This Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli is the best and easiest side dish! Paired with a super fast and easy garlic aioli, this classic green veggie will become your favorite in no time! No air fryer? No worries! I’ve included oven roasting directions as well.
This recipe was made in partnership with Ninja Foodi Deluxe Pressure Cooker! Thank you for continuing to support the brands that make OBB possible!
I think I’ve said many times before here on Our Balanced Bowl that broccoli is my all time favorite vegetable. I just love how versatile it is. You can eat it in a baked quiche, roasted, sauteed, steamed, or raw with ranch dressing!! Heck, you can even throw it on a pizza if you’re feeling crazy!
I wanted to share with y’all a super quick and easy side dish that I love. Y’all know there is always someone who wants something green on the dinner table. A salad, a veggie tray…or for me, this Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli! Especially paired with the most amazing delicious garlic aioli!
I loved how easy the air frying method was. I used the new Ninja Foodi Deluxe Pressure Cooker which also has a crisper (aka air fryer) on top! They generously gifted me this product and I’ve been obsessed with it! You can cook a whole 7 lb chicken in it, y’all! I love the crisper and how amazingly crisp (for lack of better word lol) it makes everything you put in it! It’s like magic!
So what makes this broccoli recipe different? It gets SO super crispy! You slice the broccoli into large chunks – similar to my Roasted Cauliflower Steaks – and then you just place them in the air fryer, do some errands around the house and boom – it’s done!
The broccoli is SO crunchy on top yet the long stems remain juicy and delicious! Then you proceed to smother it with that amazing garlic aioli I was telling you about…
If you didn’t know, aioli is basically a fancy way of saying “mayonnaise sauce” Ha! It is comprised of full fat mayo (a high quality kind is recommended), mixed with finely minced garlic, lemon and salt and pepper to taste. It’s tangy, creamy and the perfect addition to the crunchy broccoli!
So let’s get into how to make this (I also provide an oven roasting method!)
Ingredients You Need for Crispy Air Fried Broccoli with Easy Garlic Aioli:
- broccoli
- olive oil
- salt + pepper
- full fat mayonnaise
- juice of ½ a lemon
- finely minced garlic
- red pepper flakes (for garnish if desired)
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli with Easy Garlic Aioli:
Slice your broccoli into large chunks – I left the stems pretty long to make sure they wouldn’t break apart. Feel free to slice the broccoli into smaller pieces. I preferred the large pieces because they made the dish feel like more of a “centerpiece” veggie side.
In a large bowl, gently drizzle the broccoli with 1 tbsp of olive oil and add salt and pepper to taste. Combine to make sure the broccoli is coated.
Add the broccoli to the air fryer. Place at 390 for 15 minutes – tossing halfway through.
Let it crisp and while it’s doing so, make the aioli! Finely mince 5 cloves of garlic and set them aside.
In a medium size bowl, combine mayonnaise, juice of ½ lemon, the minced garlic. Mix and taste. Add salt and pepper to taste and mix again. If too thick, add a splash of water and mix. Place in the fridge.
By now, your broccoli should be super duper crispy and done! Woo! Now, place on a serving platter or large plate. Generously drizzle the garlic aioli on top. Garnish with red pepper flakes or flaky sea salt. YUM!
Oven Roasting Method:
Don’t have an Ninja Foodi Deluxe yet? No air fryer? No worries! For this method, you’re going to want to grab a large sheet pan. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Similar to last time, add the cut broccoli to a large bowl. Add 2-3 tbsp of olive oil this time, as well as salt and pepper to taste. Mix to make sure the broccoli is evenly coated and then place it on the baking sheet – making sure they aren’t touching each other.
Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway. Garnish with the aioli!
Overall, I have to say, if I had this Crispy Air Fried Broccoli at my dinner table, I would be that person who wanted something green every year. What about you?! Hope you try this and enjoy it, my friends!
Did you enjoy this recipe? Here are some other recipes you might like:
Broccoli Cheddar Quiche with Bacon
Butternut Squash Mashed Potatoes
Sourdough Cranberry Walnut Stuffing
Thank you so much for following along here, friends! Want to see more? Be sure to follow ourbalancedbowl on Instagram and tag me with your photo if you end up making a recipe! You can also post a photo of your recipe to the Our Balanced Bowl Facebook page! Like a recipe that you saw? Follow me on Pinterest here! I always love to see your re-creations! If you do make a recipe, it would make my whole day if you were to rate and comment so I can get your feedback! Lots of love! – Haylie

Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli with Easy Garlic Aioli
This Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli is the best and easiest side dish! Paired with a super fast and easy garlic aioli, this classic green veggie will become your favorite in no time! No air fryer? No worries! I've included oven roasting directions as well.
