High Protein Air Fryer Broccoli transforms simple florets into a crispy, golden side dish with 12 grams of protein per serving. I’ve been making this recipe for my grandkids after their soccer games, and they actually ask for seconds – something I never thought I’d see with broccoli.
There’s something magical about the way broccoli crisps up in the air fryer. It reminds me of Sunday evenings on my grandmother’s farm, when she’d roast vegetables in her old cast-iron skillet until they had those beautiful charred edges. The kitchen would fill with that irresistible aroma of caramelized vegetables, and we’d all gather around the table, fighting over the crispiest pieces. Now, with my trusty air fryer, I can recreate that same golden perfection in half the time – and with a protein boost that makes this more than just a side dish. The combination of nutty parmesan, nutritional yeast, and creamy Greek yogurt sauce turns everyday broccoli into something truly special. Time to get your air fryer preheated.
What Makes This High Protein Air Fryer Broccoli So Special
After years of trying to get my family excited about vegetables, I’ve learned that texture makes all the difference. This recipe delivers restaurant-quality results right from your countertop, and it’s become my go-to when I need a nutritious side that actually gets eaten.
- Packs 12 grams of protein per serving from parmesan cheese and Greek yogurt – far more than typical vegetable sides
- Ready in just 20 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners
- Achieves crispy, charred edges without any deep frying or excessive oil
- Uses simple pantry staples you likely already have on hand
- Stays satisfying at only 180 calories, balancing nutrition with flavor
- Works beautifully for meal prep and reheats wonderfully for quick snacks throughout the week
I’ve served this at countless family gatherings, and even the pickiest eaters come back for more. There’s something about that crispy texture combined with the savory cheese that wins everyone over.
Ingredient Spotlight
Fresh broccoli florets form the foundation of this dish, and I always choose heads with tight, vibrant green florets and firm stems for the best texture and flavor.
Olive oil helps the broccoli crisp up beautifully in the air fryer while adding heart-healthy fats and carrying all those wonderful seasonings into every bite.
Garlic powder brings that classic savory depth I’ve relied on for decades – it distributes more evenly than fresh garlic and won’t burn in the high heat.
Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy, umami-rich flavor along with extra protein and B vitamins, making this high protein air fryer broccoli even more nutritious.
Parmesan cheese creates that irresistible golden crust during the final minutes of cooking and contributes significant protein to each serving.
Lemon juice brightens everything up with a fresh, tangy finish that cuts through the richness of the cheese – I learned this trick from my grandmother.
Plain Greek yogurt transforms into a creamy, protein-packed dipping sauce that adds another 4 to 5 grams of protein per serving while keeping things light and refreshing.
How to Make High Protein Air Fryer Broccoli
Step 1. I’ve learned that thoroughly drying your broccoli florets is the secret to achieving maximum crispiness – rinse them under cold water, then pat completely dry with a clean kitchen towel, removing every bit of moisture.
Step 2. Toss the dried broccoli in a large bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and nutritional yeast, making sure every floret gets evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
Step 3. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes – this step ensures the broccoli starts cooking immediately and develops that beautiful char.
Step 4. Arrange the seasoned broccoli in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between florets so hot air can circulate. Betty always says crowding leads to steaming instead of crisping.
Step 5. Set the timer for 8 minutes and shake the basket halfway through – I use oven mitts and give it a good toss to ensure even browning on all sides.
Step 6. After 8 minutes, sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the broccoli and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden brown with lovely crispy edges.
Step 7. While the broccoli finishes cooking, whisk together Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl to create your protein-rich dipping sauce.
Step 8. Transfer the crispy high protein air fryer broccoli to a serving dish, drizzle with fresh lemon juice for brightness, and serve immediately alongside the cool, creamy yogurt sauce.
Keeping This High Protein Air Fryer Broccoli Fresh
Store your cooled broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days, though I’ll be honest – it rarely lasts that long in my house. The key is letting it cool completely before sealing the container to prevent condensation from making it soggy. I typically store the broccoli and the Greek yogurt dipping sauce in separate containers, as the sauce stays fresh for up to 5 days and is best kept cold.
For reheating, I’ve found the air fryer is your best friend once again. Just pop the broccoli back in at 375°F for 2 to 3 minutes, and it regains that wonderful crispy texture – avoid the microwave if you want to maintain the crunch. Betty’s method is to spread the broccoli in a single layer and give it a quick shake halfway through reheating.
I don’t recommend freezing this particular recipe since broccoli can become mushy when thawed, and the parmesan coating doesn’t hold up well to freezing. This is truly a dish meant to be enjoyed fresh or within a few days of making it.
Perfect Partners for High Protein Air Fryer Broccoli
- Grilled chicken breast or salmon – the crispy broccoli provides a perfect textural contrast to tender, juicy proteins, and the complete meal delivers an impressive protein punch. Try pairing with Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans for a complete dinner.
- Quinoa or brown rice bowls – I love building grain bowls with this broccoli, adding chickpeas, sliced avocado, and a tahini drizzle for a satisfying vegetarian meal. You might also enjoy Mediterranean Chicken Bowl alongside this.
- Herb-crusted cod or tilapia – the lightness of white fish lets the bold flavors of the parmesan and garlic shine while keeping the meal lean and healthy.
- Simple pasta with extra virgin olive oil – toss this high protein air fryer broccoli into warm pasta with additional parmesan, red pepper flakes, and a splash of pasta water for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Air fryer proteins – pair this with other air fryer favorites like Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites or Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken for a complete air fryer meal.
- High protein bowls – add this to Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl or Ground Turkey Cottage Cheese Bowl for extra vegetables and protein.
FAQs
I recommend sticking with fresh broccoli for this recipe – frozen florets contain too much moisture and won’t achieve that crispy texture we’re after, even with thorough drying.
If you don’t have nutritional yeast on hand, you can use an additional 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese, though you’ll lose some of the protein content and that distinctive umami flavor.
Betty’s solution is to add the parmesan cheese only in the final 2 to 3 minutes of cooking – this prevents the cheese from burning while still allowing it to melt and create that golden crust.
High Protein Air Fryer Broccoli
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Rinse the fresh broccoli florets under cold water and pat them dry thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel. This step is crucial for achieving crispiness.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the broccoli florets with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and nutritional yeast until evenly coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for about 5 minutes. Preheating helps the broccoli cook evenly and achieve perfect crispy texture.
- Place the seasoned broccoli florets in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the basket or the broccoli won’t cook evenly.
- Set the timer for 8 minutes and shake the basket halfway through cooking.
- After 8 minutes, sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the broccoli and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until cheese is melted and broccoli has a golden-brown char.
- While broccoli cooks, prepare the Greek yogurt dipping sauce by mixing Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Transfer broccoli to a serving dish, drizzle with fresh lemon juice, and serve with Greek yogurt dipping sauce on the side.
