Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli

Air fry frozen broccoli is the perfect weeknight side dish or even midday snack! The frozen broccoli gets perfectly cooked, tender and crispy in just 16 minutes using the air fryer! Never eat mushy broccoli again!

The air fryer is my go-to way to get dinner on the table quicky. If you love the air fryer too, be sure to check out all of my air fryer recipes including how to cook frozen asparagus in the air fryer and air fryer frozen green beans.

Frozen broccoli in air fryer after cooking.

If you’re looking for quick and easy recipes that come together in 30 minutes or less, I’m your girl! I worked one on one with busy women while I was a personal trainer and nutrition coach, so I understand how challenging it can be to get a satisfying meal on the table with a packed schedule. That’s why I created Bites of Wellness—to take the stress out of answering “What’s for dinner?”

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Why this recipe rocks

  • Minimal prep
  • Simple ingredients
  • Budget friendly
  • Customizable
  • Healthy this recipe is vegan, gluten free, dairy free, paleo Whole30 and low carb
Ingredients for air fryer frozen broccoli on a white table.

Ingredients

  • Frozen broccoli – Frozen broccoli comes cut, cleaned, blanched and ready to use.
  • Salt – salt helps to elevate the flavor and makes sure you don’t have bland broccoli
  • Avocado oil or olive oil spray – this helps to make the broccoli a bit crispier and helps the salt stick to the broccoli.

How to cook frozen broccoli in air fryer

Add frozen broccoli to the air fryer, trying to make as much of a single layer as possible.

Frozen broccoli in the air fryer before cooking.

Spray the broccoli with avocado oil or olive oil spray. Sprinkle with salt. Cook at 390F for 16 minutes total.

After 10 minutes of cooking, pause the air fryer and use tongs to flip the broccoli so that it doesn’t burn at the top.

Frozen broccoli after 10 minutes of cooking in air fryer.

Cook 6 more minutes, shaking the basket with 2 minutes to go.

Frozen broccoli after 16 minutes of cooking in air fryer.

Top tips

  • No need to defrost – When the frozen broccoli cooks, it releases water which actually creates a bit of steam, helping to tenderize the broccoli without burning it.
  • Cook in one layer, or as close as you can get to one layer.
    • If you do have to stack the broccoli, be sure to shake the basket often, especially towards the end of the cooking time.
Air fryer frozen broccoli with tahini and red pepper flakes drizzled over top.

What to serve with air fried frozen broccoli

  • Serve with a creamy sauce- my two favorites are spicy tahini sauce and lemon tahini sauce.
  • Serve as a side dish with pretty much any meal
  • Chop up and serve in an omelette or in your eggs
  • Add to your favorite pasta recipe for some added veggies

Common questions

How to make the broccoli extra crispy

When roasted at high heat, broccoli gets super crispy with dark edges and a distinct crunch. You can get the same result in the air fryer. Simply add 1-3 minutes of cooking time to the broccoli (take out smaller pieces that already have dark edges). The total cook time will be between 17-19 minutes to get super crispy broccoli.

Can you make this in advance?

Yes! Cook the broccoli 1-2 minutes less than the recipe indicates. Let the broccoli cool and store in the fridge. When you are ready to eat the broccoli add it back to the air fryer and cook at 390F for 3-4 minutes.

Broccoli in the air fryer after being cooked from frozen.

What if you don’t have an air fryer?

If you don’t have an air fryer you can try my favorite method to cook fresh broccoli on the stove top. Or you could roast the frozen broccoli in a 425F oven for 20-25 minutes, stirring after 15 minutes of baking.

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Broccoli in a white bowl with chili flakes and tahini drizzled.

Frozen Broccoli in Air Fryer

$2.42 Recipe/$0.60 Serving
Air fryer frozen broccoli is the perfect simple side dish, great for weeknight meals or snacking! Slightly crispy broccoli cooked in the air fryer from frozen – no more mushy broccoli for dinner! Naturally low carb, vegan, gluten free, Whole30 and paleo friendly.
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer frozen broccoli, frozen broccoli air fryer
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 pound frozen broccoli florets - $2.29
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt - $0.03
  • avocado oil spray or olive oil spray - $0.10

Instructions

  • Dump the frozen broccoli in the basket of the air fryer. Try to make a single layer if possible.
  • Spray the broccoli with the avocado oil or olive oil spray and sprinkle with salt.
  • Set the air fryer to 390F for 16 minutes.
  • After the broccoli has cooked for 10 minutes (6 minutes remaining on the air fryer cook time), pause the air fryer and remove the basket.
  • Carefully flip the broccoli over with tongs or a spatula so that it doesn't burn on one side.
  • Place the basket back in the air fryer and resume cooking time.
  • With about 2 minutes left cooking (cooking for 14 minutes total), shake the basket. You may want to check to see if there are small pieces that need to be removed.

Equipment

Notes

Tips: 
  • Cook in one layer, or as close as you can get to one layer. If you do have to stack the broccoli, be sure to shake the basket often, especially towards the end of the cooking time.
  • Keep an eye on your broccoli during the last 2-3 minutes. There are many different sizes of broccoli florets in the bag. Some of the smaller pieces can start to get crispy and brown before the larger pieces are fully cooked. Remove the smaller pieces when you notice they are browning on all edges or take out large pieces and cut them in half at the half way point of cooking.
  • Make crispy roasted broccoli from frozen: If you want really crispy ends of the broccoli, cook for up to 3 more minutes (19 minutes total) for crispy crunchy edges.
Seasonings to add
  • Add ½ tbsp. taco seasoning when you add the salt
  • Add 1-2 tsp. herbs de provence
  • Add 1-2 tsp. Italian seasoning and ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • Add 1 tsp. turmeric + 1 tsp. smoked paprika + ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • Add ½ tbsp. cajun seasoning
  • Add ½ tsp. garlic powder and after cooking, add 2 tbsp. chopped sundried tomatoes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Amount per Serving
Calories
39
Fat
 
1
g
Carbohydrates
 
8
g
Fiber
 
3
g
Sugar
 
2
g
Protein
 
3
g
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database.
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