Can you put frozen broccoli in an air fryer? Absolutely, yes you can!

In fact it’s a super quick and easy way to cook this popular green vegetable. And it’s a healthy side dish that you can feel good about feeding your family. Air fried frozen broccoli … yes, please!

This is one of my favorite recipes to serve with pork chops, chicken, and even barbecued ribs. It’s also good with most seafood dishes, like these flavorful lemon dill shrimp.

It’s a delicious side dish that goes with almost anything, including these Swedish meatballs. I love how these crispy broccoli florets can turn almost any dinner into a healthy meal.

With its high heat and circulating air, an air fryer can cook frozen broccoli to perfection in just a few minutes. Here’s how to do it right.

Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli

The beauty of using an air fryer to cook broccoli is that it’s quick and super easy to prepare frozen veggies. It tastes a lot like roasted broccoli from the oven. And you don’t have to wait as long for it to cook!

Ingredients

To cook frozen broccoli in an air fryer, you need a few basic ingredients and equipment. Of course, you’ll need an air fryer and something to scoop the broccoli with. 

Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

• Frozen broccoli florets
• Cooking oil or cooking spray
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder (optional)
• Onion powder (optional)

You can use fresh broccoli florets, but keep in mind that it takes longer to cook. It’s so much easier to use frozen broccoli. My oil preference is avocado oil because of its high smoke point. In other words, it doesn’t burn at low temperatures. You don’t need any seasonings besides salt and pepper. However, I like to add a little more flavor to mine.

For exact measurements of each ingredient and full directions, go to the recipe card at the bottom of the page. You can even print out the card by using the “print” button.

How to Air Fry Frozen Broccoli

These step-by-step instructions are super simple. And it only takes a few minutes to prepare this air fryer broccoli recipe.

The first thing you need to do is preheat your air fryer to 400°F. 

Then, place the frozen florets in the basket in a single layer and spray with oil or cooking spray. Using a spoon or tongs, stir the broccoli around to make sure all sides are coated with oil. Sprinkle the salt, pepper, and other seasonings over the broccoli.

Air fry frozen broccoli for 5 or 6 minutes. Shake the air fryer basket and cook an additional 2 or 3 minutes or until the broccoli is tender and lightly browned around the edges.

If you want them extra brown and crispy, return the basket of broccoli to the air fryer and cook for another minute. Do this until you reach the level of crispiness that you prefer.

Please keep in mind that the cooking time may vary, based on how hot your air fryer cooks. For the best results, check on the broccoli periodically. After the first time you cook it, you’ll know what to do in the future.

Season with salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!

How to Add Extra Flavor to Air Fried Frozen Broccoli

While air frying frozen broccoli is a quick and easy way to cook it, you may want to add some extra flavor to make it even more delicious. One way to do this is to sprinkle extra garlic powder or grated Parmesan cheese on top of the broccoli before cooking. 

You can also drizzle some olive oil or melted butter over the broccoli for added richness. Avocado oil is good too, but it doesn’t have as much flavor. Experiment with different seasonings and sauces to find your favorite way to enjoy air fried frozen broccoli. 

Here are some of my favorite seasonings to add to broccoli or any other frozen vegetables:

• Red pepper flakes
• Italian seasoning
• Curry powder
• Steak seasoning

Those are some of my favorite ways to add flavor to air fried broccoli. Don’t be afraid to try something else if you think it sounds good.

After the broccoli is in the serving dish or on the plates, you can even add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Not everyone likes that, so I recommend asking before putting it on the whole batch.

Or you can drizzle your favorite cheese sauce over the cooked broccoli. Again, it’s a good idea to let each person decide whether or not to add cheese.

About Air-Fried Broccoli

Air frying any vegetable adds crispness to the outside while cooking the inside to deliver a crunchy yet tender result. Using your air fryer makes busy weeknights much less stressful because it’s a great way to spend less time in the kitchen and still have delicious results.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

If you’re looking for more easy and delicious air fryer recipes, there are plenty of options to choose from. Most air fried foods are easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.

Here are some air fryer foods that we enjoy:

Pork Tenderloin – It takes less than half an hour to cook a whole pork tenderloin, and it comes out delicious and juicy every time!

Sweet Potato Fries – It’s easy to have sweet potato fries with every meal when you cook them in your air fryer.

Air Fryer Cornbread – This recipe from Back to My Southern Roots delivers a wonderfully crunchy but tender cornbread that your family will ask for often.

Bacon Wrapped Potato Wedges – Whether you’re making these for a meal or as an appetizer, I guarantee these bacon wrapped potato wedges will be a huge hit.

Frozen Tilapia – There’s no need to thaw the fist first. All you have to do is take it from the freezer to the air fryer. Dinner is ready in a flash!

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