The easiest air fryer broccolini with tender stalks, crispy tips, and a garlicky lemon parmesan finish. It's healthy, made with just 5 simple ingredients, and the perfect 10-minute side dish for any meal!
Air Fryer Broccolini At A Glance
- ✅ Recipe Name: Air Fryer Broccolini (Crispy in 10 Minutes!)
- 🕒 Ready In: ~10 minutes
- 👪 Serves: 4
- 🍽 Calories: ~67 per serving
- 🥣 Main Ingredients: Broccolini, olive oil, garlic, lemon, parmesan, salt, pepper, red chili flakes (optional)
- 📖 Dietary Info: Gluten-free, vegetarian, low-calorie, easy vegan option
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Air fryer broccolini usually ends up with burnt tips and tough stems. Cooking it at 370°F gives the stems time to soften before the tips burn. A quick fork check at 6 minutes means no guessing, and the lemon and parmesan go on at the end so they taste fresh.
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Tender and Crispy Air Fryer Roasted Broccolini
Broccolini is such an underrated vegetable. It's mild, a little sweet, and needs almost no prep, and this air fryer broccolini is my favorite way to make it. It's tender, crispy, garlicky, and finished with lemon and parmesan.
Most broccolini recipes call for steaming or sautéing, but I don't like soggy vegetables, so I developed this super crispy version. Air frying gives you the best of both worlds: tender stalks and crispy, charred tips. It's very similar to oven roasting but takes a third of the time.
It only takes 5 simple ingredients and 10 minutes. Since the air fryer is already on, I usually make it alongside my crispy air fryer chicken parmesan or juicy thin-sliced chicken breast. If you only have regular broccoli on hand, my air fryer broccoli and cauliflower uses the same method.
Plus, you can customize it with pesto, balsamic glaze, or soy sauce for an Asian-inspired version. I left a full list of variations below.
I can't wait to hear what you think! Once you try air fryer broccolini, you'll never want to make it any other way.
Jump to:
- Air Fryer Broccolini At A Glance
- Tender and Crispy Air Fryer Roasted Broccolini
- Why You'll Love This Air Fryer Broccolini
- Ingredients You'll Need
- How to Cook Broccolini in the Air Fryer (Step-by-Step)
- Tips for the Crispiest Air Fryer Broccolini
- Air Fryer Broccolini Variations
- What to Serve with Air Fryer Broccolini
- Storing and Reheating
- Air Fryer Broccolini FAQs
- More Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This looks absolutely delicious! I'm adding this to my meal prep this week! Thanks for the recipe.
- Debra
Why You'll Love This Air Fryer Broccolini
- Quick: Ready in 10 minutes, so it's perfect for a busy weeknight side dish.
- Kid-friendly: Crispy tips and a mild, slightly sweet flavor make it an easy win with picky eaters.
- Healthy: Gluten-free and vegetarian, with an easy vegan option if you skip the parmesan.
- Customizable: Over 5 flavor variations below, from pesto to Asian-inspired.
Ingredients You'll Need
This air fryer broccolini is made with 5 simple ingredients, plus salt and pepper. Here's what you'll need and how to swap things if you're missing something. Scroll to the recipe card for exact measurements.
- Broccolini: One bunch, about 8 ounces. Look for firm, bright green stalks and tight florets with no yellow flowers. Rinse it and pat it completely dry before tossing it with oil, so it roasts instead of steaming.
- Olive Oil: Helps the broccolini crisp up in the air fryer. Avocado oil or melted unsalted butter also work.
- Garlic: I use fresh minced garlic for the best flavor. If you only have garlic powder, use ¼ to ½ teaspoon.
- Spices: Salt, pepper, and red chili flakes if you want a little kick.
- Lemon and Parmesan: Added after air frying. Fresh lemon juice adds brightness, and the parmesan makes it cheesy. For a vegan version, swap the parmesan for nutritional yeast.
Quantities are at the bottom on this post.
How to Cook Broccolini in the Air Fryer (Step-by-Step)
Air frying is the easiest, fastest way to make tender, crispy broccolini. Roasting or sautéing broccolini can take 20 to 30 minutes, but air frying it only takes 10 minutes. Here are step-by-step directions with photos for visual reference:
- Step 1: Trim and dry. Preheat your air fryer to 370°F. Rinse the broccolini, pat it completely dry, and cut about 1 inch off the bottoms of the stalks. Drying it before you add the oil helps it roast instead of steam.
- Step 2: Season. Toss the broccolini in a mixing bowl with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and red chili flakes (if using) until every piece is coated.
- Step 3: Arrange in a single layer. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with olive oil spray and add the broccolini in a single layer with no overlap, or it won't get crispy. Cook in batches if needed.
- Step 4: Air fry and finish. Air fry at 370°F for 6 to 8 minutes until tender and crispy. Shake the basket at the 6-minute mark and pierce a stalk with a fork. If it's still firm, add 1 to 2 more minutes. Serve right away with a squeeze of fresh lemon and a sprinkle of parmesan.
Tips for the Crispiest Air Fryer Broccolini
I've made this air fryer broccolini more times than I can count, and these are the little things that make the biggest difference:
- Dry it well: This is the one step I never skip. Any leftover water turns to steam, and you end up with soft, soggy stalks instead of crispy tips.
