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One of the absolute most amazing versions of broccoli you will ever taste, broccolini also known as broccoli tender from the air fryer is a delicious and healthy keto side dish.

If you love roasted vegetables, you are going to love this Air Fryer Broccoli Tender also known as Broccolini recipe! It’s a perfectly tender, flavorful and healthy vegetable side dish that works well with just about any keto friendly entree. You might be surprised by just how simple it is to make this mouthwatering broccolini recipe. 

There are many different names for broccoli tender, which you may find surprising. Whether you call it broccoli tender, broccoli tenderstem or broccolini, you can’t deny how amazing the flavors in this air fryer broccolini recipe taste together. The one thing you can definitely call it is delicious! 

Air Fryer Broccoli Tender

Make sure when shopping for ingredients for this recipe that you buy broccoli tenderstem (broccolini) as opposed to regular broccoli. 

What is the Difference between Broccoli, Broccoli Tenderstem (tender) and Broccolini?

For those new to broccoli tender, you may be surprised to learn that there is a difference between them.

What is Broccoli?

Broccoli is a vegetable that has clustered florets and thick, crunchy stems. Broccoli has a bitter, earthy flavor. It can be eaten raw as is, in a veggie plate or in salads. It can also be cooked in a variety of ways, such as baked, roasted, fried, grilled, sauteed or even air fried. 

If you choose to cook the stems as well as the florets, be sure to trim and peel the outside of the stalk and slice into ¼ inch thick pieces before cooking. 

What is Broccoli Tender or Air Fryer Broccolini?

First of all, broccoli tender is the same thing as broccoli tenderstem and broccolini. Tenderstem is simply the trademarked name for this vegetable. You’ll also sometimes hear it being referred to as baby broccoli. 

This vegetable looks like a tall, slim version of broccoli, yet it tastes sweeter and a bit milder than broccoli. Broccolini is technically a cross-breed of broccoli and chinese broccoli. It is great for grilling, roasting, steaming and sauteing.   

When shopping for broccoli tender, be sure to avoid buying broccoli rabe. They look very similar, but taste very, very different. Broccoli rabe has a very bitter flavor that cannot be mistaken for broccoli tender. 

Can You Substitute Broccoli for Broccolini?

While they are quite different vegetables, you can easily use broccolini in recipes that call for broccoli as they do have a similar flavor profile.  

What is Needed to Make Air Fryer Broccolini?

In order to make this air fryer broccolini, you will need the have the following items on hand:

Ingredients:

• ½ lb broccoli tenders
• 2 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 2 tablespoon grated parmesan
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• ⅓ teaspoon salt
• ⅓ teaspoon ground pepper

Tools:

• Mixing Bowl
• Air Fryer

How Do You Make Broccoli Tender?

Follow these simple instructions to make this delicious air fryer broccoli tender recipe:

Instructions:

1. Wash the broccoli tenders and trim the stems from the bottom. Put in a bowl, add salt, pepper and olive oil, mix.
2. Put the tenders in the air fryer basket. Sprinkle chopped garlic on top. Bake at 400F for 5-6 minutes.
3. Sprinkle parmesan crumbs and parmesan flakes over the broccoli and bake for an additional 2 minutes. It is important not to overdry the tenders, otherwise they will become tough.
4. Serve the broccoli tenders as soon as they are cooked. You can also serve them with some kind of sauce and fresh herbs.

Should You Eat the Stalk and Leaves on Broccolini?

Yes! You should absolutely eat the leaves on broccolini. The entire plant is edible and delicious. No need to cut off the leaves, or even the flowers, before putting the broccoli tender in the airfryer. Just be sure and wash the whole vegetable before cooking it as you would any other vegetable. 

Why Should You Cook Broccolini Instead of Broccoli?

Broccolini is great to cook instead of broccoli, because it requires much less prep work. No peeling the stem or pulling the leaves. You simply need to cut off about an inch off of the bottom of the stalk and you are ready to go! 

Does Air Fryer Broccolini Have Health Benefits?

Broccoli tender packs a punch when it comes to health benefits! Broccolini is loaded with Vitamin A, iron, folate and potassium. It also offers over 100% of your recommended daily dose of Vitamin C. Plus, cooking it in the air fryer helps retain a lot of the nutrients, rather than boiling them out. Steaming is also a great option.

More Amazing Keto Dishes to Try

• Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole
• Keto Beef & Broccoli Asian Copycat
• Keto Crunchy Chicken Tenders

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