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Air-Fried BBQ Broccoli Nuggets, How to make Veg BBQ Wings

Air-Fried BBQ Broccoli Nuggets/ Chicken-less Wings – Crispy outside, tender inside, and bursting with BBQ flavor- this broccoli tasted nothing like a veggie!I was honestly amazed by how good this recipe turned out! I first saw a similar version on an Instagram video from @veganchallenge (I think it was you!), where they used cauliflower florets. But since I only had broccoli at home, I decided to try it with what I had — and it worked even better than I expected.

I shaped the broccoli florets almost like little crispy “chicken” bites, and as you can see, they look so convincing! I completely fooled my family — they didn’t even guess it was broccoli until they took a bite.

I also tweaked the original batter and sauce recipe a bit to suit our taste — a touch more paprika, slightly thicker batter, and a richer BBQ glaze. And honestly… the flavor was unbelievably good. Smoky, crunchy, and so satisfying and everyone would ask for more!

This is definitely one of those fun, quick recipes that look fancy but take barely any time. And the best part? It’s such a great way to make everyone happily eat broccoli!

A Bite of History – Air-Fried BBQ Broccoli Nuggets

Crispy vegetable “nuggets”/ wings have become a modern plant-based twist on classic fried snacks, but the idea of coating vegetables in batter actually goes back centuries. From Japanese tempura to Mediterranean fritters, cooks around the world have always used simple batters to turn everyday vegetables into irresistible bites. Today’s air-fried versions keep the same nostalgic crunch but with a lighter, healthier finish. This BBQ broccoli variation is a fun evolution of that tradition—bringing smoky American barbecue flavor to an age-old technique.

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Ingredient Roles in Broccoli Nuggets

Ingredient	Role in the Recipe
Broccoli florets	Acts as the main “nugget,” giving structure and a juicy bite inside the crispy coating.
Flour	Helps bind the batter to the broccoli and creates a smooth base for the crumbs to stick.
Milk (or any plant milk)	Thins the batter to the right consistency.
BBQ sauce	Adds smoky sweetness to the batter and boosts flavor in every layer.
Paprika	Gives warmth, color, and a mild smoky depth.
Garlic powder	Adds savory flavor and enhances the BBQ taste.
Salt	Brings all flavors together and balances the sweetness of the BBQ sauce.
Crushed cornflakes or breadcrumbs	Creates the crisp, crunchy outer coating—essential for the “nugget” texture.
Butter	Adds richness and helps the glaze cling beautifully to the hot nuggets.
BBQ sauce	Provides the final burst of smoky, sweet flavor.
Maple syrup or honey	Balances the smokiness with a hint of caramelized sweetness.
Hot sauce	Adds a spicy kick for those who want heat.
Garlic/onion powder	Gives extra depth and enhances the BBQ profile.

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Air-Fried BBQ Broccoli Nuggets, How to make Veg BBQ Wings

Recipe by Sandhya Riyaz

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Snack, AppetizerCuisine: American-inspired, VegetarianDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Air Frying Time

minutes

Crispy, smoky BBQ broccoli nuggets air-fried to golden perfection, coated in a flavorful batter with a crunchy crust and finished with a sweet–smoky glaze.

Ingredients for Veg BBQ Nuggets

Ingredients for Broccoli
2 cups, 2 Broccoli florets
4 tablespoon, 4 All-purpose flour
4 tablespoon, 4 Regular milk (or plant milk)
2 tablespoon, 2 BBQ sauce
2 teaspoon, 2 Paprika
1/2 teaspoon, 1/2 Garlic powder
Salt to taste
1/2 cup 1/2 Crushed cornflakes or breadcrumbs
For the BBQ Glaze
2 tablespoon, 2 Melted butter
2–3 tablespoon, 2–3 BBQ sauce
2 teaspoon, 2 Maple syrup/honey
1 teaspoon, 1 Hot sauce
1/4 teaspoon, 1/4 Garlic
1/4 teaspoon, 1/4 Onion powder

