Tandoori Broccoli Tikka is a delicious fusion appetizer where broccoli florets are marinated in a spiced yogurt-based mixture and then grilled to perfection in an air fryer or oven.
During my last visit to India, I enjoyed a delicious Indian vegetarian appetizer called tandoori broccoli at a restaurant, which was similar to tandoori gobi. Inspired by that, I decided to try making it at home using an air fryer, without the need for a traditional tandoor or an electric tandoor.
Broccoli is steamed, marinated in yogurt along with spices, and then air-fried. It can be made in 30 minutes. If you don't have an air fryer, you can also bake it. This appetizer is perfect for snacking or enjoy in wraps. Check out more Tandoori Vegetable recipes like tandoori aloo, tandoori gobi, and paneer tikka.
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Ingredients
- Broccoli: I used fresh organic broccoli, cleaned it thoroughly, and cut it into bite-sized florets.
- Yogurt: Use plain, full-fat hung curd or Greek yogurt for a thick, creamy marinade. Check out the detailed recipe on how to make hung curd at home.
- Besan (Gram Flour): It helps the broccoli coat well and prevents it from sticking to the air fryer basket or pan. I roast it slightly in a pan on low heat until fragrant, then cool it before using it.
- Ginger and garlic: use freshly minced ginger and garlic or homemade ginger paste and garlic paste.
- Spices: I have used turmeric, Kashmiri red chili powder, cumin powder, garam masala (or tandoori masala), chaat masala, and salt.
- Kasuri Methi (Dried fenugreek leaves): Also known as Kasuri methi, it adds a nice flavor to the dish. If you don't have it, you can simply skip it.
How to Make Tandoori Broccoli in the Air Fryer
Clean and cut 1 medium broccoli head into bite-sized florets (about 20-22 medium-sized florets), ensuring they are roughly the same size for even cooking.
The next step is to blanch the broccoli. Bring a medium-sized pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Drop the broccoli into the boiling water and let it cook for 1 minute (for firm broccoli). Then, transfer it into a bowl filled with ice water.
Once cooled, drain the water and pat the broccoli dry with a kitchen or paper towel. Alternatively, you can steam the broccoli in Instant Pot.
In a large bowl, add the following ingredients:
- ½ cup hung curd (or Greek yogurt)
- 1 tablespoon besan (gram flour)
- 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon kashmiri red chilli powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon chaat masala powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala (or tandoori masala powder)
- 1 teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (or amchur powder)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- salt to taste
Mix everything together until well combined.
Next, add the blanched or steamed broccoli florets to the bowl and gently mix until each piece is evenly coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180°C). Place the marinated broccoli florets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, (cook in batches if necessary). Lightly brush or spray the tops with oil to keep the broccoli from drying out.
Air fry at 360°F (180°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown and the broccoli turns crispy. Shake the basket halfway through the cooking time.
Remove in a serving plate, squeeze some lime juice, sprinkle chaat masala, and immediately serve with mint yogurt chutney.
How to Make Broccoli Tikka in the Oven
Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the marinated broccoli in an even, single layer on the baking sheet.
Bake at 425°F (218°C) for 15-20 minutes, then broil on high for 2-3 minutes until the edges are charred and crispy. Turn the broccoli halfway through the cooking time for even browning.
Serving Suggestions
Serve tandoori broccoli tikka with
- mint yogurt chutney
- onion salad or slices
- lemon wedges
- and a glass of mango lassi or a hot cup of masala chai.
Expert Tips
- Cut them the same size: This helps for quick and even cooking.
- Work in batches. Make sure to spread the marinated broccoli in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each other. Cook in batches if needed.
- Shake the basket halfway: It's important to shake it halfway through to allow the tandoori broccoli tikka bites to be cooked evenly.
- Marination: Let the broccoli florets marinate for at least 15-20 minutes. If you have some extra time, then let them sit for longer; that way, they will absorb more flavors from the marinade.
- Besan (gram flour): I highly recommend adding besan (gram flour) to the marinade, this step ensures that the besan would help the broccoli to coat well and not stick to the air fryer basket/pan.
Variations
- Other Veggies: You can add onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini.
- Keto: If you want to make keto broccoli tikka bites, then skip besan (gram flour) in this recipe.
Air Fryer Tandoori Broccoli
Ingredients
For the Marinade
- ½ cup hung curd (or greek yogurt)
- 1 tablespoon besan (gram flour or chickpea flour)
- 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon kashmiri red chilli powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon chaat masala powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala (or tandoori masala powder)
- 1 teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (or amchur powder)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- salt to taste
Other Ingredients
- 1 large head broccoli (about 20-22 medium sized florets, around 300 grams)
Garnish
- lemon wedges to serve
- onion slices to serve
- chaat masala to sprinkle
- green chutney
Instructions
- Clean and cut the broccoli head into bite-sized florets, ensuring they are roughly the same size for even cooking.The next step is to blanch the broccoli. Bring a medium-sized pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Drop the broccoli into the boiling water and let it cook for 1 minute (for firm broccoli). Then, transfer it into a bowl filled with ice water. Once cooled, drain the water and pat the broccoli dry with a kitchen or paper towel. Alternatively, you can steam the broccoli in Instant Pot.
- In a large bowl, combine hung curd, besan, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin powder, garam masala, chaat masala, kasuri methi, lemon juice, salt, and oil. Mix everything together until well combined.Next, add the blanched or steamed broccoli florets to the bowl and gently mix until each piece is evenly coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180°C). Place the marinated broccoli florets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, (cook in batches if necessary). Lightly brush or spray the tops with oil to keep the broccoli from drying out.
- Air fry at 360°F (180°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown and the broccoli turns crispy. Shake the basket halfway through the cooking time.
- Remove in a serving plate, squeeze some lime juice, sprinkle chaat masala, and serve it immediately with mint yogurt chutney.
Oven Method
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the marinated broccoli in an even, single layer on the baking sheet.Bake at 425°F (218°C) for 15-20 minutes, then broil on high for 2-3 minutes until the edges are charred and crispy. Turn the broccoli halfway through the cooking time for even browning.
Notes
Tips & Variations
- Cut them the same size: This helps for quick and even cooking.
- Work in batches. Make sure to spread the marinated broccoli in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each other. Cook in batches if needed.
- Shake the basket halfway: It's important to shake it halfway through to allow the tandoori broccoli tikka bites to be cooked evenly.
- Marination: Let the broccoli florets marinate for at least 15-20 minutes. If you have some extra time, then let them sit for longer that way, they absorb more flavors from the marinade.
- Besan (gram flour): I highly recommend adding besan (gram flour) to the marinade, this step ensures that the besan helps the broccoli to coat well and not stick to the air fryer basket/pan.
- Other Veggies: You can also add onion, bell peppers, and zucchini to this recipe.
- Keto: If you want to make keto broccoli tikka bites, then skip besan (gram flour) in this recipe.
Nutrition
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Geetha
Does this recipe hold good for baking in the oven
Bhavana Patil
Hi Geetha, You can also bake these tandoori broccoli, I have provided the instructions in the blog. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Anonymous
Amazing recipe!perfect measurements! Loved it, thanks for sharing
Bhavana Patil
Thank you so much, I am so happy to hear that you liked the recipe. 🙂
Rod
Wow! 3 out of 3 people who tried this thought it was really delicious. Definately a keeper.
Bhavana Patil
Hi Rod, Thats so nice to hear that everyone loved it..Thank you for sharing your feedback.