen broccoli guarantees a crispier result, as the ice crystals that form on the broccoli during freezing will evaporate during cooking, resulting in a crispier texture.

Can I use fresh broccoli instead of frozen for this recipe?

Yes, you can use fresh broccoli for this recipe. However, the cooking time and temperature may need to be adjusted. Fresh broccoli may also result in a slightly different texture compared to frozen broccoli.

Why do I need to preheat the air fryer before cooking the broccoli?

Preheating the air fryer ensures that the broccoli starts cooking immediately, which is essential for achieving a crispy and brown texture. Just like preheating an oven, it guarantees that the cooking process is consistent from the start.

What is the purpose of rotating the trays or shaking the basket during air frying?

Rotating the trays or shaking the basket during air frying helps to ensure that the broccoli cooks evenly on all sides. This is important for achieving a uniformly crispy and brown texture.

What are some dishes that this air fryer broccoli would pair well with?

This air fryer broccoli pairs well with a wide range of main dishes, including grilled chicken, steak, fish, or even a hearty vegetarian quinoa bowl. Its versatile flavor and crispy texture make it a perfect complement to many meals.

How to Store Leftovers

Storing: Once the air fryer frozen broccoli has cooled to room temperature, place it in an airtight sealed container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Freezing is not recommended for this recipe, as the texture of the broccoli may become mushy once thawed and reheated.
Thaw: If you have previously frozen the broccoli, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating Instructions: To reheat the air fryer frozen broccoli, simply place it in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat it in the oven at the same temperature.

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