Air Fryer Broccolini

Air Fryer Broccolini is a healthy side dish or appetizer that you can cook with 5 ingredients in just 5-6 minutes. Lightly seasoned with garlic and Parmesan, it comes out perfectly tender-crisp and delish, pairing well with almost any meat such as baked chicken parmesan and easy broiled pork chops.

Are you looking for a healthy, quick, and easy side to serve with your protein of choice?

This Italian-Style broccolini in the air fryer pairs well with almost any meat and you can prepare it in just 10 minutes from beginning to end.

It is keto, gluten-free, and vegetarian. It is also nutritious and full of flavor!

What is Broccolini?

Broccolini is a cross between regular broccoli and Chinese broccoli (also known as Chinese kale because it is a leafy green member of the kale family). Because of it, It presents long stems and tightly bunched small florets.

It is also known as “baby broccoli,” although it is far to be a young version of broccoli.

Unlike regular broccoli which has thick, short stalks and tightly packed crowns, broccolini has small florets, long and slimmer stalks, and a few small leaves.

It was first created in 1993 in Japan.

Difference between Broccolini and Broccoli

Here are the main differences between them:

• Appearance: Broccoli has an edible bright green or purple flowering head with thick, short stalks and nutrient-dense leaves. It is often sold in one large head and can be eaten either raw or cooked. Broccolini is a delicate hybrid between regular broccoli and gai lan (Chinese kale), created by a Japanese company. It sold packed in bunches and is best eaten cooked like our air fryer broccolini.
• Taste: Broccoli has a slightly bittersweet flavor and thick, meaty stems. On the other hand, broccolini is milder and sweeter than broccoli, with long, firm, crunchy stems.
• Nutrition: Broccolini has slightly more phosphorus, manganese, and calcium than broccoli – which are vital for bone health. Plus, it provides almost four times more vitamin A than broccoli.
• Plant species: Broccoli rabe is from the brassica rapa family, making it more closely related to turnips.

Difference between Broccolini and Broccoli Rabe

Broccolini looks similar to broccoli rabe or raab but it is less leafy and belongs to different plant species.

While broccolini and broccoli belong to the brassica oleracea species, which also includes Brussels sprouts and cabbages, broccoli rabe is from the brassica rapa plant species, being more closely related to turnips.

Is Tenderstem^® broccoli the same as broccolini?

Tenderstem^® broccoli is just a Japanese brand for broccolini, very well known in Ireland and the UK.

In some other countries, it's also known as Asparation.

Does broccolini cost more than broccoli?

Because it is a new vegetable and provides less quantity in a stalk, broccolini costs more than broccoli.

If you don't find it, no worries! You can make our air fryer broccolini by replacing it with regular broccoli, Chinese broccoli or kale, broccoli rabe, cauliflower, or asparagus although the flavor won't be exactly the same.

Where and when to buy it

Depending on where you live, it can be hard to find broccolini. Grocery stores with a larger variety of products such as Whole Foods and also Asian markets. 

It can be available all year round but its peak season (fall harvest) is from October to April.

Broccolini in Air Fryer

This air fryer broccolini recipe calls for 5 simple ingredients: seasonings, olive oil, broccolini, garlic, and Parmesan.

It requires simple prep like tossing the vegetable with the other ingredients and cooking in an air fryer for 6 minutes.

It is crisp and has a garlicky flavor. In addition, you can squeeze some lemon juice on top to make it slightly tangy.

It is best served as an appetizer with your favorite sauce or as a side for meats.

Ingredients and Substitutes

To make this air fryer broccolini, you will need:

• Broccolini (You may replace it with regular fresh, raw broccoli florets if you prefer) 
• Garlic cloves
• Parmesan cheese, either grated or shaved (or Parmigiano-Reggiano)
• Olive oil (You may replace it with any vegetable oil with a 400 degrees F smoke point or higher such as refined avocado oil, almond oil, corn oil, canola oil, grapeseed oil, safflower oil, or sunflower oil.

How to make air fryer broccolini

1. Wash the broccolini and slice off the thick bottom end of each stem with a paring knife (not the entire stem). Make sure to pat the broccolini dry very well with a paper towel!
2. Put it in a bowl, add salt, pepper, garlic, and olive oil, tossing to coat them well.
3. Put the broccolini in the air fryer basket, spreading them out in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the basket! (PHOTO ABOVE)
4. Cook at 400 degrees F for about 5 minutes.
5. Sprinkle Parmesan over the broccoli and cook for an extra 1 minute. Do NOT overcook the broccolini; otherwise, it will become tough and dry. (PHOTO BELOW)
6. Serve this air fryer broccolini as soon as cooked with lemon wedges on the side if desired. You can also serve them with some kind of sauce as an appetizer or as a side for meats such as pan-grilled pork chops and air fryer chicken thighs.

Variations

Spice-y it up! Add a good sprinkle of red pepper flakes before serving or drizzle it with some hot sauce.

Add some toasted almond slices right before serving for a crunch.

Expert Tips for making air fryer broccolini recipe

• Make sure the broccolini is dry after rinsing; otherwise, it will steam and get soft instead of air frying and get crisp.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket, or the broccolini won't cook evenly. Remember the air fryer works by circulating hot air around the food!
• Like ovens, air fryers can vary temperature a bit affecting the final cook time of the food and doneness. Be prepared to check the broccolini 2 minutes early so you won't wind up with overcooked veggies.
• Air fryers with smaller baskets or with less wattage may require extra minutes to cook or multiple batches.
• Because oil is added to the recipe, you won't need to grease the basket.
• Preheating the air fryer is not necessary but it will make the broccolini cook faster.

Can I eat the broccolini whole?

Yes! The stalks, leaves, and florets are all edible. No peeling of the stalks is needed either, although I like to cut off the very bottom end of the stems.

Do I need to preheat the air fryer?

No, you don't although it will make the broccolini cook faster.

What to Serve with

After air frying broccolini, you can serve it with:

• As a side: Baked chicken breast, baked chicken thighs, air fryer tilapia, air fryer salmon, barbecue pork chops, German meatloaf, air fryer steak, air fryer lamb chops, etc
• As an appetizer: Any dressing or sauce of choice such as chimichurri, buffalo, ranch, pesto, Pomodoro sauce, and poppyseed dressing.

How to Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat it in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees F for 1-2 minutes to restore its crispy exterior.

I don't recommend freezing it because it will make it mushy after thawing.

Other Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes

• Air fryer asparagus
• Air fryer Brussels sprouts
• Smashed potatoes in air fryer
• Air fryer zucchini
• Air fryer potato wedges

PIN AND ENJOY!