A broccoli Caesar salad is a delightful combination of crisp, vibrant broccoli florets, tossed in a creamy, tangy homemade Caesar dressing, sprinkled with nutty Parmesan cheese, chick peas and finished with a generous crunch of croutons.
This refreshing and nutritious salad offers a perfect balance of flavours, with the robustness of broccoli complemented by the creamy dressing and the satisfying textures of the cheese and croutons.
It’s a delightful twist on the classic Caesar salad, adding a healthy and flavorful twist that will leave your taste buds craving more.
Ingredients needed
This easy salad requires just a handful of ingredients. It can easily be thrown together in a pinch. To make this recipe you will need:
- Broccoli – 1-2 heads
- Baguette
- Chickpeas
- Parmesan
- Ceasar dressing
The assembly of this delicious roasted broccoli salad will be simple.
You will first air-fry some broccoli until nicely roasted. After, you will then air-fry a cubed baguette to make the delicious homemade croutons.
Shave and grate some parmesan for the salty nutty goodness.
Open a can of chickpeas and set aside for added flavour and protein!
If you have time, you can make this homemade Ceasar Salad Dressing with a few staple ingredients and trust me it’s worth it! This salad dressing recipe is made with plain yogurt making it a healthier and more low-fat dressing option.
The air fryer is the best!
I just love my air fryer and use it almost daily! I bought a Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven. I think it must be one of the best purchases that I have ever made. My teenage kids also love it and great for whipping up a meal quickly without having to turn on the oven!
Air fryer Broccoli
Air Fried Broccoli is so easy to make in the air fryer and probably a family favourite dish. To make the air fried broccoli follow these simple steps:
Air-Fried Broccoli Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 head of broccoli, cut into florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, toss the broccoli florets with olive oil until well coated.
- Season the broccoli with salt and pepper, adjusting the amount to your taste.
- Carefully place the seasoned broccoli florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have enough space to cook evenly.
- Air fry the broccoli at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges turn crispy and the broccoli is tender. You may need to shake the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Once cooked, transfer the air-fried broccoli to a serving plate.
Za'atar Seasoned croutons
These tasty little croutons are so simple to make and tastes great!
Have you tried Za’atar before? Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend that offers a unique and distinct flavour profile.
It typically consists of a combination of dried thyme, toasted sesame seeds, sumac, and salt, although variations can exist.
Air-Fried Za'atar Croutons
Air-Fried Za’atar Croutons Recipe:
Ingredients for Air-fried Za’atar Croutons:
- 1 baguette, cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tbsp. Za’atar Seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, toss the baguette cubes with olive oil until well coated.
- Season the bread cubes with za’atar, adjusting the amount to your taste.
- Carefully place the seasoned bread cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have enough space to cook evenly.
- Air fry the broccoli at 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until the edges turn crispy and crunchy.
Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup parmesan grated
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions for Caesar Salad Dressing:
- In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, grated parmesan, dijon mustard, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Stir well to combine the ingredients.
- Slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing emulsifies and becomes smooth.
- Add freshly ground black pepper to taste, adjusting the amount to suit your preference.
- Taste the dressing and adjust the flavours by adding more lemon juice, garlic, or pepper if desired
putting it all together
The perfectly roasted broccoli florets, accompanied by homemade croutons, tender chickpeas, and delicate shavings of Parmesan cheese, create a delightful medley that is both satisfying and nutritious.
We top it off with a homemade Caesar salad dressing, combining creamy Greek yogurt, zesty Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of garlic. The dressing beautifully coats every ingredient, adding a tangy and savoury note that ties the salad together.
With each bite, you’ll experience a harmonious blend of earthy, crunchy, and creamy elements, making this salad a true delight for the senses.
Treat yourself to this flavorful and wholesome creation, perfect as a refreshing side dish or a light meal.
Roasted Broccoli Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
Ingredients
Ingredients to Make the Salad
- 1-2 heads Broccoli
- 1 Baguette, chopped into cubes
- 1 can Chickpeas
- 1/4 cup Parmesan, shaved
- 1 batch Homemade Caesar Salad dressing (see below)
Air-Fried Broccoli Recipe:
- 1 head of broccoli cut into florets
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Air-Fried Za'atar Croutons Recipe:
- 1 baguette cut into cubes
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. Za'atar Seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup parmesan grated
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 cloves garlic minced
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Instructions for roasted broccoli:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, toss the broccoli florets with olive oil until well coated.
- Season the broccoli with salt and pepper, adjusting the amount to your taste.
- Carefully place the seasoned broccoli florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have enough space to cook evenly.
- Air fry the broccoli at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges turn crispy and the broccoli is tender. You may need to shake the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Once cooked, transfer the air-fried broccoli to a serving plate
Instructions for Air-Fried Za’atar Croutons:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, toss the baguette cubes with olive oil until well coated.
- Season the bread cubes with za'atar, adjusting the amount to your taste.
- Carefully place the seasoned bread cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have enough space to cook evenly.
- Air fry the broccoli at 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until the edges turn crispy and crunchy.
Instructions for Caesar Salad Dressing:
- In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, grated parmesan, dijon mustard, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Stir well to combine the ingredients.
- Slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing emulsifies and becomes smooth.
- Add freshly ground black pepper to taste, adjusting the amount to suit your preference.
- Taste the dressing and adjust the flavours by adding more lemon juice, garlic, or pepper if desired
To Assemble:
- To a large bowl, add the roasted broccoli, crunchy croutons, shaved parmesan, 1 can of chickpeas drained, and then toss everything together with the homemade caesar salad dressing. Adjust seasoning as necessary with pepper.