Roasting broccoli in the air fryer gives crispy, charred florets in a fraction of the oven time, and a shower of parmesan crisps into a golden, savoury crust. It converts even the broccoli-averse.
Everything you need
- 500 g broccoli, cut into florets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup (50 g) parmesan, grated
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp fine salt
- ½ lemon, to finish
Single layer, always. Crowding the basket steams food instead of crisping it. Tap any ingredient to open its converter.
Method
0 of 5 done-
Toss the florets with the oil, garlic powder and salt until glossy.
For this step
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp fine salt
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Preheat the air fryer to 190°C / 375°F. Add the broccoli in a single layer, cut side down where you can.
For this step
- 500 g broccoli
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Air fry for 8 minutes, shaking once.
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Scatter over the parmesan and air fry for another 3 to 5 minutes, until the broccoli is charred and the cheese is crisp.
For this step
- 500 g broccoli
- ½ cup (50 g) parmesan
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Squeeze over the lemon and serve straight away.
For this step
- ½ lemon
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Air fryer notes
- Cook at 190°C / 375°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
Cook's tips
- Don't wash and leave the broccoli wet. Dry florets char instead of steaming.
- Add the parmesan for only the last few minutes so it crisps without burning.
Make it your own
- Add a pinch of chilli flakes with the salt.
- Works the same way with cauliflower or romanesco.
Storing & reheating
Best fresh. Reheat leftovers at 180°C for a few minutes. Good chopped into pasta or grain bowls.
Frequently asked
Fresh or frozen broccoli?
Fresh chars best. Frozen releases a lot of water and turns soft, so if you must use it, thaw and pat very dry first.
How much is a cup of grated parmesan?
About 100 g finely grated per US cup, so ½ cup is roughly 50 g. The parmesan converter helps if you weigh.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
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A note on cooking safely. Recipes are provided for informational purposes only and are not medical or nutritional advice. Cooking times, temperatures and quantities are suggestions: use your own judgement, and check that meat, poultry, fish and eggs are properly cooked before serving.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes, particularly if you have allergies, a medical condition or specific nutritional requirements.