Turn Frozen Broccoli Into A Crave-Worthy Side Dish With 2 Extra Ingredients And An Air Fryer

While many prefer their veggies fresh, there is no shortage of ways to upgrade a bag of frozen broccoli — which starts with avoiding clumpy bags at the grocery store. Once you have the right pack, you only need two other ingredients that might already be in your home: lemon pepper seasoning and olive oil. Don't have lemon pepper? Make it homemade with lemon zest for extra intensity.

Defrost the frozen broccoli in your air fryer until it takes on a steamed texture, then toss it with the oil and seasoning before putting it back in for 15 minutes. The end result is deliciously citrusy veggies enhanced by the flavors of salt and pepper. Broccoli can have bitter notes due to compounds called glucosinolates, but a bright acid, such as lemon zest, mellows these out for a better taste. This simple recipe is great for busy days, but feel free to experiment with spices and seasonings to bring extra flair suited to your taste. Add red pepper flakes or diced garlic, for example, or swap the olive oil for melted butter.

The name of this appliance invokes images of crispy fried goodness, but air fryers can also efficiently defrost foods, including frozen broccoli, due to the air circulation. Air fryers use a fan to continuously disperse hot air throughout the chamber, uniformly covering the food and preventing uneven spots. Some models have a built-in defrost or frozen setting, but if yours doesn't, you can thaw out your broccoli by leaving it in at the lowest temperature setting for a few minutes. Vegetables can also be cooked straight from frozen if you're particularly pressed for time. Excess water may collect below the tray; leave it in for veggies with a softer bite, or drain it for better roasting.

To get that roasted texture instead of soggy or burnt pieces, avoid common mistakes when air frying broccoli. Spread the florets out so there's enough space for all of them to receive proper air circulation. If there's not enough room, cook in batches — don't crowd them all together for the sake of speed. Although your air fryer should do a good job of evenly cooking the broccoli on its own, you can also stir the florets around at the midpoint so every side is covered.