Air Fryer "Roasted" Broccoli

We have been in a serious eating funk around here. The kids have been all hot dogs, frozen pizzas, burgers, pasta…and it is fine because sometimes there are seasons like that. But it is time to break the cycle because I cannot deal! Enter: the air fryer! Yep. I caved. Did I need another kitchen appliance taking up space? Probably not. But this one seemed more and more practical after everything I’ve heard from others who have taken the plunge.

I ended up buying the Ninja Air Fryer simply because if was the right price and had good reviews. I’ve also heard great things about the Phillips Air Fryer but it is quite pricey.

Things I’m looking forward to making with my air fryer:

• sweet potato fries

• sweet potato chips

• plantain chips

• chicken nuggets

• fish sticks

• egg rolls

Those all seem like pretty obvious things to toss into the air fryer. What would you add to the list?

To get started, I went with something simple that I know my family will benefit from ASAP. Both of my kids like roasted broccoli, so it seemed like a no brainer to try making it in this fancy new appliance of mine. I used way less oil and it took me less time than it would in the oven. Hellooooo convenience! Plus, it is perfect for warmer days when you don’t want to heat up your house with a hot oven.

Stay tuned for more recipes like this one because I’m sure I’ll have more to share!

Air Fryer “Roasted” Broccoli

• 3 cups broccoli florets

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• salt

• black pepper

1. Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
   

2. Toss broccoli florets with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
   

3. Add to the air fryer basket in two batches, cooking each batch for 8 minutes. As they cook, take the basket out every 2-3 minutes, shake the broccoli around, and check for doneness.
   

4. Serve and enjoy!

Spiced Brownie Cut Outs

I remember coming home from school and being ready for a snack. Not just any snack, but something simple and comforting that made me happy to be safe and cozy in our house. I don’t know what I usually had for snacks, but I remember that feeling so clearly. These days, it has been chilly and a little windy on the walk home from school. When the 7 year old gets home at the end of the day, usually without his coat because he says he’s “FINE, MOM”, his cheeks are rosy red and ice cold. It makes me want to wrap him up in a big blanket and hold him tight.

Since that is usually not on his list of things to do when he gets home, I like to have a special snack ready for him from time to time instead. These 100% whole grain brownies from Kodiak Cakes are absolutely perfect right now. They have a healthy amount of protien, come together in a flash, and when poured into a half baking sheet they make the perfect canvas for ninja and dinosaur cutouts.

To make these a little extra special, I like to add about a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. There’s something about cinnamon and chocolate together that makes life a little extra cozy, don’t you think?

And don’t worry. The almost-4-year-old approves as well…

We use Kodiak Cakes regularly for breakfast and lunch. My boys need protein in their diets to function (so do I!) so these are perfect for busy mornings! Plus, anytime there are leftovers, I can toss them in the kids’ lunchboxes as peanut butter sandwiches or just plain. No matter what, they disappear every time! Since my children are both very picky eaters, it thrills me to no end that they will devour everything Kodiak Cakes makes!

*a note about sponsored posts: This post is sponsored by Kodiak Cakes. I ALWAYS post about products and brands that I know and love and think you will love too! Kodiak Cakes is no exception!

spiced brownie cut outs

makes 8-10 brownie cut outs, plus scraps*

• 1 box Kodiak Cakes brownie mix

• 2 eggs

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted & cooled

• 2 tablespoons vegetable or coconut oil

• 2 tablespoons water

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• powdered sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine everything but the powdered sugar in a mixing bowl. Mix by hand until fully combined.

2. Pour the batter into a parchment lined quarter sheet pan and spread in an even layer using an offset spatula. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until the brownies are just browning around the edges.

3. Remove the pan from the oven and cool completely.

4. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes while the brownies are still in the pan (trust me on this one- you’ll save yourself a headache by not flipping them out of the pan unnecessarily). Place the cut outs on a cooling rack set over another baking sheet.

5. When all your shapes are cut out, use a sieve to sprinkle the powdered sugar over the top. Enjoy!

*This recipe results in a lot of scraps, so here are some suggestions for what to do with them: store in an airtight container and eat them all yourself. Use them as a small treat in your kids’ lunches. Make a tasty nut butter dip using 1/3 cup creamy peanut or almond butter, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, and a bit of maple syrup. Dip the scraps in the mixture for a tasty, family-friendly snack!