Broccoli cheese is the easy cousin of cauliflower cheese, and the air fryer makes it in 15 minutes — tender broccoli, bubbling cheese sauce, golden top. A comforting side. Here's how.
Key takeaways
Q: How do you make broccoli cheese in an air fryer?
A: Par-cook the broccoli, cover with cheese sauce in a dish, top with cheese, and air fry at 180°C (360°F) for 12–15 minutes until bubbling.
Q: Do you cook the broccoli first?
A: Air fry or steam it until just tender, so it's soft by the time the top is golden.
The method
Get the broccoli most of the way tender first — a few minutes in the air fryer or a quick steam — then sit it in a dish, pour over cheese sauce, scatter more cheese (and breadcrumbs for crunch), and air fry until golden and bubbling.
The recipe
Air Fryer Broccoli Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 head broccoli, in florets
- 300ml cheese sauce
- 60g cheese, grated
- 30g breadcrumbs (optional)
Method
- Par-cook the broccoli until just tender.
- Sit in a dish; pour over cheese sauce.
- Top with cheese and breadcrumbs.
- Air fry at 180°C for 12–15 minutes.
Tips
- Par-cook the broccoli so it's tender under the top.
- Don't overcook the broccoli first — it finishes in the bake.
- Breadcrumbs add crunch. Try it with cauliflower cheese too.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make broccoli cheese in an air fryer?
Par-cook the broccoli, cover with cheese sauce in a dish, top with cheese, and air fry at 180°C for 12–15 minutes until bubbling and golden.
Do you cook the broccoli before adding sauce?
Yes — get it most of the way tender by air frying or steaming first, so it's soft by the time the top turns golden.
Can you make it ahead?
Yes — assemble it, chill, then air fry when needed, adding a few minutes if it's cold from the fridge.