For a side dish with so much flavor, air fryer broccolini with lemon and parmesan will blow your mind. Crisp stalks of tenderstem broccoli come out slightly charred and yummy. This broccolini is perfectly seasoned and finished with fresh lemon that really smacks your taste buds.
Why this Italian Broccoli Recipe is Amazing: Air frying is one of the best ways to elevate ordinary vegetables into something extraordinary. Once you try this recipe you will want to air fry every fresh vegetable and I don't blame you.
What I love about this recipe is that it was inspired by the tasty broccolini served in many Italian restaurants. You can find crisp, fresh, & flavorful broccolini on many menus in Italy under the contorni section.
This is also a healthy way to cook broccolini but no one needs to know this yummy recipe is also good for you. It is a lovely side to serve with your favorite Italian recipes. I love it with my Low-Carb Keto Lasagna or Lobster Ravioli.
Ingredients
This easy vegetable side dish recipe call for several fresh ingredients and a few pantry staples. Like many recipes for making fresh vegetables, having fresh ingredients is key. For this recipe fresh tender broccolini is key.
Small slender stalks and not large big thick stalks of broccolini. This is key to making sure this cooks without it burning on the outside and being hard and raw on the inside.
If you have broccolini that is large, broccoli rabe, or you are using regular broccoli florets, see the substitutions section for how to cook this properly.
Here are important notes for some ingredients:
- Broccolini - small slender Italian variety, also known as tenderstem broccoli or Chinese broccoli at Asian markets
- Lemon - fresh zest and juice
- Garlic - fresh cloves are better than garlic powder
- Avocado Oil Spray - it tolerant for high heat cooking and air frying
- Shaved Parmesan - fresh nutty cheesy slices for topping
- Salt & Pepper to taste
See the recipe card for full list, quantities, & any substitutions/variations.
How to Air Fry Broccolini
Begin by prepping the broccolini and lemon. Wash and thoroughly dry the young broccolini stems.
Here are the easy steps for making tenderstem broccoli in the air fryer:
- Prep the Veggies & Season
- Air Fry
- Top & Serve
See the step-by-step instructions with photos below plus the recipe card at the end of the post.
1 - Prep the Veggies & Season
In a large mixing bowl, add the broccolini. Lightly spray with the avocado oil and toss or flip over & spray again.
You want both sides to have a light dusting of oil. Add the crushed garlic and toss to coat. Next, add salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
2 - Air Fry
Once the broccolini is ready, set the air fryer and the timer. For the best temperature to cook broccolini in the air fryer, set it at 375°.
How Long Does it Take to Air Fry Broccolini? Next, set the air fryer cook time for 7 minutes for small broccolini.
To the basket or tray of the air fryer, add the broccolini pieces. Make sure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded.
No need to preheat, let the broccolini sit in the air fryer during the preheat and cooking time. This will take about 10 minutes total depending on your air fryer model.
While it is cooking, you can prep the other ingredients. Shave the parmesan if you didn't buy it that way. Also, zest and juice the lemon.
I did not find a need to flip the pieces over in my air fryer with a tray. If you have a basket and find you need to flip food to air fry properly, you may flip it halfway through cooking.
3 - Top & Serve
Once the broccolini is done with air frying, carefully remove it from the air fryer to a serving platter. Arrange it in a single layer.
Drizzle the lemon juice evenly over the broccolini. Sprinkle on the lemon zest. Finally, sprinkle on the shaved parmesan. Using tongs, toss to coat or serve as is with salty nutty slices of shaved parmesan on the top.
Hint: Shaved parmesan works best for this recipe. To taste the sharp cheese against the hearty broccolini you need bold big pieces like you get when shaving it. Grated parmesan just doesn't stand a chance so make sure to use large shavings. You will thank me.
Substitutions & Variations
Here are a few substitutions you can make to ensure it fits your liking or dietary preference. As mentioned above, if you cannot find small broccolini and you have thick stems on your broccolini or you are using broccoli florets instead, please see the notes below.
- Large Broccolini - substitute the crushed garlic for ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder. Larger broccolini will take longer to cook and fresh garlic will burn.
- Broccoli Florets - if using regular broccoli florets, cut them into small 1" pieces so that they can cook in the short 7 minutes.
- Broccoli Rabe - you can use this too but since it is smaller than broccolini, cut the cooking time down to 4-5 minutes in the air fryer.
- Low-Sodium - omit the salt and let the cheese be the only salty component. See the nutrition information below to determine if this is low-salt enough for your diet.
- Vegan/Paleo/Whole30 - use nutritional yeast instead of the shaved parmesan.
- Spicy - add ½ teaspoon chili pepper flakes while cooking to add heat to the dish.
This recipe is already gluten-free, vegetarian, low-fat, and low-carb.
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Serving & Storing
This recipe makes 4 servings. If you have leftover broccolini, place it in an air-tight container and store for up to 5 days in the refrigerator or up to 30 days in the freezer.
Reheat broccolini in the microwave or air fryer.
What to Serve with Broccolini : This is great to pair with any baked pasta like Cheesy Rigatoni Al Forno or any Italian main course. It is also great with all you favorite meats or seafood such as Pan Seared Shrimp with Garlic.
Recipe Tips & Behind the Scenes
Here's my recipe for success - including what I learned when testing, fun stories, recipe history, and more.
- #1 Tip - no preheating needed, set it and forget it.
- Avocado oil works best but try using one of these best oil choices for air frying.
- Broccolini is in season in fall or winter.
- Try shaved Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano instead of Parmesan as a substitute.
- My favorite recipe to serve with this is my quick 20-minute Pancetta Pasta - 100% authentic Italian heaven!
RECIPE NOTE: this recipe was originally published May 2022. It has been updated to include calorie and nutritional information in the recipe card, substitutions, additional photos, concise steps, and tips for republishing in 2025.
Air Fryer Broccolini with Lemon & Parmesan (tenderstem broccoli)
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 pound small broccolini w thin tiny stalks ** see notes above if using thick broccolini or regular broccoli florets
- avocado oil spray
- 3 cloves garlic minced or crushed
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅓ cup shaved parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Wash & dry the broccolini. Add broccolini to a large mixing bowl.
- Spray with avocado oil & toss with hands or tongs to coat.
- If using tender baby broccoli, sprinkle with the fresh garlic & toss to coat. Add salt & pepper & toss again. ** If using thicker large broccolini or florets, add only salt & pepper now, no fresh garlic at this time.
- Place seasoned broccolini on the rack or in an air fryer basket. Make sure it is in a single layer.
- No need to preheat. Set the air fryer to 375° for 7 minutes (for small tender stalks).NOTE: Set it for 10 minutes for larger/thicker stalks or large broccoli florets; fresh garlic will burn in 10 minutes so if using larger broccoli, add garlic midway through cooking or use ¼ teaspoon garlic powder instead.
- When done, carefully place air-fried broccolini on a platter. Drizzle on the lemon juice & zest.
- Top with shaved parmesan. Add more salt & pepper to taste.
- ENJOY IMMEDIATELY!
- Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days or freeze for up to a month.
- Reheat in the microwave or air fryer until warm.
- Use nutritional yeast to make this dairy-free, vegan/vegetarian, Paleo, Whole30 & without cheese.
- Larger broccoli florets will take longer to cook and small broccoli rabe will cook faster, adjust the time more or less if needed.
Nutrition
More Italian Vegetable Side Dishes
For similar recipes to complete your dinner, try these other ideas found here on the blog:
Bryce says
Best broccolini ever. The lemon is the key.