Easy Air Fryer Broccolini Recipe with Lemon & Parmesan
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Done in less than 10 minutes, this easy air fryer broccolini recipe is the perfect nutritious side dish for busy weeknights!
Why you’ll love this easy air fryer broccolini recipe:
What is broccolini?
Did you know broccolini isn’t just baby broccoli? It’s actually a hybrid plant, a cross-breed between traditional broccolini and Chinese broccoli. Because of this, it has longer, thin stalks that tender all the way through with small, delicate florets. Regular broccoli has a thick stem and much larger florets.
Both broccolini and traditional broccoli have a mild flavor, so if you love broccoli, you’ll love this cruciferous vegetable, too!
My favorite thing about broccolini is that it’s got a milder flavor than rapini, and it has a crispy texture that pairs really well with noodle dishes (pad see ew, anyone?) or instead of asparagus or green beans. I’ve been picking broccolini on local farms for years, and it’s a great addition to any table!
Although it looks like broccoli rabe or even rapini, it’s not. Broccoli rabe and rapini are actually from a completely different family!
Equipment
To make this air fryer broccolini with parmesan, you really only need a couple of tools you probably already have on hand.
- air fryer
- medium-sized bowl
- tongs
- serving dish
Ingredients
- Fresh broccolini: Head to your local farmers market to find fresh broccolini. Wash and dry it before air frying.
- Olive oil: You need a little oil to attach the seasonings to the broccolini stalks. You can also use an olive oil spray bottle.
- Kosher salt: Stick with large flake kosher salt or sea salt to avoid making this dish too salty.
- Black pepper: Broccolini tastes amazing with pepper! I like to add just a sprinkle, but you can add more if you like.
- Garlic powder: Add a little garlic flavor with garlic powder or substitute minced fresh garlic.
- Lemon juice: Serve this perfect side dish with lemon wedges for a nice bright flavor.
- Parmesan cheese: For the finishing touch, sprinkle shaved parmesan over your dish.
How to Make Broccolini in the Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Toss your broccolini in the olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
- Distribute the seasoned broccolini in your air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry for 5-7 minutes or until slightly tender. Thicker stalks will need longer.
- Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan.
Storing Air Fryer Broccolini
Store leftover airfryer broccolini in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, microwave for 1-2 minutes or pop in the air fryer at 350 for another 3-4 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
This is really the best broccolini recipe because it’s so fast, flavorful, and versatile! It tastes just as great with a steak as it does with pasta dishes. Try pairing your broccolini with these recipes or your favorite main dish!
- Iberico secreto recipe
- Grilled steak
- Lasagna
- Spaghetti
- Air fryer salmon
- Pad see ew
- Teriyaki beef or chicken
- Marinated beef bowls
Basically, you can use broccolini anytime you want to use broccoli, and it makes a really nice alternative to green beans, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus.
Tips & Variations
- Wash and dry your broccolini completely before cooking. Use a kitchen towel or paper towels.
- If your broccolini has thick stalks, it will need to cook longer. Remove the thinner stalks while you wait.
- For a little heat, sprinkle some red chili flakes over the broccolini before air frying.
- You can use this same method to make air fryer broccoli or air fryer baby broccolii!
- Instead of air frying, feel free to roast your broccolini in the oven, steam it in a saucepan, or grill it!
- Take this recipe to the next level by adding some lemon zest at the end. So good!
FAQs
Yes! In fact, air frying broccolini helps cook the thin stalks quickly while preserving the bright green color and fresh flavor. You only need to air fry it for about 5-6 minutes at 400, so it’s really fast!
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F, then air fry your broccolini for 5-7 minutes.
Depending on how fresh your broccolini is, you may or may not need to trim it. Freshly picked broccolini doesn’t need to be trimmed. If you noticed the ends of your broccolini looking a little dry, it’s worth trimming off the ends to get the best texture.
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed this air fryer broccolini recipe, you’ll enjoy these other delicious recipes!
Air Fryer Broccolini Recipe
Equipment
- medium-sized bowl
- tongs
Ingredients
- 1 bunch fresh broccolini, rinsed and dried
- 1/2 TBS olive oil, or more as needed
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1 TBS shredded parmesan
- 1/2 TBS lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Toss your broccolini in the olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
- Distribute the seasoned broccolini in your air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry for 5-7 minutes or until slightly tender. Thicker stalks will need longer.
- Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan.
Notes
- Wash and dry your broccolini completely before cooking. Use a kitchen towel or paper towels.
- If your broccolini has thick stalks, it will need to cook longer. Remove the thinner stalks while you wait.
- For a little heat, sprinkle some red chili flakes over the broccolini before air frying.
- You can use this same method to make air fryer broccolini!
- Instead of air frying, feel free to roast your broccolini in the oven, steam it in a saucepan, or grill it!
- Take this recipe to the next level by adding some lemon zest at the end. So good!
Nutrition
