Air Fryer Broccolini is fast, crispy, and ridiculously easy to make. This tender green side is fresh, flavorful, and ready in just 10 minutes.
If you're craving something light yet satisfying, this is your go-to. Baby broccoli cooks up beautifully in the air fryer—slightly charred on the edges, tender on the inside, and full of flavor. It’s a fab way to sneak in more veggies, just like my Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters or Crispy Air Fryer Carrot Fries. Plus, it pairs with everything from grilled mains to veggie bowls.
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💖 Why This Recipe Works
- Quick & easy: Done in under 10 minutes with hardly any prep.
- Perfectly roasted texture: Crispy florets and tender stems without turning on the oven.
- Healthy and flavorful: Simple ingredients, great nutrition, and big on flavor.
⭐ Star Ingredients
You'll need just 4 simple ingredients to Air Fry broccolini.
- Broccolini: A hybrid of broccoli and Chinese kale, this baby broccoli cooks up sweet and tender with just the right bite. It’s also sneaky healthy—packed with vitamin C, folate, and fiber. Plus, it’s lower in carbs than many sides, making it a nutrient-dense choice whether you're eating clean, low-carb, or just trying to get more greens in your life.
- Olive oil: Helps achieve a slight char and enhances the broccolini's natural flavor.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes add a simple yet effective flavor boost.
- Lemon juice: Adds a fresh, citrusy kick, brightening up the broccolini's earthy taste.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- No lemon? Try balsamic glaze or a splash of soy sauce.
- Feeling fancy? Drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle sesame seeds.
- Love heat? Add red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or a dash of hot sauce.
- Garlic fans: Fresh or garlic powder—either way, it’s tasty.
- Craving cheesy? Parmesan or nutritional yeast = flavor magic.
- Want crunch? Lemon zest or crushed pistachios do the trick.
Still hungry? Try my Roasted Beet Salad with Feta and Walnuts or Cauliflower Rice Sushi next!
🔪How To Make Air Fryer Broccolini
- Step 1: Wash your broccolini and let the water drain. Pat dry using paper towels. Meanwhile, preheat the Air Fryer. Remove the leaves from the stems. Cut off the ends of the stems and the thicker stalks, and keep the thinner stalks intact.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, add the broccolini, olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix until everything is evenly coated.
- Step 3: Add the broccolini to the Air Fryer basket and air fry for 12 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember to flip the broccolini over halfway to ensure that the broccolini cooks evenly. The key is to get the broccolini to be al dente.
- Step 4: Remove from the Air Fryer and squeeze some fresh lemon juice, if preferred.
💡Hint: Don’t overcrowd the basket—air needs to circulate to get that perfect crispy texture.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
Ready to make Air Fryer Broccolini? Here are some tips and tricks to take note of.
- Dry your broccolini well before seasoning to avoid sogginess.
- Every air fryer runs a little differently—thin stalks might be ready in 8 minutes, but thicker ones may need closer to 12. You want those crispy vegetables with tender stems, not limp greens.
- Use leftover broccolini in wraps, veggie bowls, pasta, or scrambled eggs the next day—it’s a healthy side dish that keeps on giving.
💭 FAQs
Yes! Just chop it into smaller florets and increase the cook time slightly. Air Fried Broccolini has a more tender stem, but broccoli works in a pinch.
No, but a quick 2–3 minute preheat can help everything cook evenly and get a nice golden roast.
Yep! No need to thaw—just pop it in frozen and add 1–2 minutes to the cooking time. Wait until halfway through to add oil to avoid sogginess.
For extra crispiness, lightly spray the broccolini with olive oil and make sure it’s spread out in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to allow hot air to circulate evenly.
Yes! You can toss your broccolini in olive oil, salt, pepper, and any seasonings you like (garlic powder, lemon zest, or chili flakes work great). Just make sure the seasoning is evenly distributed for the best flavor.
💖 Serving Suggestions
Looking for the best sides to serve with air fried broccolini? Try these:
- For a keto-friendly meal, pair with Crispy Salmon Bites or Thin Sliced Chicken Breast in Air Fryer.
- For a vegan plate, serve alongside Vegan BBQ Baked Beans or dip into Creamy Herby Ranch Dressing.
- For gluten-free eaters, this is perfect with Beet Sweet Potato Salad or Spinach Rice Casserole with Feta Cheese.
- Broccolini is a great side for main meals such as Cheesy Mexican Steak And Rice, Chicken Tamale Pie or Beef Sabana de Res.
🍽 More Tasty Veggie Recipes
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Air Fryer Broccolini
Ingredients
- 1 pounds Broccolini Heads
- 2 tablespoon Light Olive Oil
- Pinch Salt
- Pinch Black Pepper
- tablespoon Lemon Juice optional
Instructions
- Ready to try this roasted broccolini recipe? Here's the step by step process you'll need to follow.
- Wash your broccolini and let the water drain. Pat dry using paper towels. Meanwhile, preheat the Air Fryer.
- Remove the leaves off the stems. Cut off the end of the stems and the thicker stalks, and keep the thinner stalks intact.
- In a large bowl, add the broccolini, olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix until everything is evenly coated.
- Add to the broccolini to the Air Fryer basket and air fry for 12 minutes on 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember to flip the broccolini over halfway to ensure that the broccolini cook evenly.
- The key is to get the broccolini to be al dente.
- Remove from the Air Fryer and squeeze some fresh lemon juice, if preferred.
Tried this with sesame oil and a sprinkle of chili flakes—so delish! Anyone add cheese or go full garlic mode? I’d love to hear how you serve yours!