Nutty parmesan with classic salt and pepper makes for the most amazing air fryer frozen broccoli, crispy and ready to eat in no time!

close up photo of air fried broccoli with Parmesan

Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli

Would you believe that tender broccoli, air fried to crispy perfection, is possible with a package of frozen broccoli? I’m here to tell you that air fryer frozen broccoli is absolutely delicious.

So, grab a few bags of frozen broccoli next time you’re at the store and you won’t have any excuse not to have a terrific side for your dinner even when the refrigerator’s produce drawers are empty.

Frozen Broccoli in the Air Fryer

Bulk vegetables in the freezer really are a lifesaver for making soups and quick meals. I was skeptical to try them in the air fryer, to be honest, I thought I would get a pile of mush. However, this broccoli fried up crispy and delicious.

When the boys are busy with their activities I find myself gravitating to the air fryer for an easy meal for two. Creating crispy delicious broccoli turned out to be so easy – once I mastered not overcrowding the fry basket. We all know I love vegetables so of course I got carried away at first.

I use the COSORI Air Fryer for all of my air fryer recipes. I’m partial to a square basket air fryer as I find it easier to fit more food into the basket. This is a 5.8QT air fryer, one of the largest machines I’ve found that works effectively.

The machine is a bit retro with simple knob controls. It turns out that I really like the basic settings and ability to set the time and temp like a traditional appliance. I’ve used a few different air fryers with pre-programmed settings and I found I was still tweaking the times.

This air fryer is surprisingly easy to clean and the two-part basket locks together (it’s literally impossible for it to detach the way some do) until you open the latch and then push the button to release it. I simply wipe down the baskets with a sudsy dish scrub brush or sponge, rinse and let them air dry on the counter.

How to Air Fry Frozen Broccoli

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the broccoli in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to coat.
Place the broccoli in an even layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your basket you may need to air fry in two batches.
Air fry for 5 minutes. Toss and air fry the broccoli for 6-8 more minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste. Sprinkle with Parmesan, if desired.

How Long to Cook Frozen Broccoli in Air Fryer

Cooking time in an air fryer always depends on the size, quantity, and spacing of your items. Frozen broccoli can be a bit tricky as there is no way to control the size of pieces or cut the frozen broccoli. So just keep checking and adjust as needed.

Smaller-sized broccoli pieces work best, spread into just one layer. Don’t overfill your basket in an inches-thick layer or you won’t get enough airflow. Doing this will give you a cook time of about 11-13 minutes.

Frozen Broccoli Recipes

Air fryer frozen broccoli, while delicious on its own becomes a guilty pleasure when topped with a cheese sauce. Kids and adults alike can not stop eating it!

When baking and in soups frozen and fresh broccoli are a bit more interchangeable. You will just need to keep an eye on your baking times a bit. They will be similar but you want to avoid creating mushy vegetables, so watch closely and reduce the baking times as needed.

Cheesy, savory, and creamy with a toasted, buttery top broccoli gratin is about to become the most requested vegetable by your family.

Vegetable soup with chicken and potatoes is a bowl full of goodness you will savor.

Beef and Broccoli Soup is the perfect, filling wintertime soup deliciously flavored with a combination of soy sauce and oyster sauce. If you love Chinese Beef and Broccoli, you’re likely to really enjoy this soup!

Frozen vegetables are just fine on their own with a little time in the air fryer and light seasoning. Steamer bags are great but the vegetables are just a little more tasty when air fried or roasted. Mixed vegetables, green beans, and cauliflower are perfect choices.