Air fryer broccoli and cauliflower is tender-crisp and flavorful. Bite-size broccoli pieces and cauliflower are cooked quickly in a small amount of oil for a healthy side dish that can be on your dinner table in just minutes.
If you are new to using an air fryer, air frying vegetables is a great way to get started. They cook fast and taste fantastic.This Buffalo cauliflower bites recipe is our favorite air-fryer cauliflower recipe.
Why You Will Love this Recipe
- Easy! The air fryer is an easy way to cook vegetables.
- It's a healthy recipe with only four ingredients.
- It's a delicious side dish! The air fryer brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetables.
Here Is What You Will Need
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This is an overview of the ingredients and steps to make this recipe, scroll down for a printable recipe card with exact measurements and instructions.
Ingredients
- Fresh Broccoli
- Fresh Cauliflower
- Olive Oil
- Chopped Garlic
Equipment
Here is How to Make Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower
Prepare the Ingredients: Cut the broccoli into small pieces that are approximately 2 inches in size and cut the cauliflower florets into slightly smaller pieces, about 1 to 1 ½ inches in size. Mince the garlic and measure the oil. Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees f.
Step 1. Combine the Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, cauliflower and olive oil.
Step 2. Arrange the Vegetables in the Air Fryer
Place broccoli florets and cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket or air fryer tray.
Step 3. Air Fry the Vegetables
Air fry the broccoli and cauliflower for 8 minutes. Remove the basket or tray, shake it and add the chopped garlic. Cook for 2 minutes longer.
Note: Cook time can vary depending on the type of air fryer that you have. Keep an eye on the vegetables and remove them once they begin to turn golden brown.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Broccoli cooks faster than cauliflower, so it's important that it's larger in size to prevent it from burning.
Olive oil can be replaced with an equal amount of avocado oil, or you can use a few spritzes of olive oil spray.
Fresh garlic can be replaced with ½ to a teaspoon of garlic powder or a mixture of onion powder and garlic powder to taste.
Make Ahead Instructions
This easy side dish can be made ahead of time by cutting the broccoli and cauliflower a few days ahead of time.
Store the uncooked vegetables in an airtight container in the refrigerator until it's time to make this crispy broccoli and cauliflower in the air fryer.
What to Serve Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower With
This recipe tastes great garnished with a sprinkle of black pepper, a splash of lemon juice or lemon zest as a side with grilled chicken, pork, beef or stuffed zucchini with ground beef.
It can also be tossed into a bowl of pasta with pesto sauce , Asian chicken pasta salad or used for meal prep in salads with shredded chicken or served as a topper to baked potatoes with a dollop of sour cream and shredded cheese.
Variations
All Broccoli or All Cauliflower in the Air Fryer. Use all of one of the vegetables instead of using both.
Spicy Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower. Just before serving, toss in red pepper flakes to taste.
Parmesan Air Fryer Cauliflower and Broccoli. Add ⅛ to ¼ cup of shredded parmesan cheese during the last two minutes of cooking.
Pesto Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower. Toss the vegetables in up to a tablespoon of garlic pesto sauce just before serving.
These breaded air fryer cauliflower bites are always a hit too!
How to Store and Use Leftovers
Refrigerate leftover air fryer broccoli and cauliflower in an airtight container for up to four days.
Leftovers taste great all by themself as a snack, in a salad, or mixed into your favorite whole grains or pasta for a healthy lunch.
Top tips
- Save time and buy pre-cut broccoli and cauliflower from your grocery store.
- For best results, keep an eye on the vegetables at the end of the cooking cycle and remove any broccoli with crispy edges and starting to turn brown.
Here's how to Make Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower in the oven
If you don't have an air fryer, you can easily make this recipe in the oven with just a few easy steps.
Arrange the vegetables in an even layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan and bake at 400 degrees F for approximately 20 minutes. Turn the vegetables over after 10 minutes of cooking time.
If you like this recipe, please comment and rate it below!
Have you Tried These Air Fryer Recipes?
- Air Fryer Avocado Fries
- Air Fryer Cornbread with Jalapenos
- Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
- Easy Air Fryer Falafel
- Air Fryer Potato Chips
- Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips
- Air Fryer Cauliflower Bites
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📖 Recipe
Click on serving size to scale this recipe
Ingredients
- 5 ounces of broccoli florets
- 5 ounces of cauliflower florets about a half a head
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: chop the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces about 1 to 1 ½ inches in size. Chop the broccoli into larger pieces that are about 2 inches in size and chop the garlic.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees and set the timer for 10 minutes.
- Place the broccoli, cauliflower and olive oil into a large bowl and use your hands or a wooden spoon to mix the oil into the vegetables until they are coated with the oil.
- Arrange the vegetable pieces onto an air fryer tray or basket, and place them into the preheated air fryer.
- Cook for 8 minutes, shake the basket or tray and add the chopped garlic. At this point you can remove any broccoli pieces that are turning brown.
- Return the vegetables to the air fryer and cook for 2 minutes longer.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
Inger says
This looks so tasty and healthy! And I have both vegetables in my fridge right now!
Radha says
This is a very healthy side! My favorite veggies in my favorite way! Simply amazing!