This Air Fryer Romanesco has an earthy, neutral flavor that makes it perfect for pairing with almost any dish. You just need 4 ingredients, and in less than 20 minutes, this easy air fryer side dish will be on the table.
Switch up your normal side dish routine with this simple and delicious Air Fryer Romanesco!
Sometimes called Broccoli Romanesco, this cruciferous veggie looks--and tastes--a bit like a cross between broccoli and cauliflower. It's light green in color and dotted with pointy tips.
Not only is Romanesco easy to prep and quick to cook, but it has a nice, somewhat nutty flavor. It is less green than broccoli and more colorful that cauliflower, which makes it a hit with kids and adults alike.
Not only is this veggie tasty, but it's packed with vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber, and carotenoids. Enjoy!
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Ingredients
Here's what you need to make this air fryer romanesco recipe.
- Head of Romanesco -- Choose a medium to large head of Romanesco. It might come with leaves surrounding the head. You will need to remove those before prepping it.
- olive oil or avocado oil -- This helps it get crispy on the outside.
- onion powder -- I prefer to use powdered onion over garlic for this recipe because the pointy tops of the romanesco can burn easily, as can garlic.
- salt-- Just to enhance the other flavors.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Here are step-by-step instructions with photos.
- Prep the romanesco by removing any outer leaves. Then wash the romanesco. Cut the romanesco in half from the top down and use angled cuts to remove the core (as you would with cauliflower). Break or cut the remaining parts into medium-sized florets.
- Add the romanesco florets to a mixing bowl. Drizzle with the oil and seasonings.
- Add a tablespoon or two of water under the air fryer basket. Then add the romanesco to the air fryer basket. (No need to preheat).
- Cook at 400F (200C) for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the romanesco is tender inside and crispy on the edges.
Hint: Prepping the Romanesco is similar to cauliflower. After you remove the core, you can easily break off or cut the rest into florets.
Variations
This Romanesco broccoli recipe has a neutral flavor, if you want to change things up, try these options:
- Spicy - Add red pepper flakes before serving.
- Saucy - Serve with a flavorful sauce like Chimichurri.
- Paprika - Add a ½ teaspoon of paprika for extra flavor.
Equipment
For this recipe, you need an air fryer, a cutting board, a knife, and a mixing bowl. I also like to use a liner for easy cleanup, but that's optional.
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How to serve
Serve this as a quick and easy side dish. Feel free to add additional seasonings or keep things neutral. This romanesco recipe would pair nicely with Teriyaki Tofu.
Storage
Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Top tip
Be sure to add a little bit of water to the air fryer. As with air frying broccoli and cauliflower, this step will help the Romanesco to steam on the inside while getting crispy on the outside.
FAQ
Also known as Romanesco Broccoli, this is a cruciferous vegetable similar to broccoli and cauliflower. It is light green (chartreuse) in color and has a rich, nutty flavor.
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 review of the Best Air Fryers of 2024.
Related
Looking for more air fryer recipes? Try these:
Air Fryer Romanesco
Ingredients
- 1 pound romanesco
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prep the romanesco by removing any outer leaves. Then wash the romanesco. Cut the romanesco in half from the top down and use angled cuts to remove the core (as you would with cauliflower). Break or cut the remaining parts into medium-sized florets.
- Add the romanesco florets to a mixing bowl. Drizzle with the oil and seasonings.
- Add a tablespoon or two of water under the air fryer basket. Then add the romanesco to the air fryer basket. (No need to preheat).
- Cook at 400F (200C) for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the romanesco is tender inside and crispy on the edges
Notes
- I like to use an air fryer liner for easy cleanup, but it's optional.
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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