- Split thick stalks: Some bunches have a few extra-thick stalks. I slice those in half lengthwise so everything is done at the same time.
- Shake at 6 minutes: I always give the basket a good shake halfway through so every piece gets crispy. If you have an oven-style air fryer, just flip them with tongs.
- Watch for dark tips: Every air fryer runs a little differently. If your tips are browning before the stalks are fork-tender, drop it to 350°F and add 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add lemon and parmesan last: I add the lemon and parmesan right after it comes out of the air fryer. The lemon stays bright, and the parmesan doesn't burn.
Air Fryer Broccolini Variations
Here are a few of my favorite ways to change things up when I want something different!
- Pesto: Toss the broccolini with 2 to 3 tablespoons of pesto right after air frying. I love this nut-free basil pesto.
- Asian-Inspired: Toss the broccolini with 1 to 2 tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce and ½ teaspoon of sesame oil before air frying, then garnish with sesame seeds. Skip the extra salt since soy sauce is already salty.
- Balsamic Glazed: Drizzle balsamic glaze over the broccolini right after air frying and toss to coat.
- Everything Bagel: Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning over the broccolini before air frying. It's the same flavor I use on my everything bagel crusted salmon, and they're great together.
- Cinnamon Maple: Add 1 tablespoon of pure maple syrup with the olive oil, and swap the garlic for ½ teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Fresh Herbs: Finish with chopped fresh rosemary or parsley to brighten it up.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Broccolini
This is my go-to side for almost any protein, and since it only takes 10 minutes, I usually make it while my main dish finishes. Here are a few of my favorite pairings:
Storing and Reheating
This air fryer broccolini is crispiest straight out of the air fryer, but leftovers are still great for meal prep.
- Storing: Let it cool, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2 to 3 minutes until warm and crisp again. If you're in a rush, microwave it for 30 to 45 seconds. It won't be as crispy, but it still tastes great.
- Freezing: I don't recommend freezing it. The stalks get soft and watery once thawed.
Air Fryer Broccolini FAQs
Air fry broccolini at 370°F for 6 to 8 minutes, until the stalks are fork-tender and the tips are crispy. I check it with a fork at 6 minutes and add 1 to 2 more minutes if the stalks are still firm.
Yes! Cut it into florets and add 2 to 4 minutes to the cook time, checking at 7 minutes.
Yes, and I prefer it here! Fresh garlic can burn in the air fryer during longer cook times, but this recipe only cooks for 6 to 8 minutes, so the garlic turns golden and fragrant without burning. If you only have garlic powder, use ¼ to ½ teaspoon instead.
Yes, baby broccoli is just another name for broccolini. It's a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli, with longer, thinner stalks and a milder, slightly sweet flavor.
The bottoms of the stalks are tough and chewy, so I trim about 1 inch off before cooking.
Yes! It's a simple, whole-food side with no added sugar, and broccolini is a great source of vitamin C. It's also gluten-free and easy to make vegan.
Yes! Just cook it in batches. The broccolini needs to be in a single layer with no overlap to get crispy, so piling a double batch into the basket will steam it instead. Each batch only takes 6 to 8 minutes, and the second batch usually cooks a little faster since the air fryer is already hot.
More Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
If you loved this crispy air fryer broccolini, here are a few more to try next:
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don't forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Broccolini
Ingredients
- 1 bunch broccolini, about 8 ounces, ends trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes, optional
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan, for serving
- 1 lemon, for serving
- Olive oil spray, for the basket
Instructions
- Trim and dry: Preheat your air fryer to 370°F. Rinse the broccolini, pat it completely dry, and cut about 1 inch off the bottoms of the stalks.
- Season: Toss the broccolini in a mixing bowl with the olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and chili flakes (if using) until every piece is coated.
- Arrange in a single layer: Lightly grease the air fryer basket with olive oil spray and add the broccolini in a single layer with no overlap. Cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry: Air fry at 370°F for 6 to 8 minutes until tender and crispy. Shake the basket at the 6-minute mark and pierce a stalk with a fork. If it's still firm, add 1 to 2 more minutes.
- Finish and serve: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top, sprinkle with parmesan, and serve right away.
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe tested and developed by Tati Chermayeff, creator of Healthful Blondie. A former Division I rower, Ironman triathlete, and recipe developer based in Austin, TX, Tati creates high-protein and healthy recipes that actually taste like the real thing.
Debra says
This looks absolutely delicious! I'm adding this to my meal prep this week! Thanks for the recipe
Tati Chermayeff says
YAY!!! Can't wait to hear what you think.
Karen Poelstra says
Im about to make this- I’m a little confused, after washing the broccolini it says to dry it, then toss in bowl with olive oil, garlic etc.
Further on in the notes it says make sure broccolini is completed when going in the airfryer… won’t there be olive oil on the broccolini? Or do you ‘dry’ it again after coating in olive oil?
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Karen! Great question. You dry the broccolini right after rinsing it, before adding any oil. That way the olive oil actually sticks and the broccolini roasts instead of steaming. Once it's coated in oil, you don't need to dry it again. I just updated the recipe to make that clearer. Thank you for asking!