Air fryer broccolini is the way to go! You'll have a delicious roasted broccolini flavor, without heating up your oven. Season with a squeeze of lemon or some garlic for a flavor sensation!
![Air fried fresh broccolini with lemon on the plate.](https://smellslikedelish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/af-broccolini-vertical-4.jpg)
What Is Broccolini?
Broccolini a cross between regular broccoli and a Chinese broccoli. Broccolini is completely edible from the small florets, long stalks, and even the small leaves. Compared to regular broccoli, broccolini has a milder, more earthy flavor that lends itself to roasting.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Air frying broccolini packs powerful flavor punch without any unnecessary fat and calories. It cooks quickly and lends itself to a variety of seasoning options. Just brush with some olive oil, season, and cook!
- Air frying cooks broccolini in a fraction of the time it takes to roast or steam it.
- Air frying intensifies the natural sweetness of broccolini, bringing out its subtle nutty and earthy notes.
- Air fryer broccolini requires minimal prep work. Just a quick trim, a drizzle of oil, and your favorite seasonings, and you're good to go!
Broccolini is a great alternative to traditional broccoli, and it tastes delicious when cooked in the air fryer.
Ingredients You'll Need
You want nice fresh broccolini. Calculate ยผ pound per person. Fresh lemon juice and lemon zest is preferred but bottled is fine.
- Fresh Broccolini - trimmed, rinsed, and patted dry.
- Olive oil - to brush on the broccolini florets.
- Lemon Juice - Fresh squeezed lemon juice.
- Garlic - minced.
- Salt
- Pepper
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Air Fry Broccolini
You will wash it well, trim off any woody parts of the stem (similar to trimming asparagus). Pat the broccolini dry with a few paper towels so the olive oil and seasonings stick.
Prepare The Broccolini
Get fresh broccolini when it is in season. Trim the ends, rinse and pat the broccolini dry.
- After washing, trimming, and patting the broccolini dry, place it in a bowl.
- Add the salt to the bowl of washed broccolini.
Season For Broccolini For Air Frying
- Sprinkle the broccolini with pepper, garlic powder, and any other spices or seasonings you are using.
- Toss the broccolini so that it is lightly coated with the oil and seasonings.
Pop In The Air Fryer
When you air fry broccolini, it cooks up very much like oven roasted broccolini! The edges get a little crispy, and adds to the flavor profile!
PRO TIP: Sprinkle your hot, fresh from the air fryer broccolini with some Parmesan cheese for a finishing touch.
Tips for Success
- Be sure to pat the broccolini dry before air frying. Excess water will prevent it from roasting.
- Don't over fill the air fryer basket. Keep the broccolini to a one layer cook. Repeat for the remaining broccolini.
Substitutions
- You can substitute regular broccoli also, just cut the crowns into thin slices about the size of broccolini, so that the broccoli cooks yet still stays crisp.
Serving Suggestions
Air Fryer Broccolini is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a side, snack, or even a main course. It's the perfect low calorie side dish for grilled salmon, steaks, or broiled chicken!
Serve air fried broccolini with you favorite main dishes like our Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta, Meatloaf with Lipton Soup mix, Broiled Chicken Thighs or Longhorns Salmon for a complete meal.
Related Recipes
- Old Fashioned Biscuits (Crisco Biscuits)
- Twisted Garlic Herb Bread
- 35 One Pot Rice Meals Your Family Will Love
- Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
Storage and Reheating
- Store air fryer broccolini in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat it in a pre heated air fryer to restore its crispy exterior.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can, just cover and freeze up to 3 months. The broccolini will not be quite as crisp on the reheat, but it will still taste fabulous.
Yes! Just wash, trim, and season your carrots, beets, broccoli, zucchini, just like the broccolini. Cooking times will vary according to the hardness of the vegetable.
Yes, you can. Just cut the broccoli into thinner strips so that it air fries like broccolini.
Broccoli rabe is actually in the turnip family. This means it is very similar to other bitter greens, but it cooks and tastes very similar to broccolini.
More Delish Ideas
- Homemade Air Fried White Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fryer Country Style Ribs
- 31 Awesome Air Fryer Appetizers
- Air Fryer Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Broccolini
Ingredients
- 1 lb Broccolini, fresh
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest for garnish
Instructions
- Rinse the broccolini and trim off any woody end pieces. Pat dry with some paper towels.1 lb Broccolini, fresh
- In a large bowl add the broccolini. Pour the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Toss broccolini with seasonings until coated lightly.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 clove garlic, minced, salt to taste, pepper to taste
- Transfer the half the broccolini to your air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook at 375° F for 5 to 6 minutes for broccolini that is al dente, you can cook longer if you like it even softer.
- Remove the air fryer basket and lift out the cooked broccolini to a serving plate. Set aside while you air fry cook the second half of the broccolini.
- Repeat process with the remaining half of the broccolini in the bowl.
- Garnish with lemon zest or seasoning salt if desired, and serve!1 teaspoon lemon zest for garnish
Notes
- Store leftovers in air tight container.
- If cooking for more than 2 people, cook in two sessions.
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