Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower
Air fryer broccoli and cauliflower is quick, easy and ready in just 10 minutes. Use fresh or frozen broccoli and cauliflower to make this healthy side dish anytime! This air fried broccoli and cauliflower is the perfect side dish or great for snacking.
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Why you will love this recipe
- Easy to make – making air fryer broccoli and cauliflower is so simple. It only takes about 1 minute of prep and cooks in 10 minutes. No need to turn on the oven, the air fryer does all the work.
- Ready in 10 minutes – making broccoli and cauliflower in the air fryer is perfect for those quick weeknight meals or when you want a vegetable with your breakfast or lunch! It’s also a great snack when paired with a healthy dipping sauce (like this lime tahini sauce).
- Simple ingredients – air fryer cauliflower and broccoli is made with ingredients you likely already have on hand. This recipe is naturally vegan, paleo, Whole30, low carb, gluten free and dairy free.
- Versatile – you can use this air fried broccoli and cauliflower recipe as a healthy snack or side dish. You can also change the flavors by using different spices or a sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
- Cauliflower and broccoli – use cauliflower and broccoli florets. You can buy these together in a bag or cut them from the stalk before cooking in the air fryer. You will need a small head of broccoli and half a small head of cauliflower.
- Olive oil – olive oil coats the broccoli and cauliflower and helps the spices stick to the vegetables.
- Spices: Salt, garlic powder, za’atar (or italian seasoning) – Za’atar seasoning is a middle eastern seasoning that is slightly smoky and savory and pairs perfectly with vegetables. If you don’t have za’atar seasoning, you can use italian seasoning. The garlic powder adds a garlic flavor. Fresh garlic can burn in the air fryer at this temperature.
How to make air fryer broccoli and cauliflower
Start by cutting the cauliflower florets into small bite size pieces. The broccoli should also be cut into bite size pieces. Tip: broccoli cooks faster than cauliflower, so cut the cauliflower down into smaller pieces than the broccoli.
Add the cut cauliflower and broccoli to a bowl. Top with olive oil and spices. Stir well.
Add broccoli and cauliflower to the air fryer.
Cook at 360F for 10 minutes. After 7 minutes, pause the air fryer and shake the basket. Finish cooking for the remaining 3 minutes.
Top tips
- Be sure to cut the cauliflower florets down so they cook quickly. They can be smaller than the broccoli florets. You can leave the broccoli florets bigger but still want to cut down large bunches.
- Coat the broccoli and cauliflower in some oil (olive oil, avocado oil) to help ensure that the spices stick and that they get the right texture in the air fryer (broccoli slightly crispy, cauliflower starting to roast and caramelized).
- Use whatever spices you love and have on hand. Change the flavor profile of this dish by changing out the spices you use. See a list of ideas below.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. I would recommend cooking just 1 bag (about 10-16 oz bag) at once. If you are going to double the recipe, cook the broccoli and cauliflower in the air fryer in batches or cook it in the oven instead.
- Every air fryer is different. Depending on the wattage, how large the basket is and the kind of air fryer you have, the cooking time may vary.
Other spices to add
- Italian – use about 1 teaspoon italian seasoning instead of za’atar
- Moroccan – omit the za’atar seasoning and use 1 tsp. turmeric, 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika and 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- Herbs de provence – use about 1 teaspoon herbs de provence instead of za’atar
- Cajun – omit the za’atar seasoning and use 1.5 tsp. cajun seasoning
- Sundried tomatoes – omit the za’atar seasoning and use italian seasoning instead. add about 2 tablespoons chopped sundried tomatoes after cooking
- Pesto – omit the za’atar seasoning and use italian seasoning instead. add about 2 tablespoons pesto
- Spicy – add 1/4-1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- Smoky – add 1/2 tsp smoked paprika or cumin
Ways to serve
- As a side dish for any meal. Would work great along side buffalo chicken and mashed potatoes, ranch meatloaf and jasmine rice or vegan lentil loaf and quinoa for a vegan friendly meal.
- Enjoy as a snack with a dipping sauce: Some of my favorites include lemon herb tahini dip, butter bean hummus, chipotle mayo, dairy free ranch or garlic chili oil.
- Put in an omelet or frittata
- Use on a salad
- Make cheesy cauliflower and broccoli by pouring vegan nacho cheese sauce over top!
- Add to pasta – this would be wonderful with lemon tahini pasta or pasta with white bean pasta sauce.
Common questions
Can you use frozen broccoli and cauliflower
Yes! You can use frozen broccoli and cauliflower instead of fresh.
- You will still want to cut down any large florets of broccoli or cauliflower.
