This air fryer broccolini is the ultimate side dish coming together in just 10 minutes! With tender, but still crisp pieces of broccolini flavoured with salt, lemon, pepper and garlic, this is my favourite quick and easy way to cook this delicious vegetable. Perfect as a side for all your favourite dishes!
Looking for more vegetable side dishes in the air fryer? Try these air fryer potatoes next!
I think a side of broccolini should go with most meals. If I am at a restaurant and they have broccolini listed as a side, you bet I am ordering it. It’s a completely underrated vegetable in my opinion.
My favourite way to enjoy broccolini is roasted, but that takes a little time. The air fryer on the other hand gives perfect roasted broccolini in just 6 minutes! The tops get ultra delicious and crispy, while the stems remain crisp but tender. It’s just broccolini perfection!
Broccolini is in abundance at the moment so it’s a great time to give this recipe a go. You can serve up the broccolini with any protein you like, so see further down this list for a bunch of recipes that you can try it with.
Key Ingredients
You’ll need a handful of ingredients to make this simple but delicious vegetable side.
Note all ingredients and their quantities are laid out in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Broccolini – as broccolini is usually sold in bunches, I’m using just one of those which is usually enough for two people, but you can scale this recipe as needed.
- Olive oil – helps the broccolini get nice and crispy while air fried. You can substitute with avocado oil if you prefer.
- Garlic powder – you could keep it simple just with salt and pepper but the added flavour of garlic is so delicious and pairs perfectly with the broccolini.
- Lemon – a little fresh lemon juice is optional but really adds extra vibrancy to the broccolini after cooking.
Equipment and Tools
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Air fryer – It’s no surprise you’ll need an air fryer to make this recipe. This is the one I have which I love and use a lot! It is perfect for 2 people, but if you’re feeding a family look for an XL or XXL size.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Start by prepping your broccolini. Give it a good wash and pat dry with paper towels. Next, use a sharp knife to cut off the hard bottom ends.
Add the broccolini to a bowl with the olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and toss until evenly coated.
Arrange the broccolini in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Transfer to a plate and serve with fresh lemon wedges while still hot and crispy. Letting the broccolini sit for too long can result in it becoming soggy which is not what we want.
What to serve with air fryer broccolini
This broccolini only takes 6 minutes to cook in the air fryer, so its a side you can pair with an air fryer protein as it will literally cook completely in the time it takes your meat to rest. Try it with one of these favourites;
- Air fryer lemon pepper chicken
- Air fryer steak
- Air fryer lamb chops
- Air fryer pork chops
- Air fryer chicken breast
- Air fryer chicken schnitzel
- Air fryer teriyaki salmon
And for a sauce, try this lemon garlic sauce or this vegan basil pesto.
Recipe FAQs
Yes you can, this method works for regular broccoli. You may need to cut it into smaller florets and adjust the cooking time however. Check for doneness around 6 minutes and add more time if needed.
You certainly can, but the reason I don’t is that fresh garlic may burn in the air fryer which can result in a bitter flavour. For extra garlic flavour, try using a garlic-infused olive oil.
While I recommend cooking and eating this broccolini immediately, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 2–3 minutes until warm and crispy.
If you do make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below! And tag any of your creations on Instagram with @eightforestlane as I would love to see.
More vegetable sides:
Roasted Vegetable Salad
Vegan Cauliflower Cheese Bake
The BEST Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Crispy Salt and Vinegar Smashed Potatoes
Air Fryer Broccolini
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bunch broccolini
- 1 tablespoon olive oil approximately
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
- Trim any tough ends from the broccolini stems and add to a bowl. Toss the broccolini with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Arrange the broccolini in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Transfer to a plate and serve with fresh lemon wedges.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a guide only and is calculated using automated online tools, therefore we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We encourage you to make your own calculations based on the actual ingredients used in your recipe.
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