Air Fryer Broccoli Parmesan Recipe

A gorgeous combination of creamy, tangy, and fresh, this air fryer broccoli parmesan is so much quicker to make than in the oven!

Air fryer broccoli parmesan is so much more than a side dish. Combining parmesan with rich, complex balsamic vinegar and fresh and minty thyme, you’ve never had broccoli that tastes as good as this.

I used to make broccoli with parmesan in the oven, but air frying is much better! It is quicker and doesn’t dry out the broccoli as the oven does, so you can enjoy the same slightly crispy texture without losing the delicately sweet and juicy flavor in the middle.

Roasted parmesan broccoli in air fryer takes less than 15 minutes to cook, and the preparation is super simple. Even if you’re new to the air fryer, you’ll find this dish straightforward to make, and you’ll impress your dinner guests, too.

What to season broccoli with

**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**

Thyme (dried): Thyme is earthy, minty, and slightly sweet, complementing the flavors in the broccoli. You could also use rosemary, oregano, or basil here.

Grated parmesan cheese: The creamy, tangy taste of parmesan pairs wonderfully with broccoli! More robust blue cheese, such as stilton, also works well, especially if they are crumbly. If you’re looking for a dairy-free alternative, try nutritional yeast or blended cashew.

Balsamic glaze: If you don’t have any balsamic vinegar, try combining cider vinegar or red wine vinegar with sugar to give you the same sweet and tart flavor.

Tools used to make the recipe.

• Large bowl
• Air fryer

How to cook broccoli with parmesan cheese in an air fryer?

Season the broccoli: In a large bowl, add the broccoli, olive oil, and thyme and toss to coat.

Air fry the fresh broccoli: Add the broccoli to the basket and air fry to 360ºF for 8 minutes shaking the basket halfway through, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and continue to cook for 3- 5 minutes more or until the broccoli is tender and the cheese has melted. 

Serving: Transfer to a serving platter and drizzle with balsamic glaze; serve and enjoy!

Recipe Tips:

• Ensure to coat the broccoli florets well with the oil and the herbs to avoid dryness.
• Shaking the basket after 4 minutes ensures that all the florets are cooked evenly.
• If you love cheese, you are more than welcome to add extra cheese if prefer. 
• You can serve the balsamic vinegar on the side so everyone can drizzle as much or little as they want.
• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 12 months. 
• Add extra cheese while or after reheating to make it cheese again.

How long to roast broccoli and parmesan in the air fryer

You will need to roast parmesan broccoli in the air fryer for 11-13 minutes, 8 minutes before adding the parmesan, and a further 3-5 minutes once you have sprinkled over the cheese. Make sure you shake the air fryer basket halfway through to ensure the broccoli cooks evenly.

The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer model.

What goes well with broccoli parmesan?

• Air fryer bone-in pork chops
• Easy air fryer scallops
• Air fryer baby potatoes
• Air fryer shrimp with garlic lemon butter
• Bone in skin on chicken thighs
• Marinated steak in air fryer

Storing parmesan roasted broccoli

In the fridge: Seal leftover air fryer parmesan broccoli into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. 

In the freezer: Before freezing, separate your leftovers into portions, making it much easier to manage when you defrost them! The best way to do this is to put each portion into a freezer bag. Once frozen, it’s safe to store this broccoli dish indefinitely, but to ensure quality, it’s best to eat it within 12 months.

What kind of cheese can you put on broccoli?

Most types of cheese go well with broccoli, so you can choose based on your preference. For example, broccoli parmesan air fryer is cheesy but also zesty. On the other hand, if you like an intense flavor, blue cheeses like stilton are a great bet! 

Simple cheddar cheese is also delicious with broccoli, mainly if you make a cheese sauce and bake the broccoli in it.

Is roasted broccoli healthy?

Roasted broccoli is an excellent source of nutrients! Broccoli is a great source of fiber, vitamin C, and protein. Provided you don’t use too much oil, it’s also low in fat.

More Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes

• Air Fryer Broccoli Bites
• Butternut Squash in Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Green Beans
• Air Fryer Asparagus
• Whole Cauliflower in Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Eggplant
• Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash 

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