This easy air fryer broccoli recipe with parmesan makes a quick and flavorful side dish that's crispy, cheesy, and well-seasoned. The tender florets coated in olive oil, garlic, and cheese come out golden and irresistible every time.

A white plate with roasted broccoli topped with shredded cheese, a fork, and another similar plate and a bowl with cheese in the background.

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I've always loved finding ways to make veggies more exciting. That's why making broccoli in the air fryer quickly became one of my favorite side dishes. I used to roast broccoli all the time, but the air fryer gives it that same golden edge and tender bite much faster.

I make this small batch recipe on busy weeknights or whenever I need something quick to serve with my favorite grilled chicken or baked fish. It's also a great way to use up a bag of broccoli sitting in the fridge. Once you try crispy air fryer broccoli, you'll see just how easy it is to turn a simple vegetable into something special.

Ingredients

A bowl of broccoli florets, a glass of clear liquid, a plate with a block of cheese, a small dish of sliced garlic, and a dish of salt and pepper on a white surface.

Broccoli florets (tops from a head of broccoli)
Parmesan cheese
Fresh garlic (¾ teaspoon garlic powder can be used if not available)
Salt and pepper
Smoked paprika
Olive oil

Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.

Instructions

Broccoli florets being blanched in boiling water.

Place fresh broccoli in a pot of boiling water for 2 minutes. Immediately strain with a slotted spoon. Transfer to a bowl of ice-cold water. Let sit for 2 minutes.

A small white dish containing a spice mix is held above a bowl of chopped green lettuce with a fork inside.

Dry florets thoroughly. Place in a bowl, drizzle with oil, and sprinkle the salt mixture. Combine salt, ground black pepper, and smoked paprika.

A white bowl filled with steamed broccoli florets topped with black pepper, with a spoon inside. A small dish of seasoning and a striped towel are in the background.

Toss until the florets are well-coated with the seasonings.

Preheat your air fryer appliance

Broccoli florets and garlic cloves roasted on a black grill pan, with a pink striped cloth and small bowl in the background.

Place in single layer in air fryer basket or tray and add garlic. Cook the broccoli until fork-tender, crisp, and turning golden brown.

Roasted broccoli florets and garlic cloves on a black grill pan, sprinkled with grated cheese, with a striped towel and a small bowl in the background.

Add freshly grated cheese and continue to air fry for 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.

A white plate with roasted broccoli florets topped with shredded cheese, set on a white surface with a pink striped cloth in the background.

Immediately transfer to a serving plate and add more grated cheese.

Tips

Top tip: Use smaller florets with flat surfaces when making air fryer broccoli. Pieces with more cut sides brown better in the circulation hot air. If some florets are very round, slice them in half so more surface area can caramelize.

Grate the Parmesan finely instead of using larger shreds. Finely grated Parmesan melts faster and forms a thin savory crust on the broccoli instead of clumping or falling off.
Shake or turn the broccoli once during cooking. Even though the cook time is short, a quick shake halfway through helps prevent one side from browning too much while the other stays pale.
Frozen broccoli can be used, but skip the blanching step. Thaw it first and pat it very dry to remove excess moisture. Then season and air fry the same way, though it may need 1 to 2 extra minutes to crisp.

Two white plates with roasted broccoli topped with shredded cheese on a white surface, next to a pink striped cloth, forks, and a small dish of cheese slices.

Variations

Although this simple recipe with shredded Parmesan cheese is one of my favorite air fryer recipes, I sometimes vary the flavor with these eay modifications.

Lemon garlic

After the broccoli finishes cooking and the Parmesan melts, toss it with 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice and a little lemon zest.

For extra texture that works well in the air fryer, mix 1 tablespoon panko breadcrumbs with the Parmesan before adding it for the last 2 minutes of cooking. The circulating heat toasts the crumbs quickly and gives the broccoli a light crispy topping without needing a lot of oil.

Asian-inspired

Replace half the salt with 1 teaspoon soy sauce and toss it with the broccoli along with the olive oil before cooking. During the last 2 minutes when you add the Parmesan, sprinkle 1 teaspoon sesame seeds over the florets.

A close-up of a fork holding a piece of roasted broccoli with grated cheese, with more broccoli and cheese on a plate below. A pink striped cloth is in the background.

Storage

Store any leftover air fried broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To keep it from getting soggy, let it cool completely before sealing.

When you're ready to reheat, pop the broccoli back into the air fryer at 350°F for about 3 to 4 minutes until warm and crisp again. You can also reheat it in the oven for a few minutes, but avoid the microwave if possible, as it can make the broccoli soft instead of crunchy.