Charred Broccolini Salad (Printable Version)

Air-fried broccolini with crispy garlic, lemon zest, and Parmesan offers a bright, flavorful side or light main.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 14 oz broccolini, trimmed
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

→ Seasonings & Flavor

04 - 1 lemon, zested and juiced
05 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
06 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
07 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Cheese

08 - 1.5 oz Parmesan cheese, shaved or grated

→ Garnish

09 - 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts (optional)
10 - Extra lemon wedges, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
02 - Toss broccolini with 1.5 tbsp olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.
03 - Arrange broccolini in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 7 to 9 minutes, shaking halfway through, until charred and tender.
04 - Heat remaining 0.5 tbsp olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat; add garlic slices and cook, stirring frequently, until golden and crisp, about 1 to 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
05 - Transfer broccolini to serving platter. While hot, drizzle with lemon juice, sprinkle with lemon zest, and toss gently.
06 - Scatter garlic chips and Parmesan over broccolini. Add red pepper flakes and pine nuts if desired.
07 - Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes less than 25 minutes total and feels like you've been cooking all afternoon.
  • The char on the broccolini tastes better than it has any right to—crispy, deep, and nothing like steamed or boiled.
  • One salad works for weeknight dinner, brunch prep, or an impressive side dish for guests.
02 -
  • Thinly slice your garlic or it will burn and turn acrid—thick slices stay pale while thin ones crisp into chips.
  • Don't dress the broccolini ahead of time; the heat from the air-fried vegetables is what makes everything come together, and it wilts a bit sitting in lemon juice.
  • The char is the whole point here, so don't be timid with temperature or cooking time—broccolini can handle being quite dark.
03 -
  • Buy broccolini from the produce section where it's been kept cool, not from a bin where it might have been sitting out—fresher broccolini chars better and tastes sweeter.
  • If you don't have an air fryer, use a very hot cast iron skillet with a little oil and get the same char, but watch it closely so nothing burns.
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