Enjoy a quick and easy weeknight dinner with this Air Fryer Cheesy Broccoli and Rice recipe. Made with tender broccoli, fluffy rice, and gooey melted cheese, it’s a family-friendly dish perfect for any meal. Ready in minutes and packed with flavor!
Air Fryer Cheesy Broccoli and Rice is the perfect air fryer side dish. This dish goes with everything, from a simple air fryer hamburger recipe to a simple breaded chicken breast dinner.
If you love a great rice dish with a baked creamy sauce loaded with fresh broccoli, this is the dish for you. I happened to love savory side dishes. If you have picky kids, this is a great dish to encourage them to eat their vegetables.
Today, I used regular white rice that was leftover from my Sweet and Sour Chicken dinner. I had some fresh broccoli florets in the refrigerator and thought, why not? I am always looking for ways to stretch my grocery dollar.
Air Fryer Cheesy Broccoli and Rice
I don’t know about you, but I could definitely go for some cheesy broccoli and rice right now. And I happen to know just the appliance to make it in—an air fryer! This recipe will show you how to make a quick and easy version of this classic casserole dish that’s perfect for any time of day. So get your air fryer prepped and ready because we’re about to cook up some deliciousness.
The ingredients for this dish are simple; I want to mention that if you are looking to substitute white rice for brown rice, that will totally work in this recipe. I would recommend using fresh broccoli since frozen broccoli with ends up being too watery for this dish.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Quick and Easy: This cheesy broccoli and rice recipe is ready in minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Family-Friendly: The combination of gooey cheese, tender broccoli, and fluffy rice is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults
- Minimal Ingredients: With only a few simple ingredients, this dish is budget-friendly and easy to prepare.
- Versatile Side or Main: Serve it as a hearty side dish or enjoy it as a satisfying vegetarian main meal.
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Cheesy Broccoli and Rice
- Cooked Rice: The rice must be cooked.
- Fresh Broccoli Florets: Frozen will make this casserole dish too watery.
- Cream of Cheddar Cheese Soup-You can also use cream of mushroom soup.
- Seasonings and Spices: Onion Powder, Salt, and Black Pepper
How To Make Air Fryer Cheesy Broccoli and Rice
Step One: Start by steaming the broccoli. You can either do this in a saucepan or in the microwave. I added the diced broccoli florets to a microwave bowl and added 3 tablespoons of water. Set the broccoli into the microwave for 4 to 6 minutes.
Step Two: Once the broccoli is steamed, mix the broccoli with the cooked rice, and mix in the onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Then mix in the cheddar cheese soup. Mix well, so all of the rice is covered.
Step Three: Layout four pieces of aluminum foil and spray them with cooking spray. Then scoop the rice broccoli mixture onto the prepared aluminum foil. Fold up the foil packets, and pinch the ends of the foil pocket together. Place the packets into the air fryer at 330 degrees F, set cook time for 5-8 minutes.
Air Fryer Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Recipe Tips
- Use Fresh or Frozen Broccoli: Fresh broccoli will give a firmer texture, but frozen works just as well—just make sure to thaw and drain it properly before using.
- Pre-Cook the Rice: For the best results, use leftover rice or pre-cooked rice.
- Stir for Even Cooking: Halfway through the air frying process, give the broccoli and rice a stir to ensure everything cooks evenly.
- Add a Crispy Topping: Sprinkle breadcrumbs or crushed crackers on top for an extra crunchy layer before the final minutes in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Recipe Faqs
Can I use frozen broccoli for this recipe? Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. Just make sure to thaw and drain it well to avoid excess moisture in the dish.
What type of cheese is best for this recipe? Cheddar is a popular choice, but any melty cheese like mozzarella, gouda, or Monterey Jack works great for this recipe.
Do I need to pre-cook the rice? Yes, it’s recommended to use pre-cooked or leftover rice for this recipe to ensure it doesn’t become too soft or mushy during air frying.
How do I prevent the cheese from burning? To avoid burning the cheese, add it during the last few minutes of cooking and keep a close eye on it so it melts but doesn’t overcook.
Can I add extra ingredients? Absolutely! You can add protein like cooked chicken, bacon, or even extra veggies to make it a complete meal.
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Air Fryer Cheesy Broccoli and Rice
Description
Ingredients
- 2 cups rice, must be cooked
- 1 cup broccoli florets, fresh
- 21 ounces Cream of Cheddar Soup
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Start by steaming the broccoli. You can either do this in a saucepan or the microwave. I added the diced broccoli florets to a microwave bowl and added 3 tablespoons of water. Set the broccoli into the microwave for 4 to 6 minutes.
- Once the broccoli is steamed, mix the broccoli with the rice, and mix in the onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Then mix in the cheddar cheese soup.
- Mix well, so all of the rice is covered.
- Layout four pieces of aluminum foil spray them with cooking spray.
- Then scoop the rice broccoli mixture onto the prepared aluminum foil.
- Fold up the foil packets, and pinch the ends of the foil pocket together.
- Place the packets into the air fryer at 330 degrees F for 5 to 8 minutes.
- Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Equipment
- Aluminum Foil
Nutrition
Share this recipe
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Jackie Hurley
I would love to make this but need to know if you “cook the rice first or if you use raw rice????
Laurie
cooked rice
Jana
5 stars