Description
Crispy Garlic Air Fryer Broccoli: Crunchy, flavorful, and easy! Perfect blend of garlic, broccoli, and air-fryer magic. A must-try side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large broccoli head (about 1½ pounds or 680g), cut into florets
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the broccoli Wash your broccoli head thoroughly under cold water. Using a sharp knife, cut the broccoli into evenly-sized florets about 1½ inches in size, keeping some stem attached to each piece. Pat the florets completely dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel – this is crucial for achieving maximum crispiness as excess moisture creates steam.
- Step 2: Season the broccoli Place the dried broccoli florets in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and add minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Using your hands, toss thoroughly to ensure each piece is evenly coated with oil and seasonings, taking care to distribute the garlic evenly to prevent burning.
- Step 3: Preheat and arrange Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes. Once heated, arrange the seasoned broccoli in a single layer in your air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Step 4: Air fry to perfection Cook the Crispy Garlic Air Fryer Broccoli for 6 minutes, then shake the basket or flip the florets with tongs. Continue cooking for another 3-5 minutes until the edges are visibly browned and crispy while the stems remain tender. The exact cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the size of your florets.
- Step 5: Finish and serve Transfer the broccoli to a serving bowl and immediately sprinkle with fresh lemon juice and grated Parmesan if using. The residual heat will slightly melt the cheese and the acid from the lemon will brighten the flavors. Toss gently and serve hot for maximum crispiness. Enjoy your perfectly Crispy Garlic Air Fryer Broccoli immediately for the best texture experience.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 4mg