Air Fryer Broccolini

Air fryer broccolini is a quick vegetable side when you want something green on the plate without much work.

The stems turn tender, the little florets get lightly browned at the tips, and the lemon pepper seasoning keeps the flavor simple. I like this with chicken, steak, salmon, turkey, or any dinner that needs an easy side in under 10 minutes.

The biggest thing I watch is the stem size. Broccolini cooks faster than regular broccoli, so I trim the woody ends and split any thick stems so everything finishes at the same time.

Quick Success Tips

• Trim the woody ends. The bottom of the stems can be tough.
• Split thick stems. Stems wider than ½ inch cook better when sliced lengthwise.
• Dry the broccolini well. Wet broccolini tends to steam instead of brown.
• Use a light oil coating. Too much oil can make the broccolini heavy.
• Season evenly. Lemon pepper seasoning can be salty, so taste before adding extra salt.
• Do not crowd the basket. The florets brown better when the hot air can move around them.
• Shake during cooking. This helps the stems and tips cook more evenly.
• Check near the end. Broccolini cooks quickly and the tips can darken fast.

Why This Recipe Works

Broccolini is thinner than regular broccoli, so it cooks quickly in the air fryer.

I trim the woody ends and split thicker stems because the stems need to turn tender before the little florets get too dark. A light coating of olive oil helps the broccolini brown, and lemon pepper seasoning adds flavor without needing a long ingredient list.

The best texture is tender-crisp: the stems should be easy to pierce with a fork, and the tips should look lightly browned.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• It cooks in 8-10 minutes.
• You only need a few ingredients.
• The stems turn tender while the tips get lightly crisp.
• Lemon pepper seasoning keeps the flavor simple.
• It works with chicken, steak, seafood, turkey, pork, or vegetarian meals.
• It is an easy way to add a green vegetable to dinner.

Ingredients you'll need to make roasted broccolini

**Find the full list of ingredients and exact measurements in the recipe card below.**

• Broccolini: Trim the woody ends before cooking. Split any thick stems lengthwise so they cook at the same pace as the thinner pieces.
• Olive oil: Helps the seasoning stick and helps the tips brown in the air fryer.
• Lemon pepper seasoning: Adds bright flavor with peppery seasoning in one step. Some blends are salty, so check the label before adding extra salt.
• Lemon zest or black pepper: Use these when you do not have lemon pepper seasoning.

How to cook broccolini in air fryer

• Rinse the broccolini, trim the woody ends, and dry it well.
• Split any thick stems lengthwise so the pieces cook more evenly.
• Add the broccolini to a medium bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with lemon pepper seasoning.
• Toss until the broccolini is lightly and evenly coated.

• Arrange the broccolini in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
• Air fry at 330°F for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally, until the stems are tender-crisp and the tips are lightly browned.
• Serve warm. Enjoy!

Helpful Tips

• Trim the bottom ¼ inch from the stems because that part can be woody.
• Split thick stems lengthwise so they cook more evenly.
• Dry the broccolini after rinsing so it roasts instead of steams.
• Use just enough oil to coat the broccolini lightly.
• Spread the broccolini out as much as your air fryer basket allows.
• Shake the basket once or twice during cooking.
• Pull the broccolini when the stems are tender-crisp.
• Serve right away for the best texture.

How Long to Cook Broccolini in the Air Fryer

Broccolini usually takes 8-10 minutes at 330°F in the air fryer.

The stems should be tender-crisp, and the tips should look lightly browned. Start checking near the end because broccolini cooks faster than regular broccoli.

Thicker stems may need an extra minute or two, especially when they are not split lengthwise.

Make It a Meal

Chicken dinner: Serve with Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Breast, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, or Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs.

Steak dinner: Pair with Air Fryer New York Strip Steak, Air Fryer T-Bone Steak, Air Fryer Ribeye Steak, or Air Fryer Steak Bites.

Seafood dinner: Add it to a plate with Air Fryer Salmon Steak, Air Fryer Stuffed Salmon, Air Fryer Blackened Salmon, Air Fryer Shrimp With Shells, or Air Fryer Scallops.

Turkey or holiday dinner: Serve with Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin, Air Fryer Turkey Thighs, Air Fryer Cornish Hen, Air Fryer Baby Potatoes, or Air Fryer Christmas Dinner for 2-4.

Simple vegetarian plate: Pair with Air Fryer Baby Potatoes, Air Fryer Acorn Squash, Air Fryer Garlic Green Beans, or a simple salad.

How to Store and Reheat Broccolini

Store leftover broccolini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Reheat in the air fryer at 330°F for 3-4 minutes, or just until warm. Broccolini is thin, so it can dry out when reheated too long.

You can freeze cooked broccolini, but the texture will be softer after thawing and reheating. I prefer freezing only when I plan to use it in bowls, pasta, soups, or meal-prep containers where a softer texture is okay.

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