Charred Broccolini Salad (Printable Page)

Air-fried broccolini tossed with garlic chips, lemon, and Parmesan for a fresh, light dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
02 - In a large bowl, toss the broccolini with 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Arrange the broccolini in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Cook for 7 to 9 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the broccolini is tender and charred.
04 - While the broccolini cooks, heat 0.5 tablespoon of olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown and crisp, about 1 to 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
05 - Transfer the hot broccolini to a serving platter. Drizzle with lemon juice, sprinkle with lemon zest, and toss gently to combine.
06 - Scatter the garlic chips and Parmesan cheese over the broccolini. Add red pepper flakes and toasted pine nuts if desired.
07 - Serve immediately accompanied by extra lemon wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Ready in under 25 minutes with almost zero hands-on cooking time.
  • The contrast between charred edges and tender stems feels luxurious, like a restaurant side at home.
  • Works as a side dish, a light dinner, or even cold the next day (if it lasts that long).
02 -
  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket—if pieces touch, they'll steam instead of char, and you'll miss the whole point.
  • The garlic chips will continue cooking slightly after you remove them from heat, so take them off just before they look fully crispy.
03 -
  • If your broccolini pieces are very thick, halve them lengthwise so they cook through evenly before the edges char too much.
  • Always zest your lemon before juicing it—once it's cut, you'll lose the oils that make the zest aromatic.
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