This Air Fryer Broccolini takes only 10 minutes and 3 ingredients to make. This healthy side dish is tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, making it a fast and simple side dish that everyone will love.
Serve it with my Air Fryer Tilapia or Air Fryer Steelhead Trout for a fast and easy weeknight dinner.
Air Fryer Broccolini recipe
Air Fryer Broccolini is such an easy, tasty, and perfect side dish and a fabulous air fryer recipe. Using fresh, tender, and easy-to-prepare broccolini, this side dish uses only 3 ingredients including onion powder and garlic powder. The entire dish cooks in less than 10 minutes. You end up with a tender texture inside and the perfect roasted char that's crispy on the outside. This looks fancy, but could not be easier to make.
Broccolini is an underrated vegetable that should be making more of an appearance in your dinner rotation. My twins call it baby broccoli and just love it. Broccolini isn't broccoli that isn't full-grown, it's a hybrid plant from broccoli and Chinese broccoli. The entire plant, including the leaves, is edible. Broccoli tastes similar to broccoli, but is a little less bitter, making it a great choice for kids. It also feels a bit fancier on the table to me than regular broccoli. It's one of my favorite veggies.
This version of Air Fryer Broccolini keeps it simple, but there are so many ways to customize this dish and I've included those suggestions below.
Air Fryer Broccolini Share on X
Why You'll Love this Air Fryer Broccolini recipe...
- Air Fryer Broccolini comes out crispy and tender every time!
- You only need three ingredients to make it, making this an easy side dish anyone can make.
- It takes less than 10 minutes to cook.
- It has very little prep work! You don't have to chop up the broccolini.
- It's gluten-free, low-carb, keto, and dairy-free.
- Tastes great with so many main courses.
Ingredients:
Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Air Fryer Broccolini recipe, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.
- Broccolini: It is sold in small bunches, around 8 ounces, near the broccoli in the produce section. The entire plant is edible, including the leaves. It tastes similar to broccoli but has a fancier look and a slightly milder taste. There is less prep time involved because you don't have to chip it into smaller pieces.
- Olive Oil Spray: I'm a big fan of using an olive oil spray when air frying and roasting. It evenly distributes the olive oil in the thick coat, keeping the amount of oil you need at a minimum. You can use something like this or an olive oil sprayer. You could also use avocado oil.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: I like using both of these flavors to bring out the flavors in the broccolini. You can also use garlic salt.
- Salt & Black Pepper
- Optional Toppings & Garnish: fresh lemon juice & parmesan cheese
Instructions:
This is an overview of the instructions to make this Air Fryer Broccolini recipe, but the full detailed printable recipe is below in the recipe card.
- Preheat the fryer to 370 degrees.
- Rise the broccolini, pat it dry, and cut off the bottoms of the stalks, similar to how you prep asparagus. Make sure the broccolini is dry so it doesn't steam instead of roast. Excess moisture can keep it from getting crispy.
- Put the broccolini in a single layer in the air fryer basket. I like to keep mine from overlapping to make sure they get nice and crispy and don't steam. You might need to cook it in batches if you have a lot depending on the size of your air fryer..
- Spray the broccolini with olive oil spray and sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
- Air fry the broccolini for 6-7 minutes until fork tender. Cooking time can vary due to the thickness of the broccolini and the actual air fryer. Check the stems at 6 minutes to see if they are tender enough. They might need a few extra minutes, especially if they are thick. If you like them chared, you'll also need to give them a few extra minutes.
- Serve immediately as is, or add a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
Variations
I love this Air Fryer Broccolini recipe as written, but here are some fun variations.
- Add Different Spices: This is great plain but depending on what you are making you could add Italian Spice Mix, Everything Bagel Seasoning, Cajun Spice Mix, Ranch Seasoning Mix, Taco Spice Mix, and Blackening Seasoning.
- Make it Asian: Toss it in sesame oil and soy sauce instead of olive oil and top it with sesame seeds.
- Add a Pesto: Finish the dish by adding one of my 10 Homemade Pesto Recipes.
- Balsamic Glazed: Finish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
FAQ
Storage & Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. I would not try to freeze this after cooking it. Reheat it in the microwave or back into the air fryer.
How long do you cook broccolini in the air fryer?
Broccolini cooks fast in the air fryer. It cooks in around 6 minutes at 370 depending on your air fryer and the thickness of your broccolini.
Can I make this in the oven?
Yes! If you don't have an air fryer you can easily cook this in the oven. Follow the same prep instructions, and put the broccolini on a sheet pan instead of the air fryer tray. Roast at 425 for about 10 minutes.
Air Fryer Broccolini - 3 Ingredient Side Dish
This Air Fryer Broccolini is such a great ingredient side dish. The broccolini feels a bit fancier than plain broccoli, giving even a weeknight meal a gourmet feel. I love how it tastes, how quickly you can make it, and how everyone just loves it. It pairs well with any protein and starch including fish, seafood, chicken, pork, and steak. Here are a few ideas from Running in a Skirt to serve it with to make a delicious dinner.
Serve it With:
- Blackened Shrimp
- Blackened Cod
- Lemon Butter Grouper
- Broiled Bay Scallops
- Blackened Swordfish
- Pesto Salmon
- Crab Stuffed Shrimp
- Everything Bagel Salmon
- Three Cheese Portobello Mushroom
If you make this Air Fryer Broccolini, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Air Fryer Broccolini
Ingredients
- 1 bunch broccolini, 8 ounces
- olive oil spray
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- salt & pepper
- extras: lemon juice & parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat thair fryer to 370 degees.
- Rise the broccolini, pat it dry and cut off the bottoms of the stalks.
- Put the broccolini in a single layer in the air fryer.
- Spray the broccolini with olive oil spray and sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and peper.
- Air fry the broccolini for 6-7 minutes until fork tender.
- Serve immediatly as is, or add a squeeze of lemon juice and sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
Notes
Nutrition
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