Have you ever tried cooking frozen veggies in the air fryer? I have to say, it is one of the BEST ways to cook frozen broccoli. Not only is it quick and easy, but the air fryer also can give you that beautiful crispy texture on the outside while keeping the inside moist and tender.
So, if you are looking for a healthier way to cook your food, then cooking with an air fryer is the way to go. In this article, I will share how you can perfectly cook frozen broccoli in the air fryer every time.
What You Will Need
This is a 20 minutes recipe, and the required ingredients are easy to be found at home.
- 1 lb. of frozen broccoli florets
- 1 tbsp. avocado oil
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. onion powder
- ¼ tsp. turmeric
- salt and pepper to taste
Do I Need To Thaw Frozen Broccoli?
A big NO! You do not need to thaw the broccoli before cooking. In fact, I would highly recommend that you do not thaw it at all.
If you thaw the broccoli, there is a higher chance that it will turn out soggy and mushy. And we do not want that! We want crisp and delicious air fryer broccoli.
How To Cook Frozen Broccoli In The Air Fryer
Step-By-Step Guide
Here are the simple steps you need to follow to perfectly cook frozen broccoli in the air fryer.
Step 1: Mix And Coat
First, take a large bowl and mix all of the spices. Then, add the frozen broccoli and coat it evenly with the spice mixture. Make sure to evenly coat all of the florets so that they will taste great.
Step 2: Preheat The Air Fryer
Next, you will need to preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This usually takes about 5 minutes. Once it is preheated, you can then add in the coated broccoli.
Step 3: Add To Air Fryer
Then add the coated broccoli florets to the air fryer. Make sure you arrange frozen broccoli into a single layer so that they can cook evenly. Plus, it results in a crunch and crispier texture as well.
Step 4: Cook For 8-12 Minutes
After that, set the timer and cook for 8-12 minutes. Cook until the florets look crispy and golden brown on the outside. Adjust the cooking time depending on how crunchy or soft you want your broccoli to be.
Step 5: Enjoy!
Once it is done, take it out and enjoy! You can serve the air-fried frozen broccoli with your favorite dipping sauce or as a side dish.
Read More: 10 Best Frozen Healthy Pizza Options to satisfy your cravings!
5 Important Tips To Remember
While it is effortless to cook frozen broccoli in the air fryer, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind so that you can get the best results.
1: Don’t Thaw The Frozen Broccoli:
You should never thaw the frozen broccoli when using the air fryer. If you thaw it, there is a higher chance that the broccoli will turn out soggy and mushy.
The best way to cook frozen broccoli in the air fryer is to cook it straight from frozen. This way, you can get that beautiful crispy texture on the outside while keeping the inside moist and tender.
Thawing is only necessary when roasting broccoli in the oven since the oven needs time to heat the broccoli before it can start to cook.
But with the air fryer, you can cook the broccoli immediately without any need for thawing. So save yourself some time, and don’t thaw the broccoli before cooking!
2: Cut The Broccoli Into Equal Sized Pieces:
This is an important tip so that the broccoli can cook evenly in the air fryer. If the pieces are not equal in size, then some of the broccoli will be overcooked while others will be undercooked.
So, take the time to cut the broccoli into equal-sized pieces. This way, you can be sure that all of the broccoli will be cooked perfectly.
3: Spread Broccoli In A Single Layer:
When adding the broccoli to the air fryer, make sure to spread it out in a single layer. If you pile them on top of each other, they will not cook evenly, and some of the broccoli will be overcooked while others will be undercooked.
Additionally, when cooked in a single layer, they will turn out to be crispy and have a better texture. So, it is definitely worth taking the time to arrange them in a single layer before cooking.
4: Spray The Oil:
If you want that crispy texture on the outside, you will need to spray the oil. You can use any oil, but I prefer avocado oil since it has a high smoke point and is also healthy.
Make sure to evenly coat all the broccoli with oil to turn out nice and crispy.
You can also use an oil mister to coat the broccoli with oil evenly. This is a great way to avoid using too much oil and making the broccoli unhealthy.
Plus, it also makes sure that the oil is evenly distributed so that all of the broccoli will be crispy.
5: Shake And Shake And Shake:
After you have added the frozen broccoli to the air fryer basket, make sure to shake it around so that the broccoli is evenly coated with oil.
Also, shake when the broccoli is being fried to be evenly cooked. This is a great way to avoid any overcooked or burnt pieces of broccoli.
So, shake the basket a few times while the broccoli is cooking to get the best results.
FAQs – About Air Fried Frozen Broccoli
How long do you cook frozen broccoli?
It usually takes about 8-12 minutes to cook frozen broccoli in the air fryer. However, the cooking time will depend on how big or small the pieces are and how crispy or soft you want your broccoli to be.
What is the healthiest way to cook frozen broccoli?
Steaming is generally considered the healthiest way to cook broccoli since it doesn’t require any oil or butter. Steaming also preserves the most nutrients in broccoli.
Is frozen broccoli already cooked?
Frozen broccoli is already blanched, which means that it is partially cooked. However, it still needs to be cooked all the way through in order to be safe to eat.
Do you need to wash frozen broccoli?
It is important to wash all produce, even frozen broccoli, before cooking or eating it. This helps ensure that no bacteria on the broccoli could make you sick.
Cook A Healthy Meal In No Time With These Air Fryer Tips!
The air fryer is a great way to cook a healthy meal in no time. By following these tips, you can be sure that your food will turn out crispy and delicious every time. Plus, you won’t have to worry about any unhealthy oils or butter. So, what are you waiting for? Get cooking!
I’m Rachel, and I love food. I especially love writing about food – reviewing different brands and items, and sharing my thoughts on new frozen foods that hit the market.
Food is a huge part of my life, and I love trying new things. That’s why I’m so excited to be working on my blog Pickfrozenfood.com. I will be always innovating and coming out with new review, and I know that I’ll be able to try lots of great food with them.
