This crispy, juicy, perfectly tender Air Fryer Broccolini will be your new go-to side dish! Made with simple wholesome ingredients, this recipe is packed with savory, cheesy flavors that are entirely plant-based and is ready in under 15 minutes.
Add this healthy, quick-fix broccolini air fryer recipe to your dinner rotation. It’s a great side dish to prepare for busy weeknights with just a few minutes of hands-on preparation, then the air fryer takes care of the rest!
The crispy broccolini texture provides a satisfying crunch with each bite, followed by a slightly sweet and earthy tenderness. A savory mix of garlic powder, ground black pepper, and cheesy nutritional yeast turns this simple vegetable into a mouth-watering anytime dish. For more easy side dish recipes, try my Air Fryer Green Beans, Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges, or Flaky Vegan Empanadas.
Ingredients
Broccolini: Also known as baby broccoli, this ingredient is central to this dish. Choose fresh broccolini with a bright green color and compact heads with no evidence of flowering. Or make air fryer baby broccoli if preferred.
Avocado Oil: This oil’s high smoke point helps the air-fried broccolini achieve a crispy texture without burning when cooked. Alternatively, use extra virgin olive oil for a richer flavor.
Nutritional Yeast: This plant-based cheesy seasoning, also called nooch, adds a savory, cheesy flavor to the air fryer broccolini recipe without dairy.
Garlic Powder: Adds an aromatic savory flavor to the broccolini.
Sea Salt: Fine sea salt enhances the overall flavors of the crispy broccolini; season to your preferred taste. Alternatively, use fine Kosher salt.
Black Pepper. Ground black pepper adds a subtle heat and complexity. Use freshly ground black pepper, if available, or pre-ground black pepper for convenience.
How to Cook Broccolini in the Air Fryer
- Prepare broccolini. Add the cleaned and trimmed broccolini to a medium mixing bowl. Drizzle it with olive oil and gently toss it with tongs until evenly coated.
- Season broccolini. Season the broccolini with the nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and sea salt, and gently toss to coat again.
- Distribute in air fryer. Transfer the prepared baby broccoli to the air fryer basket and arrange in an even layer so none of the pieces overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in multiple batches.
- Cook. Air fry the broccolini at 375ºF for 8 minutes, until the tops are crispy and golden and the stalks are fork tender. If you prefer more tender stalks, cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Serve. Remove the broccolini from the air fryer and garnish with black pepper. Serve hot!
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Wash and trim broccolini. Thoroughly rinse the broccolini under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris, then pat them completely dry with a paper towel or clean dish towel. Use a sharp knife to cut off the tough ends of each stem, removing about 1-2 inches.
- Cook in batches. To achieve the crispiest broccolini in the air fryer, lay it in an even layer with a little space between each piece. This allows airflow and helps the broccolini get extra crispy. Cook in several batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Mind the cooking time. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model. Keep a close eye on the broccolini so it doesn’t overcook. It is done when the stems are fork tender and the heads are browned and crisp. Add more cooking time if needed to achieve your desired texture.
- Flip halfway through. Carefully use tongs to flip the broccolini halfway through the cooking time so all sides get nice and crispy.
Recipe Variations
Below are optional variations to switch up this air fry broccolini:
- Extra cheesy: Increase the amount of nutritional yeast or swap for shredded plant-based cheese. Or top it with my Vegan Walnut Parmesan for a cheesy flavor.
- Citrus twist: Add fresh lemon zest with the other seasonings before cooking the broccolini in the air fryer for a bright note that complements the other flavors. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving for extra citrusy goodness.
- Spice it up: Swap the black pepper for red chili pepper flakes to taste for extra heat or smoked paprika to add a smoky flavor to the air fryer baby broccoli.
- Garlic butter: For a richer flavor, swap the avocado oil for melted vegan or regular butter, and substitute the garlic powder for 1-2 fresh minced garlic.
- Herb infusion: Add up to 1 teaspoon of dried herbs like thyme, dill, oregano, or rosemary for a fragrant flavor enhancer. You can also garnish cooked broccolini with fresh herbs.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this broccolini air fryer recipe as a healthy anytime snack or a quick-fix side dish. Serve it on its own or pair it with some of our favorite main dish recipes below for a full-spread nutritious meal:
Storage Directions
This broccolini recipe air fryer dish is best served right away, but you can also store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It does not freeze well. Reheat the broccolini the air fryer at 350ºF for 2-3 minutes until warm and re-crisped.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe recommends cooking the broccolini in the air fryer for about 8 minutes, but this cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model or the size of the stalks. Keep an eye on the broccolini during the cooking process and adjust accordingly. You’ll know it’s done when you can easily pierce the stalks with a fork and the heads are browned and crispy.
Baby broccoli and broccolini are two names for the same vegetable, so they can be used interchangeably.
Absolutely! If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the seasoned broccolini in the oven. Spread it in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking dish and cook in the oven at 400ºF for 15-20 minutes until crispy and fork tender. For an extra crispy finish, cook on broil for the last minute of cooking time.
More Vegan Side Dish Recipes
Recipe Card
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Add the broccolini to a medium mixing bowl. Drizzle it with the oil and gently toss with tongs to coat. Season the broccoli with the nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and sea salt, and gently toss to coat again.
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Transfer the broccolini to an air fryer and arrange in an even layer without overlapping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to cook the broccolini in two batches.
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Air fry the broccolini at 375° for 8 minutes, or until the tops are crispy and golden and the stalks are fork tender. Cook for 2 minutes longer if you prefer more tender stalks.
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Remove from the air fryer and garnish with black pepper. Serve hot.
This broccolini recipe air fryer dish is best served right away, but you can also store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350ºF for 2-3 minutes until warm and re-crisped.
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Wash and trim broccolini. Thoroughly rinse the broccolini under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris, then pat them completely dry with a paper towel or clean dish towel. Use a sharp knife to cut off the tough ends of each stem, removing about 1-2 inches.
- Cook in batches. To achieve the crispiest broccolini in the air fryer, lay it in an even layer with a little space between each piece. This allows airflow and helps the broccolini get extra crispy. Cook in several batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Mind the cooking time. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model. Keep a close eye on the broccolini so it doesn’t overcook. It is done when the stems are fork tender and the heads are browned and crisp. Add more cooking time if needed to achieve your desired texture.
- Flip halfway through. Carefully use tongs to flip the broccolini halfway through the cooking time so all sides get nice and crispy.