One of the best weeknight dinner hacks is making frozen vegetables in the air fryer! They’re fast, are tender-crisp, and are super versatile when it comes to flavors.
Cooking frozen broccoli in the air fryer results in crispy florets and tender stems. Since they are ready in just around 15 minutes, you save time on busy weeknights, yet still have a nutritious, budget-friendly side dish to serve.
There are so many ways to enjoy this easy side dish and trust me, you’ll want to when you see just how hands-off this recipe truly is! Just one more delicious air fryer veggie!
Simple Ingredients
This is a recipe with few ingredients so that you can easily adjust as needed in terms of flavors.
- Frozen Broccoli: generally, frozen broccoli comes chopped, and there will be smaller stem pieces.
- Olive Oil: only a little olive oil is needed to help the tops crisp up.
- Salt and Pepper: of course, I’m not going to make a veggie without a little S&P! You can also toss them in some garlic or onion powder for extra flavor, too.
Equipment
I have a 4-Quart Ninja Air Fryer which is what I used for this recipe. You of course can use the air fryer you have, taking note of its size.
4-QUART NINJA AIR FRYER
This air fryer is easy to use and is the perfect size for two or a small family.
How to Make Frozen Broccoli in the Air Fryer
Are you ready for how easy this recipe is? I did say it was basically a non-recipe, right? Here goes nothing…
To make things really easy and to have one fewer dish, you can do the mixing all in the basket of the air fryer.
Toss the frozen broccoli sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place them on top of the crisping rack, and try to spread them in an even layer (as much as possible) so the hot air can circulate around them for better cooking and crisping. Because we’re tossing them in olive oil, there’s no need for cooking spray, either.
I really don’t like to wait for my air fryer to preheat…so, this recipe doesn’t require any preheating time! Unless of course your air fryer recommends it regardless of what you’re cooking, be sure to read that manual!
Air fry the frozen broccoli at 375F for about 14 minutes.
Toss the basket halfway through the cooking time, especially if the broccoli is piled high. It’s important to check the doneness, too. Some brands of frozen broccoli florets are different sizes, so it’s important that smaller ones don’t get too crispy and vice-versa.
NOTE: Because air fryers vary in temperatures, wattages, and sizes, you may need to adjust your cook time.
Flavor Variations and Serving Suggestions
Cooking air fryer frozen vegetables is one of the most versatile ways to enjoy veggies. You can mix and match garnishes for a choose-your-own-flavor adventure!
- Toss with fresh lemon juice and/or lemon zest.
- Garnish with almond slices.
- Parmesan cheese is a wonderful salty addition (look for a vegetarian version, if needed).
- Garlic! You know we are garlic fans around here. Toss the stalks in garlic powder before cooking.
- Other seasonings like red pepper flakes, Italian herb seasoning, Herbs de Provence…you name it, you can make it happen!
- Serve it with one of our many favorite homemade sauces.
- Drizzle a balsamic vinegar glaze or maple balsamic dressing
- Tahini and everything but the bagel seasoning (as pictured here)
Don’t stop at broccoli – try frozen broccoli and cauliflower in the air fryer, too!
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!
Get the Recipe The Easiest Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
Ingredients
- 12 ounces frozen broccoli
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Equipment
Instructions
- In the basket of the air fryer (or a separate mixing bowl) toss the frozen broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper. If you want to add spices like garlic or onion powder, do so here, too. Spread in an even layer in the air fryer basket.
- Set the air fryer to 375°F. Cook for 14-16 minutes, tossing halfway through. Depending on the size of the frozen broccoli florets, smaller florets will crisp up more quickly. Time may vary depending on the model of air fryer you use.
- Serve with parmesan and lemon or a drizzle of balsamic vinegar as desired. See the post for more serving suggestions, too!
Notes
- For best results make sure the broccoli is in an even layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air Fryer: this recipe was tested with a 4-quart Ninja air fryer. The exact cook time may vary depending on the model of your air fryer.
- Storage: store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer.
- Use anywhere from 12-20 ounces of broccoli; more broccoli will require a longer cook time.
