Air Fryer Broccoli (Pressure-cooker)

Air Fryer Broccoli is a quick, simple, nutritious side dish. With the Pressure-cooker or an air fryer, you can whip up tasty, healthy food in minutes!

Are you looking for healthier dishes to cook in your air fryer?

Sure, we love our Pressure-cooker and our tray-style air fryer for crisping up food that's normally fried. These multi-cookers and air fryers do an amazing job developing robust flavors and crispy crunchy textures with Crispy Paprika Chicken, Homemade Air Fryer Pizza Rolls, and Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken without frying them in oil.

But did you also know how amazing the Pressure-cooker and other air fryers are at crisping up your favorite veggies?

Health benefits of broccoli

Broccoli is one of the easiest vegetables to prepare, in the opinion. And, it's so good for you!

Known for being a Super Food, broccoli is packed with nutrients and antioxidants that help support good health. Broccoli is low in calories, and a good source of fiber and protein. These cruciferous green plants that are part of the cabbage family also contain:

iron
potassium
calcium
magnesium
selenium
vitamins A, C, E, K
several B vitamins, including folic acid.

Pressure-cooker Broccoli

Some people like to steam their broccoli. Personally, We prefer to air fry broccoli. We prefer the crunch and flavor that's infused into the greens that comes from air frying.

Do you have a Pressure-cooker? We have the 8-quart XL Deluxe Pressure-cooker and love it. You can also make this recipe in a tray-style air fryer or a basket-style air fryer.

Making broccoli in the Pressure-cooker or air fryer is so simple.

Full ingredient measurements and cooking instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Preheat the Pressure-cooker or air fryer for 5 minutes.
While it's preheating, chop the broccoli florets from the stems. Save the stems for stock or other dishes. In a large bowl, mix together the broccoli, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
We find that the olive oil coating on the broccoli is usually enough to keep the broccoli from sticking to the basket. However, you can also lightly spray your air fryer tray or Pressure-cooker Cook & Crisp Basket with avocado oil, coconut oil, or olive oil.
Place seasoned broccoli on the tray or into the Pressure-cooker Cook & Crisp Basket in an even single layer.
Air fry or air crisp at 390°F for 10 minutes, or until the broccoli reaches your desired crispness. Halfway through the cooking time, at 5 minutes, lightly toss the broccoli or shake the basket to help ensure even air frying. Return to the air fryer or Pressure-cooker and resume cooking until the broccoli reaches your preferred level of crispness.
When cooking is done, transfer broccoli to a plate and serve immediately.

The end result is broccoli that is full of flavor with a nice crispness to every bite.

Main Dishes to Serve with Air Fryer Broccoli

A light lunch of shredded salsa chicken, pasta, and air fryer broccoli

Storage and reheating

Allow cooked broccoli to cool at room temperature. Then transfer broccoli to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to five days, or in the freezer for up to two months.

To reheat: Toss refrigerated or thawed frozen broccoli with some olive oil, then air fry at 380°F for 3 to 4 minutes.

More Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Broccoli (Pressure-cooker Broccoli)

By Marlynn Schotland Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Total Time: 15 mins Servings: 4 side dish servings Making broccoli in the air fryer produces a tasty, crispy, nutritious side dish to go with any meal!

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

1 large head of broccoli, chopped, about 3 cups
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
cooking spray, optional
1 lemon wedge, optional

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix together the broccoli, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Optional: lightly spray air fryer tray or Pressure-cooker Cook & Crisp Basket with avocado oil, coconut oil, or olive oil. See notes below.
Place seasoned broccoli on the tray or into the Pressure-cooker Cook & Crisp Basket in an even single layer.
Air fry or air crisp at 390°F for 10 minutes, or until broccoli reaches your desired crispness. Halfway through the cooking time, at 5 minutes, lightly toss the broccoli or shake the basket to help ensure even air frying. Return to the air fryer or Pressure-cooker and resume cooking.
When cooking is done, transfer broccoli to a plate and serve immediately.

Notes

Olive oil & cooking spray: We have found that the olive oil used to coat the broccoli during the seasoning portion is enough to keep the broccoli from sticking to the Pressure-cooker Cook & Crisp Basket. However, if you are worried about food sticking to your air fryer tray or basket, you may choose to lightly spray a non-aerosol cooking spray on your air fryer tray or basket before adding the broccoli. You could use coconut oil, avocado oil, or olive oil spray. For crispier broccoli: after the initial 10 minutes is up, continue to air fry in increments of 1 minute, until the broccoli reaches your desired level of crispness.

Nutrition

Calories: 85 kcal, Carbohydrates: 11 g, Protein: 4 g, Fat: 4 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g, Sodium: 341 mg, Potassium: 488 mg, Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 3 g, Vitamin A: 948 IU, Vitamin C: 136 mg, Calcium: 75 mg, Iron: 1 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.