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Air Fryer Broccoli Bites with Lemon and Garlic

Broccoli florets air fried to golden edges and tossed immediately with fresh garlic, lemon zest, and juice for a bright, crisp side in under 15 minutes.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 110
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large head broccoli cut into bite-size florets, dried well
  • 1-2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2-3 garlic cloves minced or grated
  • 1 lemon zested and juiced
  • kosher salt and black pepper
  • red pepper flakes optional
  • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan optional
  • fresh parsley, chives, or dill optional

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • Large bowl

Method
 

  1. Toss the dry florets with the oil, salt, pepper, and pepper flakes.
  2. Preheat to 390 to 400°F. Cook 6 to 9 minutes, shaking halfway, until the edges are golden and the stems tender.
  3. Toss the hot broccoli immediately with the garlic, lemon zest, and a generous squeeze of juice.
  4. Shower with Parmesan and herbs if using.

Notes

Dry the florets well — wet broccoli steams grey instead of browning.
Garlic and lemon go on after, raw and bright — cooking the garlic in the basket burns it.
Stays crisp longer than oven-roasted and reheats well.