Ingredients
- 2 large heads of broccoli, diced into large chunks with the stems in tact
- 1-1.5 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper
Garlic Aioli
- 5 cloves finely minced garlic
- 1/2 cup full fat mayonnaise
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cracked pepper
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
Instructions
Air Fryer Method
-
Slice your broccoli into large chunks - I left the stems pretty long to make sure they wouldn’t break apart.
-
In a large bowl, gently drizzle the broccoli with 1-1.5 tbsp of olive oil and add salt and pepper to taste. Combine to make sure the broccoli is coated.
-
Add the broccoli to the air fryer. Place at 390 for 15 minutes - tossing halfway through.
-
Once done, place on a large plate or serving platter and generously drizzle with the garlic aioli and red pepper flakes if desired.
Oven Roasting Method
-
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Grab a large sheet pan.
-
Add the large chunks of broccoli to a bowl and drizzle 2-3 tbsp of olive oil on top as well as salt and pepper. Combine to make sure the broccoli is coated.
-
Place the broccoli on the sheet pan and roast in the pre-heated oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Once done, place on a large plate or serving platter and generously drizzle with the garlic aioli and red pepper flakes if desired.
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Once done, place on a large plate or serving platter and generously drizzle with the garlic aioli and red pepper flakes if desired.
Easy Garlic Aioli
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To a medium size bowl, add the mayonnaise, dijon mustard finely minced garlic, salt, pepper and juice of 1/2 of a lemon. Mix together until combined and there are no lumps. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Drizzle generously on top of the broccoli.
I just picked up some broccoli at the grocery store and I’ve been using my air fryer quite a bit lately, so I’ll have to try this out as a dinner side. Looks so good Haylie! And the aioli would be a hit with my hubby for sure!
Yay!! I hope you enjoy it if you try it out 🙂
Haylie,
Saucy, crispy broccoli is pretty much the most addictive (healthy) food on the planet. Can’t wait to make this!
Right?! So addictive! Love it! Thank you, my friend! 🙂
Haylie, we love broccoli but have never had it crispy. This looks amazing! Who could resist those crispy bits?! And the garlic aioli takes it to a whole new level! So cool that the ninja has the air fryer option. I still haven’t bought an Instant Pot and I had my eye on an air fryer too. So awesome to have them both in one appliance!
Yes!! I love that this appliance is a one-stop shop! I love how it makes the broccoli so crispy!! Thank you, my friend!
Broccoli is a staple in our home. We eat every other day! Love how you crisped up in an air fryer…and no going wrong with a delicious garlic aioli. I wanna put that on all the things! YUM!
I love broccoli too, Dawn! And I could definitely eat the aioli on everything as well!! 😉
Replaced the raw garlic with 1.5 tsp garlic powder and it turned out delicious. Keeping the recipe for the aioli and using it for everything!
Thank you so much, Jay! I agree – I want to put the aioli on everything! 🙂
I used baby carrots instead of broccoli since my husband won’t eat broccoli. He loved it, especially the garlic aioli sauce
Hi Kate, yay! So glad that your husband loved it! Thank you for making the recipe 🙂
I’ve made this many times and it is DELISH. I’ve crisp my broccoli much longer than you do, making sure it’s brown to dark brown on all sides. Also the garlic Aioli sauce is great. I noticed that you don’t mention the mustard as an ingredient anywhere except at the bottom in the recipe itself. I would definitely make that a main ingredient, it’s fantastic in this. Sometimes I’ll add in horseradish and serve over sautéed shredded cabbage ala a modern, faster sauerbraten. Thanks for inspiring me to pull out my air fryer AND eat more broccoli AND for a versatile new sauce!
Hi, Jen!! Thank you SO much for this review! I’m so glad you enjoy it! I also love super duper crispy broccoli 🙂 I will definitely go back and check regarding the mustard…and adding horseradish sounds AMAZING. Thanks again for making this recipe! XO -Haylie