The search for the quickest-ever easy side dish comes to an end with this crispy soy & sesame air fryer frozen broccoli - this may even be some of the best air fryer broccoli you've tried! No need to thaw the broccoli out of your freezer to get a healthy side dish on your table, in only 15 minutes!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Minimal ingredients: The ingredient list for this air fryer broccoli recipe is short - 4 simple ingredients to be exact. This makes this recipe perfect for weeknights when you are in a pinch.
- Great texture: The hot air from the air fryer gives broccoli florets a crispy, almost charred texture. The crispiness also gives the broccoli a toasty, nutty flavor.
- Easily customizable: This recipe goes in the Asian-inspired direction, but this easy air fryer broccoli is customizable with all of your favorite spices and flavors. You can also make slow cooker broccoli instead!
- Quick side dish: The cooking process of the high heat in the air fryer makes this a great addition to an easy weeknight meal. The cook time is short, but the result is perfectly crispy air fryer broccoli that has a tender texture on the inside with a crispy exterior. You get all the health benefits of other broccoli recipes in a few short minutes!
Ingredient Notes
Get Your Pantry Ready to Cook!
For more detailed information on many of the ingredients used in this recipe, check out this guide to 10 pantry staple ingredients in Chinese cooking!
- Frozen broccoli: You can use any brand of frozen broccoli that you have on hand or find at your grocery store. Be sure to buy broccoli florets and not the riced or crumbled broccoli that is stocked nearby. Frozen broccoli also gets this side dish on your table in a fraction of the time of fresh broccoli, as you do not need to prep the florets.
- Light soy sauce: Light soy sauce is the typical soy sauce that you find in restaurants or on the grocery store shelf. If the bottle does not specifically say dark soy sauce, you are likely purchasing light soy. Dark soy sauce is used more for added color and rich soy flavor.
- Granulated garlic: Granulated garlic is made of larger granules than standard garlic powder. This adds a deep garlic flavor without worrying about burning fresh garlic in the air fryer.
A full list of ingredients with measurements is located on the recipe card, below.
Substitutions
- Frozen broccoli: Fresh broccoli florets or broccoli crowns will work in this recipe. You may need to lower the cooking time as there is no defrosting needed.
- Granulated garlic: Fresh garlic or garlic powder are fine substitutes for granulated garlic. If using fresh garlic, pay attention to make sure the garlic does not burn and turn bitter in the air fryer.
- Light soy sauce: Liquid aminos, coconut aminos, or tamari all work in place of soy sauce.
- Olive oil: Any of your favorite cooking oils can work in this recipe, such as avocado oil or peanut oil.
Variations
- Spicy: Air fry the broccoli with a pinch of red pepper flakes, or finish the crispy broccoli with chili oil or chili-garlic schezwan sauce for a hint of heat.
- Oven-roasted: If you do not have an air fryer, this broccoli can come together in the oven too. Preheat the oven to 400°F with a sheet tray inside. Spread the broccoli out on the heated sheet tray, and bake until crisp. You can also use Blanched Broccoli and then toss in the same seasonings.
- Extra umami: Finish the crispy broccoli with a couple of tablespoons of parmesan cheese for some extra umami flavor and Asian-inspired parmesan broccoli.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Work Before Cooking
Collecting all ingredients: This will make cooking so much easier. Gather all the spices you will need, and keep them nearby.
Preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer basket to 400°F.
- Add the soy sauce, sesame oil, granulated garlic, and salt to a large bowl. Whisk together until combined.
- Toss the frozen broccoli in the mixing bowl with the soy sauce mixture. Ensure that each piece of broccoli is seasoned with the soy sauce seasoning. [photo 1]
- Transfer the seasoned broccoli to the preheated air fryer basket, drizzle with a little oil, and air fry for 12-15 minutes until the broccoli has crispy edges. [photo 2]
- Serve the crisped broccoli with white sesame seeds and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for some extra brightness.
Expert Tips
Do not thaw broccoli: If you thaw the broccoli before air frying, you will find that the broccoli may become soggy and less crisp. From freezer to air fryer is the best method for best results. The great thing is that this is part of what makes this such an easy recipe, too.
Shake regularly: While the broccoli roasts, be sure to give your air fryer basket a shake regularly. This will give the broccoli florets an even char.
Monitor your air fryer: Broccoli can char quickly. As each air fryer works slightly differently, be sure to keep a close eye on your broccoli as it roasts after around 8-10 minutes, to avoid burning it.
Do not overcrowd: The best way to air fry broccoli is to arrange the broccoli in one single layer in the air fryer, without overcrowding the basket. This will keep the florets crisp instead of causing the broccoli to steam.
Make Ahead & Storage
- This broccoli recipe is so simple and quick to make. I recommend making it fresh before you are ready to eat.
- If you have leftover roasted broccoli, allow it to cool to room temperature. Store broccoli in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for 2-3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or the oven until the broccoli is heated through and regained some texture.
Serving Suggestions
- Main dishes: Serve this air-fried broccoli as a side to your favorite Asian-inspired mains, like pineapple chicken teriyaki skewers, homemade hibachi steak, black pepper chicken, or schezwan chicken. For a lighter meal, try this air fryer broccoli with szechuan chicken lettuce wraps.
- Side dishes: Pair this roasted soy broccoli with other side dishes like plain jasmine rice, sheet pan pineapple fried rice, and Chinese garlic green beans.
Recipe FAQs
If your broccoli is not getting crispy there are two likely reasons. The heat of your air fryer may be too low, or the air fryer basket may be overcrowded. If the broccoli is piled high, the moisture will steam the broccoli instead of crisping it.
If you are using a larger batch of broccoli you should double the quantity of the soy seasoning sauce. You can also top the cooked broccoli with a pinch of kosher salt to bring the flavors out.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Crispy Soy & Sesame Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
Equipment
Ingredients
- 500 g Frozen broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon Light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon Granulated garlic
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- ½ tablespoon Kosher salt - or to taste
- 1 teaspoon White sesame seeds - to serve
Instructions
- Add the soy sauce, sesame oil, granulated garlic, and salt to a large bowl. Whisk together until combined.1 tablespoon Light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Sesame oil, 1 tablespoon Granulated garlic, 2 tablespoon Olive oil, ½ tablespoon Kosher salt
- Toss the frozen broccoli in the mixing bowl with the soy sauce mixture. Ensure that each piece of broccoli is seasoned with the soy sauce seasoning.500 g Frozen broccoli florets
- Transfer the seasoned broccoli to the preheated air fryer basket, drizzle with a little oil, and air fry for 12-15 minutes until the broccoli has crispy edges.
- Serve the crisped broccoli with white sesame seeds and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for some extra brightness.
✱Recipe Notes
- Do not thaw broccoli: If you thaw the broccoli before air frying, you will find that the broccoli may become soggy and less crisp due to the extra moisture. From freezer to air fryer is the best method for best results. The great thing is that this is part of what makes this such an easy recipe, too.
- Shake regularly: While the broccoli roasts, be sure to give your air fryer basket a shake regularly. This will give the broccoli florets an even char.
- Monitor your air fryer: Broccoli can char quickly. As each air fryer works slightly differently, be sure to keep a close eye on your broccoli as it roasts after around 8-10 minutes, to avoid burning it.
- Do not overcrowd: The best way to air fry broccoli is to arrange the broccoli in one single layer in the air fryer, without overcrowding the basket. This will keep the florets crisp instead of causing the broccoli to steam.
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