Air Fryer Broccolini is a super simple side dish that feels fancy. It's ready in about 10 minutes and requires very little prep work. Switch up the seasonings to pair it with just about anything!
This Air Fryer Broccolini makes for a delicious side dish, perfect for a special meal or any time you want an upgrade from your regular broccoli. Broccolini is milder and sweeter than regular broccoli and the stems are crunchy and flavorful, making it the perfect low-waste veggie.
If you've never tried broccolini, now is the time to do it! Air fried broccolini is one of the easiest side dish recipes because there's not a lot of prep work and it cooks in just about 5 minutes. Plus it's incredibly versatile. Just switch up the seasonings and serve it with any meal.
This dish is perfect for anyone who loves broccoli, but wants to switch things up!
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Ingredients
Here's what you need to make this Air Fryer Broccolini recipe.
- Broccolini -- Look for Broccolini that's bright green and has firm stems.
- olive oil or cooking oil of choice -- Or try lemon juice to go oil-free!
- onion or garlic powder -- I've been loving this with onion powder, but either will work.
- salt -- Just a pinch to enhance the flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Here are step-by-step instructions with photos.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F or 200C.
- Wash the broccolini and chop off the ends (about a ½ inch). If any of the stems are thick, you can cut them in half.
- Place the broccolini on a plate and drizzle on the oil. Toss lightly to coat the broccolini. Then sprinkle on the other seasonings.
- Add a tablespoon of water to the air fryer basket. This will help steam the broccolini and prevent burning. Place a liner inside and transfer the broccolini to the basket.
- Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the ends are browned and crispy. Serve and enjoy right away!
Hint: Place the broccolini so that half of the heads are at one end and half are at the other (see the photo above). This will allow you to cook more at one time without too much crowding.
Variations
Here are a few ways to switch things up.
- Spicy - Add a pinch of chili pepper flakes.
- Lemon Pepper - Add a generous squeeze of lemon juice and swap out the onion or garlic powder for lemon pepper.
- Asian-inspired - Try soy sauce, ginger powder, and garlic for the seasonings.
Try Air Fryer Broccoli and Carrots or Air Fryer Romanesco for more cruciferous veggie recipes!
Equipment
For this recipe, you need an air fryer, a cutting board, and a knife. I also like to use a liner for easy cleanup, but that's optional.
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How to serve
Serve this broccolini as an easy side dish with just about any meal. Perfect for a special meal like a birthday, anniversary, or Valentine's Day! Garnish with a squeeze of lemon, nutritional yeast, or whatever you like!
Storage
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I don't recommend freezing unless you plan to use them for a soup or stew.
Top tip
Any time you air fry broccoli, cauliflower, or broccolini, add a tablespoon or 2 of water to the air fryer basket. This will help the inside of the broccoli to steam while the exterior browns without burning or drying out.
FAQ
Broccolini, sometimes called baby broccoli, is a hybrid variety of broccoli that features looser florets and long thin stalks that are sweeter than traditional broccoli stalks.
Choose the air fryer that best meets your needs. Consider things like price, size, and functionality. I personally love my Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer, because it has a bigger capacity, which better suits my family of four.
For more info, see my post What Air Fryer Should I Buy? or check out Good Housekeeping's annually updated review of the Best Air Fryers.
Related
Looking for more air fryer recipes? Try these:
Air Fryer Broccolini
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 oz Broccolini (150g)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon onion or garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
For the air fryer
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F or 200C.
- Wash the broccolini and chop off the ends (about a ½ inch). If any of the stems are thick, you can cut them in half.
- Place the broccolini on a plate and drizzle on the oil. Toss lightly to coat the broccolini. Then sprinkle on the other seasonings.
- Add a tablespoon of water to the air fryer. This will help steam the broccolini and prevent burning.
- Place a liner inside the air fryer and transfer the broccolini to the basket.
- Serve and enjoy right away!
Notes
- I like to use an air fryer liner for easier cleanup.
- Don't put the liner in during preheating, as this could be a fire hazard.
Nutrition
Air Fryer and food safety tips
Here are a few safety tips for cooking with an air fryer.
- Cook food to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always use oven mitts or some protective hand covering when shaking the basket or removing food from the air fryer.
- Hot air comes out the back of the air fryer. Try to keep the back of the air fryer at least a hands length away from the wall, other ingredients, or anything else that could be damaged by heat.
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