- Instead of adding the broccoli and cauliflower to a bowl to coat with oil and spices, spray it with avocado oil or olive oil and sprinkle the spices over top.
- Cook the broccoli and cauliflower in air fryer set to 390F for 16-18 minutes (watch to ensure the broccoli doesn’t start to burn). After 10 minutes, pause the air fryer and shake the air fryer basket. Continue to cook at least 6 more minutes.
How to make broccoli and cauliflower in the oven
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Follow the directions on how to cut the broccoli and cauliflower and add the olive oil and spices.
- Add the broccoli and cauliflower to a baking sheet (lined with parchment paper for easy clean up).
- Cook in a 400F oven for 20-25 minutes. Take out of the oven around 15 minutes and stir the broccoli and cauliflower around.
Can you make air fried broccoli and cauliflower in advance?
Yes, you can make air fryer broccoli and cauliflower in advance. Reheat in the air fryer (350F for 4-5 minutes) or in the microwave (about 1 minute). You can also use leftovers cold in a salad or add to a frittata or omelet.
What to do with leftover broccoli stems
Did you know that the broccoli stem is edible as well? Don’t throw it away. Trim off any brown, woody parts then cut it down into 1 inch pieces and toss it in the food processor.
You can make broccoli rice (like cauliflower rice but with broccoli) and use anywhere you would normally use cauliflower rice. My favorite thing to make is riced broccoli salad.
Storing leftovers
- Fridge: Store leftover air fryer broccoli and cauliflower in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Although the leftovers can be frozen, the texture will change when defrosted, so I don’t recommend freezing unless you want to use the leftovers in a soup or frittata.
Substitutions
- Broccoli and cauliflower – you can use all broccoli or all cauliflower if needed.
- Olive oil – use any cooking oil you have on hand. Avocado oil, melted coconut oil, melted ghee or butter would also work well.
- Spices – Use whatever spices you have on hand (see ideas above).
If you love this recipe, you should try
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Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower
Air fryer broccoli and cauliflower is quick, easy and ready in just 10 minutes. This healthy air fried broccoli and cauliflower is a great side dish or perfect for snacking. This recipe is vegan, low carb, Whole30 and gluten free.
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Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 12 oz broccoli and cauliflower florets
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp za'atar seasoning
Instructions
- Cut the broccoli florets and cauliflower down into bite size pieces. Tip: Cut the cauliflower smaller than broccoli as the broccoli cooks faster.
- Add the broccoli and cauliflower florets to a bowl. Add olive oil and spices. Stir well.
- Add broccoli and cauliflower to air fryer basket.
- Turn to 360F for 10 minutes. After 7 minutes, pause the air fryer and shake the basket. Finish cooking then serve hot.
Equipment
Notes
Top tips
- Be sure to cut the cauliflower florets down so they cook quickly. They can be smaller than the broccoli florets. You can leave the broccoli florets bigger but still want to cut down large bunches.
- Coat the broccoli and cauliflower in some oil (olive oil, avocado oil) to help ensure that the spices stick and that they get the right texture in the air fryer (broccoli slightly crispy, cauliflower starting to roast and caramelized).
- Use whatever spices you love and have on hand. Change the flavor profile of this dish by changing out the spices you use. See a list of ideas below.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. I would recommend cooking just 1 bag (about 10-16 oz bag) at once. If you are going to double the recipe, cook the broccoli and cauliflower in the air fryer in batches or cook it in the oven instead.
- Every air fryer is different. Depending on the wattage, how large the basket is and the kind of air fryer you have, the cooking time may vary.
- Italian – use about 1 teaspoon italian seasoning instead of za’atar
- Moroccan – omit the za’atar seasoning and use 1 tsp. turmeric, 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika and 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- Herbs de provence – use about 1 teaspoon herbs de provence instead of za’atar
- Cajun – omit the za’atar seasoning and use 1.5 tsp. cajun seasoning
- Sundried tomatoes – omit the za’atar seasoning and use italian seasoning instead. add about 2 tablespoons chopped sundried tomatoes after cooking
- Pesto – omit the za’atar seasoning and use italian seasoning instead. add about 2 tablespoons pesto
- Spicy – add 1/4-1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- Smoky – add 1/2 tsp smoked paprika or cumin
- Fridge: Store leftover air fryer broccoli and cauliflower in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Although the leftovers can be frozen, the texture will change when defrosted, so I don’t recommend freezing unless you want to use the leftovers in a soup or frittata.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Amount per Serving
Calories
124
Fat
8
g
Carbohydrates
12
g
Fiber
5
g
Sugar
3
g
Protein
5
g
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database.
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