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• This Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe Never Lets Me Down
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Cook Broccoli In The Air Fryer
• My Air Frying Tips
• Air Fryer Broccoli (10-Min Recipe) Recipe card
• Serving Ideas
• Recipe Reviews

This Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe Never Lets Me Down

This air fryer broccoli was one of the first air fryer recipes I created when I got this appliance years ago, and it’s still the #1 way I cook this vegetable. Whenever I have a standalone protein planned for dinner, especially when I’m focused on testing another dish, I need this kind of zero-thinking, simple veggie side.

I’ve tried roasted broccoli , sauteed broccoli , grilled broccoli , and even steamed broccoli … and while they all have their place, nothing checks all the boxes quite like this. Here’s why this air fryer broccoli recipe is always a winner:

• Perfectly tender, with crispier edges than other methods – Air fried broccoli comes out sweeter and more caramelized than any other cooking method I’ve made. I get browned edges on the outside and stalks that are tender on the inside, with less risk of overcooking. With most methods, the broccoli usually gets soft before it browns like this.
• Fastest side ever – With just 4 ingredients I always have on hand, I can whip this up in 10 minutes. It’s super easy and much faster than the oven.
• No checking on it – The air fryer is consistent and reliable, so I can set the time and forget about it.
• Goes with everything – I’ve served air fryer broccoli with chicken , steak , fish , you name it… and it never feels out of place.

If you need a quick, healthy side dish that goes with any main, throwing some broccoli in the air fryer is one of the easiest, tastiest options. Make it with me!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my air fryer broccoli recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Broccoli – I prefer to get a head of broccoli and cut it into florets myself (it’s more affordable and more fresh), but I’ve tested this with precut broccoli florets and they work fine. I find they’re not always cut the same size, so I usually still need to cut some of them to be uniform.
• Oil – I usually use olive oil , but avocado oil works great, too.
• Lemon Juice – I like a little lemon flavor in my air fryer broccoli, but feel free to skip it. You can also do a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end instead of adding it before cooking.
• Spices – My must-haves are garlic powder , salt, and pepper. If you’re feeling extra, add paprika, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, or even some grated parmesan cheese. I’ve also enjoyed this with a sprinkle of lemon pepper seasoning .

How To Cook Broccoli In The Air Fryer

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Season. Toss the broccoli in a big bowl with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. I used a wooden spoon to mix below, but usually find tongs to be easier.
2. Air fry. Place the broccoli in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook until it’s crisp-tender with browned edges. Shake the basket halfway through.

My Air Frying Tips

• The size of the florets makes a big difference in timing. The cook time can vary depending on how you cut them. I recommend not too small, about 2 inches long and at least 1 inch across the heads. I find they burn too easily if the heads are very small!
• Cook your protein first. Since air fryer broccoli takes just 5 minutes, it’s the perfect timing to cook it while your chicken, beef, or fish rests after cooking.
• Don’t crowd the basket. A little touching is fine, but avoid overlapping for even cooking and better browning. I have this air fryer and this entire air fryer broccoli recipe fits in the basket in one go. If yours is smaller, just cook in batches, or turn the extra broccoli into slaw or broccoli fritters .
• Want less browning? One of my kids prefers very little browning, so for her I make a smaller batch at 350 or even 320 degrees F instead of the higher heat.
• How long to cook broccoli in the air fryer? I air fry broccoli at 380 degrees F for about 5 minutes, but I start checking at 4. The stems should have a little resistance and still look bright green. If the tops brown too fast, I just lower the heat and let it go a bit longer.
• Can you cook frozen broccoli in the air fryer? Yep, air frying frozen broccoli totally works, it just takes a few extra minutes. See how I air fry frozen broccoli here !
• Can you cook it with other vegetables? Yes, but it’s faster than most. I find the timing from my air fryer vegetables recipe is a good compromise that works for broccoli as well as other veggies. When I air fry broccoli together with just air fried cauliflower , I cut the cauliflower a little smaller than the broccoli florets.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 5 cups Broccoli florets ▢
• 3 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 1/2 tbsp Lemon juice ▢
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder ▢
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F (193 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, drizzle broccoli with olive oil and lemon juice. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
3. Arrange the broccoli in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if needed. Air fry for 5 minutes , shaking the basket halfway through, until the air fryer broccoli is tender and the edges are browned. (The time can vary slightly depending on the size of your florets.)

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you air fry broccoli perfectly for the best texture.
• Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• Reheat: I highly recommend popping the broccoli in the air fryer again to reheat. It takes only 1-2 minutes, and for reheating I prefer a lower temperature (320-350 degrees F), so the florets don’t darken more.
• Freeze: You can freeze air fryer broccoli for up to 2-3 months, but I only do it if I have a lot left. The texture gets much softer.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Easy Air Fryer Broccoli

Serving Ideas

What I love most about this air fryer broccoli recipe is that it works with everything . Try it with:

• Sauce – Air fried broccoli is delicious plain, but I love it even more dunked in garlic aioli or drizzled with pesto or tahini sauce .
• Chicken – I often make this easy side dish with air fryer chicken legs or air fryer chicken thighs for busy weeknights. That way there’s only one thing to clean and the broccoli cooks while the chicken rests. For something more unique, cook the veggies in parallel with my flavorful garlic butter chicken or chicken patties .
• Beef & Pork – For a nicer dinner, try my top sirloin steak , filet mignon recipe (my favorite cut), or seared pork chops . It’s also the perfect veggie add-in to my Korean beef bowls .
• Fish – The light lemon flavor in this air fryer broccoli makes it a natural match for my baked cod or parmesan crusted tilapia . For something richer, I highly recommend my sea bass or halibut recipes — both come with dreamy sauces that are amazing over the broccoli!

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Air Fryer Broccoli (10-Min Recipe)

My air fryer broccoli recipe is perfectly tender with crispy, browned edges! Make this easy, healthy side dish in just 10 minutes.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/air-fryer-broccoli/

Ingredients

• 5 cups Broccoli florets
• 3 tbsp Olive oil
• 1/2 tbsp Lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F (193 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, drizzle broccoli with olive oil and lemon juice. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
3. Arrange the broccoli in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if needed. Air fry for 5 minutes , shaking the basket halfway through, until the air fryer broccoli is tender and the edges are browned. (The time can vary slightly depending on the size of your florets.)

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you air fry broccoli perfectly for the best texture.
• Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• Reheat: I highly recommend popping the broccoli in the air fryer again to reheat. It takes only 1-2 minutes, and for reheating I prefer a lower temperature (320-350 degrees F), so the florets don’t darken more.
• Freeze: You can freeze air fryer broccoli for up to 2-3 months, but I only do it if I have a lot left. The texture gets much softer.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)