Directions to make Broccoli Nuggets

Prep the Broccoli
Chop the broccoli into small, nugget-sized pieces.
Bring water to a boil, drop the broccoli florets in for 10–15 seconds, then remove immediately.
Pat fully dry — this helps the coating stick better.
Make the Batter
In a bowl, whisk together flour, milk, BBQ sauce, paprika, garlic powder, and salt until you get a smooth, thick coating consistency.
Coat the Broccoli
Crush the breadcrumbs/cornflakes slightly with your hands.
Dip each broccoli piece in the batter, then roll it in the crumbs until perfectly coated. Place the coated broccoli in the air fryer basket.
Air-Fry
Air-fry at 190°C / 375°F for 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and crispy.
Make the BBQ Glaze
Mix melted butter, BBQ sauce, maple syrup/honey, hot sauce, and garlic/onion powder.
Glaze or Dip
Once the nuggets come out hot and crunchy, drizzle the glaze on top or serve it on the side as a dipping sauce.
Serve Hot
Enjoy your smoky, crispy veg BBQ nuggets!

Notes

1 cup = 250 ml

Directions to make veg bbq wings with step by step images

Prep the Broccoli
Chop the broccoli into small, nugget-sized pieces.
Bring water to a boil, drop the broccoli florets in for 10–15 seconds, then remove immediately.
Pat fully dry — this helps the coating stick better.
Make the Batter
In a bowl, whisk together flour, milk, BBQ sauce, paprika, garlic powder, and salt until you get a smooth, thick coating consistency.
Coat the Broccoli
Crush the breadcrumbs/cornflakes slightly with your hands.
Dip each broccoli piece in the batter, then roll it in the crumbs until perfectly coated. Place the coated broccoli in the air fryer basket.
Air-Fry/ Air Roast
Air-fry at 190°C / 375°F for 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and crispy. See it resembles chicken.
Finish with BBQ Glaze
While the nuggets are still hot and crispy, mix together melted butter, BBQ sauce, maple syrup/honey, hot sauce, and garlic/onion powder, then drizzle it generously over the nuggets or serve it on the side as a dipping sauce for a smoky, flavorful finish.

Pro Tips to make perfect and tasty Broccoli Nuggets

Blanch broccoli for only 10–15 seconds to keep the texture firm and nugget-like.
Pat the florets completely dry so the batter sticks well.
Keep the batter slightly thick for best coating and crunch.
Crush breadcrumbs or cornflakes coarse, not fine, for maximum crispiness.
Place nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer to avoid steaming.
Shake the basket halfway to ensure even browning.
Lightly spray oil for extra crunch, if desired.
Serve immediately—crispy nuggets taste best when fresh out of the air fryer.
For an even smokier flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the batter.
If your BBQ sauce is very thick, thin it with 1 tsp milk for smoother glazing.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with extra BBQ sauce, garlic mayo, sriracha mayo, or honey-mustard dip.
Add to a snack platter with fries, onion rings, and sweet potato wedges.
Use the nuggets inside tortilla wraps or tacos with lettuce and pickled onions.
Make it a game-night appetizer with three dipping sauces.

FAQs – BBQ Broccoli Nuggets

1. Can I make air-fried BBQ broccoli nuggets without an air fryer?

Yes. You can bake them in an oven at 425°F (220°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping once. They won’t be as crispy as air-fried nuggets but still delicious.

2. How do I make veg BBQ wings extra crispy in the air fryer?

Use coarse breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes, avoid overcrowding, and shake halfway through. A quick spray of oil also boosts crispiness.

3. Can I use cauliflower or other vegetables to make BBQ veg nuggets?

Absolutely! This recipe works with cauliflower, baby corn, zucchini, mushrooms, tofu, and bell peppers. The batter and glaze stay the same.

4. How to prevent broccoli nuggets/ wings from becoming soggy?

Dry the blanched broccoli completely, use a thick batter, and eat them immediately after air-frying. Storing them hot inside a container can soften them.

5. Can I prep these veg wings ahead of time?

Yes. Coat the nuggets and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Air-fry just before serving to maintain crispiness.

6. What dips go well with crispy veg BBQ nuggets?

BBQ sauce, garlic aioli, spicy mayo, buffalo sauce, yogurt dip, or honey-mustard all pair beautifully with the smoky flavors.

7. Are these veg BBQ wings/ nuggets kid-friendly?

Yes! Reduce the paprika and skip the hot sauce to make a mild, crunchy snack perfect for kids.

8. Can I make the BBQ glaze healthier?

Yes—replace butter with olive oil and use honey or maple syrup sparingly. You can also skip the sweetener if your BBQ sauce is already sweet.