This easy Air Fryer Broccolini is the perfect side dish for just about any meal.If you love broccolini and stir fries, you've got to give this recipe a try. As opposed to regular broccoli or broccoli rabe, we'll be using broccolini, which is essentially called baby broccoli, seasoning it and then cooking it in the Air Fryer.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Quick: My favorite part about this recipe is the fact that it comes together in under 10 minutes.
- Versatile: Broccolini is a versatile vegetable, and its delicate florets are lightly seasoned before air frying them.
- Easy: With barely any cook time and a super customizable recipe, this is easily the best broccolini recipe in my books.
🥘 Ingredients
You'll need just 4 simple ingredients to make this Air Fryer broccolini.
- Broccolini heads: The main ingredient, baby broccoli cooks up tender and flavorful in the air fryer.
- 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
Depending on what you have at hand, you can experiment with lots of different seasonings for the broccolini.
- And if you love Asian flavors, you can also try a Chinese broccoli version by tossing the baby broccoli in some of your favorite Asian spices and then topping them with some toasted sesame seeds.
- I loved adding some minced garlic in addition to the salt and pepper. If you don't find fresh garlic, you can totally use some garlic powder instead.
- I also like to add some fresh lemon zest for that tangy flavor and an added boost of vitamin C.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese can also be a wonderful addition to the air fried broccolini.
🔪How To Make Air Fryer Broccolini
Ready to try this roasted broccolini recipe? Here's the step by step process you'll need to follow.
Step One: 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.
Step Two: In a large bowl, add the broccolini, olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix until everything is evenly coated.
Step Three: 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.
Step Four: Remove from the Air Fryer and squeeze some fresh lemon juice, if preferred.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
Ready to make Air Fryer Broccolini? Here are some tips and tricks to take note of.
- If you have any leftovers, you can refrigerate them in an air tight container.
- Remember to arrange all the broccolini in a single layer in your Air Fryer basket.
- As opposed to regular broccoli, cooking broccolini barely takes a few minutes, and even more so when you're air frying them. Remember to keep an eye on the broccoli and get them out of the basket once they're cooked al dente.
💭 FAQs
Absolutely! While broccolini gives a more delicate, tender texture, regular broccoli works just as well in the air fryer. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly, as broccoli florets tend to be a bit thicker.
Preheating your air fryer isn’t a must, but it helps ensure the broccolini cooks evenly and crisps up nicely. A quick 2-3 minutes of preheating can make a difference in texture.
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.
Allow the cooked broccolini to cool down to room temperature before storing it. Transfer the cooked broccolini to an airtight container. Ensure the container is clean and dry to prevent contamination. Place the airtight container of cooked broccolini in the refrigerator promptly. Cooked broccolini can typically be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Here are some of the best sides to serve with Air Fryer broccolini:
You can serve the crispy broccolini with a squeeze of lemon juice and pair it with Sliced Chicken Breast or beef.
You can also enjoy it as a snack by teaming it up with any of your Dipping Sauces.
Broccolini will go great with our Smoked Texas Turkey Breast recipe!
Broccolini is a great side for main meals such as Cheesy Mexican Steak And Rice, Chicken Tamale Pie or Beef Sabana de Res.
🍽 Related 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.
Nutrition
More Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this easy broccolini recipe, and are inspired to try some more recipes, here are a few good ones.
