Description
Crispy air fryer broccoli delivers a crunchy side dish packed with flavor and nutrition. Garlic, parmesan, and olive oil create a simple yet irresistible coating you’ll crave at every meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (960 ml) broccoli florets (about 1 head of broccoli)
- 1.5 tbsps (22 ml) olive oil
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Red pepper flakes
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Ranch or yogurt dip (for serving)
Instructions
- Preparation: Meticulously cleanse broccoli crowns, fragmenting into uniform, bite-sized clusters that promise even crisping during cooking.
- Seasoning: Thoroughly pat florets dry, then anoint with premium olive oil, ensuring a gossamer-thin coating. Massage a harmonious blend of garlic powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper across the vegetables. Generously dust with finely grated Parmesan cheese for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Air Frying Setup: Ignite the air fryer, calibrating the temperature to a precise 375°F. Strategically arrange seasoned broccoli in a solitary, uncrowded layer within the basket, guaranteeing individual floret transformation.
- Cooking Process: Orchestrate the culinary performance for 8-10 minutes, intermittently agitating the basket to promote comprehensive golden-brown caramelization. Vigilantly observe the broccoli’s metamorphosis, seeking deep amber edges and delicate charring that signifies perfect doneness.
- Serving: Expeditiously liberate the crispy broccoli onto a serving plate, preserving its impeccable textural integrity and preventing residual cooking.
Notes
- Moisture Management: Pat broccoli completely dry before seasoning to achieve maximum crispiness and prevent soggy results.
- Spacing Strategy: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, allowing each floret enough room for proper air circulation and even browning.
- Seasoning Technique: Massage spices gently into broccoli to ensure uniform flavor distribution and complete coating.
- Cheese Caramelization: Add Parmesan during the last few minutes of cooking to prevent burning while creating deliciously crispy, golden edges.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 2 mg