Crispy Air Fryer Broccolini with Garlic

This quick and easy Air Fryer Broccolini recipe is a simple side dish you can make any day of the week. It turns crisp, garlicky, and delicious in under 15 minutes.

Other air fryer recipes you’ll love: Air Fryer Roasted Garlic | Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Oi gente!

This air fryer broccolini is one of those easy vegetable side dishes that feels special without requiring much work. It is fast, flavorful, and made with a short list of everyday ingredients. If you love crisp vegetables with tender stems, lightly caramelized edges, and plenty of garlic, this recipe is a great one to keep in your weekly rotation.

Broccolini cooks beautifully in the air fryer because the hot circulating air helps the florets crisp while keeping the stems pleasantly tender. The olive oil helps everything roast evenly, while the soy sauce adds savory depth and encourages delicious browning. Brazilian sofrito, or minced garlic, brings the bold garlicky flavor that makes this simple dish so satisfying.

This crispy air fryer broccolini pairs well with almost any main dish. Serve it with steak, chicken, salmon, mashed potatoes, mashed yuca, or plantains. It is also a great option when you need a quick vegetable side for dinner but do not want to turn on the oven.

For easy variations, finish the broccolini with a squeeze of lime juice, a little lime zest, or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese as soon as it comes out of the air fryer. If you like sweet and spicy flavors, add a small drizzle of honey and a pinch of cayenne. These additions are optional, but they make the recipe even more versatile and can turn it into a fun appetizer or a flavorful side dish for a casual meal.

I hope you enjoy this easy air fryer broccolini recipe as much as I do. It is simple, quick, and full of flavor.

Beijinhos xx

Love broccolini? Try this grilled broccolini recipe!

Ingredients & tools:

• Broccolini — similar to broccoli, but with smaller florets and longer, thinner stems. It is also more tender than regular broccoli.
• Brazilian sofrito — use Brazilian sofrito or minced garlic for bold flavor.
• Olive oil — helps the broccolini crisp and roast evenly in the air fryer.
• Soy sauce — adds savory flavor and helps with caramelization. Use low-sodium soy sauce or tamari if needed.
• Salt and pepper — season to taste. Freshly ground black pepper works especially well.
• Cayenne pepper — optional, but it adds a pleasant touch of heat.

Recommended Equipment:

Air Fryer

Mixing Bowl

Whisk

How to make Broccolini in the Air Fryer

Trim the broccolini. Cut the broccolini just enough to separate the stems and make the pieces similar in size and thickness. This helps them cook evenly. Keep the leaves attached if possible because they turn wonderfully crisp in the air fryer.

Place the trimmed broccolini in a large bowl or a casserole dish so you have enough room to coat it well with the seasoning mixture.

Mix the seasoning. In a small bowl, combine the Brazilian sofrito or minced garlic with olive oil, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and cayenne if you are using it. Whisk until everything is well combined.

Coat the broccolini. Pour the seasoning mixture over the broccolini and massage it into the florets, stems, and leaves. The garlic may not cling perfectly to the stems, so focus on working as much of it as possible into the florets. This gives the finished broccolini great texture and flavor.

Preheat and arrange. Preheat the air fryer, then place the broccolini in the basket, tray, or drawer in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the air fryer. The broccolini needs space for the hot air to circulate, otherwise it may steam instead of crisp.

If needed, cook the broccolini in batches. It is better to make two quick batches than to crowd everything into one layer and lose that crisp texture. Try to group pieces of similar size together for even cooking. If smaller pieces cook faster, remove them and return the larger pieces to the air fryer for a little longer.

Air fry for 5 to 6 minutes. Cook until the broccolini is crisp and lightly browned. Air fryers can vary, so keep an eye on it near the end of the cooking time to prevent burning.

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat them in the air fryer until warmed through and crisp again.

Serve air fried broccolini with…

• Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Mashed Yuca
• Fried Sweet Plantains
• Pan Seared Chicken Breasts
• Baked Chicken Legs Recipe
• Steak and Onions (Bife Acebolado)
• Ribeye Steak Marinade
• Baked Lime Salmon
• Chimichurri Salmon

Other air fryer recipes:

• Air Fryer Butternut Squash
• Air Fryer Roasted Garlic