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If you’re looking for a quick, low-calorie way to cook broccoli, you might be wondering: Can you cook broccoli in an air fryer? The answer is yes. It’s easy, delicious, and a fraction of the calories of other methods. Air fryers are a great way to make food healthy and delicious.
Unlike deep-frying or baking, this method of cooking uses very little oil. Instead, the food is cooked in hot air that circulates around the food which makes it crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Air frying broccoli is quick and easy, it’s also a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. They’ll love the crunchy texture, and you can feel good knowing they’re getting plenty of vitamins and minerals in their diet.
It’s true! Broccoli is high in fibre, packed with vitamins, and low carb – but I know you know all that. The real game-changer here is the way air frying makes it taste. We’re talking’ outrageously addictive!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Broccoli
- Olive oil
- Salt & pepper, garlic (for extra taste)
You may be thinking, “Why do I need to use olive oil, isn’t air frying a healthy cooking method?” While you can make air fryer broccoli with no oil, the broccoli doesn’t caramelize quite as nicely, nor does it taste as satisfying. Fortunately, you only need a small amount of olive oil to ensure the broccoli cooks evenly in an air fryer.
How To Cook Broccoli in an Air Fryer?
- Chop up your broccoli florets, and season them with salt, pepper, and any other spices you have hanging around – garlic powder is great. Keep in mind that you’ll probably want to use a little less salt than you normally would when boiling because the flavour concentrates more in the air fryer than it does with normal cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390˚F with a little oil. You should also add a splash of water to the bottom of the basket before adding the broccoli – it should just be enough to fill the bottom without drowning the florets.
- Air fry for 4 minutes, then toss the florets around a bit with a spoon or tongs. Allow them to cook for another 4-8 minutes – you want them to be browned and crisp-tender when you take them out of the air fryer, so keep checking every few minutes until they’re done.
- Once they’re finished, you can serve ’em up on with many different toppings, or even just eat them alone. They’re delicious either way!
And that’s it! You now have perfectly air-fried broccoli to enjoy.
Toppings
Air fried broccoli goes great with a number of toppings to add flavour:
- Lemon Juice
- Garlic
- Salt & Pepper
- Parmesan Cheese
- Chilli Flakes
All of these are delicious options!
If you’re looking for something new to try, try drizzling your broccoli with balsamic vinegar after cooking it. The acidity will help break down some of those fibres while adding sweetness without adding any sugar content whatsoever.
Tips to Store
- To Store – Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- To Reheat – Reheat broccoli in an air fryer, not only will it maintain its texture, but it will also bring back that delicious flavour.
- To freeze – Allow the broccoli to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. before preparing.
Conclusion
Air fryers are an amazing appliance that can help you take your cooking to the next level – and it’s especially true when it comes to vegetables like broccoli. Air fryers let you cook veggies at a high temperature without sacrificing flavour and nutrients, which is a win-win for everyone.
If you have kids, chances are they’ll eat broccoli if it’s cooked in an air fryer because kids love the texture that air frying gives to food.
And of course, there’s always the option of dipping your air-fried broccoli in melted cheese! This is another way to get picky younger eaters on board with eating more veggies.
Also See… Can You Cook Carrots in an Air Fryer?