Easy Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli Recipe - Build Your Bite (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook frozen broccoli so it's not rubbery? ›

Always cook broccoli in a single, even layer inside the air fryer basket; cook in batches, if needed. If broccoli is over-crowded, it won't roast evenly. Add just a bit (one tablespoon) of water to the bottom of the air fryer; this helps keep air fryer broccoli tender and prevents burning.

Spritz the air fryer basket with oil spray. Add the frozen vegetables to the basket and drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with the seasoning and toss to distribute the seasoning. Air fry at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking, until vegetables are as roasted and browned as you'd like.

How do I keep broccoli from burning in my air fryer? If you have trouble with things burning in your air fryer, put a tablespoon of water into the air fryer basket as it can help the broccoli keep some moisture.

The bottom line

An air fryer is a healthier option than deep frying foods and can be an inventive way to fry not only meats and potatoes but other nutritious foods such as broccoli, yams, tofu, or eggs.

Tips for Roasting Vegetables in the Air Fryer

Don't overcrowd your insert, or else the air fried veggies will turn out mushy. Go light on the oil. Too much, and the vegetables will become oversaturated and not crisp up.

Often, frozen veggies lose their nutrients not because they're frozen, but because they're pre-cooked. For example, frozen broccoli don't contain their precious cancer-fighting antioxidants due to the blanching process which precedes freezing.

Stir-frying and stir-frying/boiling, the two most popular methods for most homemade dishes in China, cause great losses of chlorophyll, soluble protein, soluble sugar, vitamin C, and glucosinolates, but the steaming method appears the best in retention of the nutrients in cooking broccoli.

Frozen broccoli is typically picked and frozen at peak freshness, so it will maintain its nutritional value. Occasionally, frozen broccoli can be more nutritious than fresh broccoli because the blanching process it goes through prior to being frozen can kill bacteria, preserve nutritional value, and prevent spoiling.

Can you cook straight from frozen in air fryer? ›

Can I use my air fryer for frozen food? The answer to this question is, yes – anything is possible with these magical machines. We all know the hassle of waiting for something to defrost before you can cook it, but with an air fryer, you can simply pop the item inside, in its frozen state, and start cooking.

The cook times for frozen food in an air fryer can vary depending on the type of food and the size of the air fryer. As a general rule, frozen foods should be cooked in an air fryer for 5-15 minutes longer than the recommended specific cook times for fresh or thawed food.

Air Fry Your Frozen Veggies

The general rule, according to Cook Smarts, is that any fresh vegetable you can cook in the air fryer, you can also cook from frozen. But you need to add a few minutes to the cooking time to account for the time they'll take to thaw.

Because of how the microwave warms and steams the broccoli, cooked frozen broccoli may become mushy. When frozen broccoli is microwaved, the ice crystals inside the vegetable quickly melt and turn to steam. This steam can build up inside the florets and eventually cause them to burst, releasing their moisture.

The best broccoli has tender florets and firm, slightly crunchy stalks. But if you store it incorrectly, those florets can become shriveled, and the stalks can get soft and rubbery. Broccoli lasts the longest stored in the fridge, so skip the counter or pantry.

To revive root vegetables such as beets, carrots, potatoes, and radishes, or limp celery, asparagus or broccoli, simply trim the ends and soak the veggies in a glass bowl or mason jar of ice cold water for a few hours or overnight and the veggies will rehydrate and be crisp again.

STEAM ON THE STOVETOP

Once the water has come to a boil, place a steaming basket or sieve over the water – making sure that the basket is above the boiling water. If necessary, remove a bit of the water. Once your basket or sieve is in place, add your frozen vegetables and then cover the pot or pan with a lid.