Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower

This air fryer broccoli and cauliflower recipe is perfect for when you don't want to heat up the house by turning on the oven. The broccoli is the only thing that needs a jumpstart in the cooking process. The cauliflower does just fine without it. Garnish with a squeeze of lemon or Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Course lunch/dinner

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6 people

Calories 386 kcal

Equipment

1 Air Fryer
1 Microwave-Safe Bowl For pre-cooking broccoli and mixing ingredients
1 Tongs or Spatula For tossing vegetables
1 Measuring Spoons For accurate seasoning

Ingredients

Main

3 cups broccoli florets
3 cups cauliflower florets
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon paprika
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Place broccoli florets in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Cook in the microwave at full power for 3 minutes; drain any accumulated liquid.
Add cauliflower, olive oil, garlic powder, sea salt, paprika, and black pepper to the bowl with broccoli; mix well to combine. Pour mixture into the air fryer basket.
Cook in the preheated air fryer for 12 minutes, tossing vegetables halfway through cooking time for even browning.

Notes

To achieve perfectly roasted vegetables, ensure florets are roughly uniform in size. The pre-cook for broccoli is essential to match its cooking time with the faster-tenderizing cauliflower, preventing some florets from burning while others remain undercooked. Do not overcrowd your air fryer basket; if necessary, cook in two batches to allow for proper airflow and crisping. Overcrowding will steam the vegetables rather than roast them. For an elevated finish, a final squeeze of fresh lemon juice will brighten the flavors, and a sprinkle of smoked paprika or a dash of chili flakes can add depth or a subtle kick.