With just a few simple ingredients, this Air Fryer Broccoli with a garlic and lemon sauce is one of the healthiest and most flavorful sides. Perfect for a busy weeknight side dish, it can be ready in just minutes!
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❤️ Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe
- Garlic and lemon perfectly compliment the favor of the broccoli
- Perfectly crispy texture
- Air Fryer Broccoli takes 20 minutes or less from start to finish
- Simple ingredients that you probably have on hand
If you are a big fan of broccoli, like I am, then you love it prepared anyway you can get it. Whether in a savory casserole like this Broccoli Bacon Alfredo, or in a salad like this Broccoli Salad with Bacon, it is always a delicious go-to side dish.
But there is something extra special that happens to broccoli when it's roasted. It becomes so tender in the middle, with these irresistible golden edges and amazingly delicious crispy tips.
This air fryer broccoli recipe even goes one step further. A simple and easy lemony garlic butter sauce tops it off, perfectly complementing the textures and natural flavors of the broccoli. It is AH-mazing!
One of the things you'll love the most about this recipe is that it is fantastic to eat just as it is, or you can top it with any of your favorite sauces, like this Easy Cheese Sauce.
For something extra creamy you could drizzle it with a little of this Creamy Dill Sauce. If you like tangy flavors, this Balsamic Glaze is amazing over roasted vegetables.
What You’ll Need to Make Air Fryer Broccoli
- Broccoli
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Garlic salt
- Garlic cloves
- Lemon
- Ground black pepper
- Optional: red pepper flakes
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
How to Make Broccoli in the Air Fryer
Wash, cut and thoroughly dry your broccoli florets.
Add them to a mixing bowl, then pour the olive oil, garlic salt and pepper over the top.
Mix to coat each piece, then place them on your air fryer racks or basket, spaced apart to allow air to circulate.
Turn your air fryer to 375°F and cook for 9-11 minutes or until slightly browned, then return the broccoli to the mixing bowl.
While the broccoli is cooking, heat a skillet to medium and melt the butter.
Sauté the garlic for about 20 seconds, then remove from the heat and add in the lemon juice and zest.
Pour the butter mixture over the broccoli, toss and serve with slices of lemon and a pinch of the (optional) red pepper flakes.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for a few days or freeze.
You sure can. Just put the broccoli back in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes until it’s hot. It will be just as crispy and taste like it did when you initially made it.
It is GREAT for Keto! Not only is it low in carbs with approximately 6 net carbs for a whole one cup serving, but it is also super nutritious!
Broccoli is loaded with fiber, vitamins C and K, iron, folate, potassium, and tons of antioxidants. It has many health benefits that you can read about in this article on Healthline.
Yes! You can certainly roast frozen broccoli in the air fryer. It will take a little longer because before it starts roasting, the air fryer has to cook the moisture out. Air fryer frozen broccoli results won’t be quite as crispy but is still delicious.
Tips for Air Fried Broccoli
- Cut all broccoli pieces into similar-sized pieces that aren't too small. Though you don't want really large chunks, you don't want them too small either. Look at the image of the broccoli I used to give you an idea. This helps ensure that the stalk of the florets cook nice and tender, and the florets are nice and crispy without getting too brown.
- If you're feeding a crowd, you may have to roast the broccoli in batches. If the broccoli is too crowded in air fryer it will be soften and not crisp up.
- Don't skip the olive oil. Really toss the oil and broccoli, coating it well. This is the key to getting that delicious crispiness.
What is the Best Air Fryer?
I used my Power Air Fryer Oven (with the racks) to make mine, but you can use any air fryer you have. What I love about the Air Fryer Oven is that you never have to flip anything you bake, because the air circulates around everything perfectly!
It has 3 racks that will fit a good amount of food on them! But it also comes with skewers, fry basket (great for nuts) and a rotisserie rack that rotates!
I also use these silicone mitts for removing the racks while they're hot. They're nice and slim, so you can easily fit your hand in there to retrieve the racks. I absolutely love them!
If you have another type of air fryer, you can certainly use what you have. Just be sure to follow the instructions per the manufacturer and the cooking temp/time should be the same.
More Keto Air Fryer Recipes
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
- Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders
- Jalapeño Poppers
- Pork Tenderloin
- Zucchini Fries
- Buffalo Wings
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Air Fryer Broccoli
Ingredients
- 6 cups broccoli, cut into florets
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest and juice of small lemon
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Optional red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Wash, cut and thoroughly dry your broccoli florets. Add them to a mixing bowl, then pour the olive oil, garlic salt and pepper over the top.
- Mix to coat each piece, then place them on your air fryer racks or basket, spaced apart to allow air to circulate.
- Turn your air fryer to 375°F and cook for 9-11 minutes or until slightly browned, then return the broccoli to the mixing bowl.
- While the broccoli is cooking, heat a skillet to medium and melt the butter.
- Sauté the garlic for about 20 seconds, then remove from the heat and add in the lemon juice and zest.
- Pour the butter mixture over the broccoli, toss and serve with slices of lemon and a pinch of the (optional) red pepper flakes. Store leftovers in an airtight container for a few days or freeze.
*Make sure to scroll up and read the post for substitutions, additions and helpful tips for making this recipe.
*Nutritional data is provided as a courtesy and is accurate to the best of my knowledge. You can verify it using the nutrition calculator of your choice. All data is based on net carbs, without sugar alcohol: Swerve, Erythritol, Monk Fruit or Allulose.
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Rate this Recipe
Amy
I think you've convinced me to buy an air fryer!
Keto Cooking Christian
YAY! Stayed tuned because I have more great air fryer recipes coming up soon.