I’ve never been a broccoli fan, but something about air frying it transforms those little green trees into crispy, bite-sized wonders that I can’t resist. It’s like magic—one moment it’s just broccoli, and the next, it’s this crunchy delight that feels like a cheat day indulgence! If broccoli could win an award, this would be its golden moment.
Steps
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F to ensure it is ready for cooking.
- In a large bowl, combine broccoli florets with olive oil, tamari, and garlic powder. Use your hands to thoroughly coat the florets, ensuring the tops are well-covered.
- Arrange the broccoli in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is space between each floret. If needed, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Cook the broccoli in the air fryer for 8 to 10 minutes. Flip the florets halfway through to ensure even browning and cooking.
- Once the broccoli is tender and golden brown, remove it from the air fryer. Optionally, garnish with red pepper flakes or sesame seeds before serving hot.
Ingredients
- Broccoli florets (sufficient quantity for serving four)
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon tamari
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Optional: red pepper flakes, for garnish
- Optional: toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
FAQ
- Can I use the broccoli stalks in this air fryer recipe?
- For this particular recipe, you’ll only need the broccoli florets. However, you can save the stalks for other uses, such as making broccoli rice.
- Why do my broccoli florets burn before the stalks are tender?
- This can happen if the florets are too small. Larger florets cook more evenly in the air fryer, so it’s best to keep them on the larger side. Additionally, ensure that the florets are well-coated with olive oil and tamari to prevent burning.
- What should I do if my air fryer basket is too crowded?
- If the basket is overcrowded, the broccoli will steam rather than crisp up. It’s best to cook in batches, arranging the florets in a single layer with some space around each piece to achieve the desired crispiness.
- How can I serve air fryer broccoli?
- This broccoli makes a great side dish. You can garnish it with red pepper flakes or toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor. It’s also delicious when added to grain bowls, noodle dishes, or paired with sauces like gochujang, peanut, or sesame ginger dressing.
- What are some other good air fryer recipes to try?
- If you enjoy this broccoli recipe, you might also like air fryer cauliflower, zucchini chips, air fryer eggplant, avocado fries, onion rings, or air fryer tofu.
Tips
- Keep Florets Large: To ensure even cooking, cut broccoli into larger florets. Smaller pieces may burn at the tips before the stalks become tender.
- Coat Thoroughly: Use your hands to fully coat the broccoli with olive oil, tamari, and garlic powder. This helps achieve tender stalks and crispy tops.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Place broccoli in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between pieces. If needed, cook in batches to ensure crispiness.
- Flip for Even Cooking: Halfway through cooking, flip the broccoli florets to promote even browning on all sides.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
