15-Minute Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli

Get ready for the absolute BEST broccoli you've ever tasted! This 15-Minute Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli with Garlic Parmesan transforms humble florets into addictive, golden-brown bites that are crunchy, tender, and bursting with savory flavor. Forget soggy steamed broccoli—the air fryer works its magic, giving you perfectly roasted texture in a fraction of the time, all coated in a delicious garlic-parmesan seasoning. It’s quick, easy, healthy, and guaranteed to make even the pickiest eaters love their greens!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

15-Minute Crispy Perfection: Achieves irresistible crispness in under 15 minutes, faster than oven roasting.
Simple & Healthy Side: A quick, nutritious vegetable side dish that's packed with flavor and plant-based goodness.
Garlic Parmesan Flavor Bomb: The savory garlic and "cheesy" vegan Parmesan coating is utterly addictive.
Minimal Cleanup: Uses just one air fryer basket, making post-dinner cleanup a breeze.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Crispy Broccoli:

1 large head (about 1.25 lbs / 550g) broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets
1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil (or avocado oil)
1 tsp (5g) garlic powder
1/2 tsp (2.5g) onion powder
1/4 tsp (1g) salt, or to taste
Pinch of black pepper
2 tbsp (15g) vegan Parmesan cheese (grated)

For Serving (Optional):

Extra vegan Parmesan for garnish
Fresh lemon wedges

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep Broccoli: Wash and thoroughly dry the broccoli florets. Cut them into roughly equal, bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Ensure they are as dry as possible to maximize crispiness.
Season Broccoli: In a large bowl, toss the dried broccoli florets with olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss well until all florets are evenly coated.
Air Fry: Place the seasoned broccoli florets in a single layer in your air fryer basket. You may need to do this in two batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Cook for Crispness: Air fry at 380°F (195°C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket vigorously halfway through, until the broccoli is tender-crisp, slightly charred in spots, and beautifully golden brown.
Add Vegan Parmesan & Serve: Transfer the hot, crispy broccoli to a clean bowl. Immediately sprinkle with vegan Parmesan cheese and toss gently until the cheese melts slightly and coats the florets. Serve hot, with extra vegan Parmesan and a squeeze of fresh lemon if desired!

Serving and Storage Tips

Serving: This crispy broccoli is best served immediately, straight out of the air fryer, while it's still warm and crunchy. It makes a fantastic side dish to any meal.
Storage: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Note: It will lose some crispness once cooled.
Reheating: For best results, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes until warmed through and re-crisped.

Helpful Tips

Dry, Dry, Dry! The absolute most important tip for crispy air fryer broccoli is to ensure your florets are completely dry before tossing with oil and seasonings. Excess moisture equals soggy broccoli.
Don't Overcrowd: Cook in batches if necessary to ensure the broccoli is in a single layer. Overcrowding the basket will steam the broccoli instead of air-fry it, preventing crispness.
Cut Evenly: Aim for similar-sized florets so they cook uniformly. Smaller pieces get crispier faster, larger ones take longer.
Shake Frequently: Shaking the basket halfway through (or even more often) helps ensure all sides of the broccoli get exposed to the hot air, leading to even browning and crispness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use frozen broccoli? A: Yes, but you must thaw it completely and pat it extremely dry before proceeding with the recipe. Frozen broccoli has high water content, so ensure no ice crystals remain.

Q: What if I don't have vegan Parmesan? A: You can omit it, or use nutritional yeast for a "cheesy" flavor. A sprinkle of lemon zest at the end also brightens the dish.

Q: Is this recipe oil-free? A: You can try it without oil, but the oil helps the seasonings stick and contributes significantly to the golden-brown crispiness. If omitting, expect a less crispy result.

Q: Can I make this in the oven? A: Yes! Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and crispy. The air fryer is faster and often achieves more crispness.

Conclusion

Say goodbye to bland vegetables and hello to your new obsession! This 15-Minute Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli with Garlic Parmesan is a quick, healthy, and incredibly flavorful way to get more greens into your diet. It's so good, you might just start craving broccoli—seriously!