Malai Broccoli is a flavorful and delightful appetizer where broccoli florets are coated with rich, creamy malai marinade and roasted until perfectly golden and crisp in the air fryer or oven.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 10 minutes
  • Total time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

For Malai Marinade

  • 1/2 cup hung curd ((or greek yogurt))
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup cheese ((I used amul processed cheese))
  • 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
  • 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
  • 1 tablespoon kasuri methi
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
  • salt (to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon sugar (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch ((or besan))

Other Ingredients

  • 1 large head broccoli ((about 20-22 medium sized florets, around 300 grams))
  • 1-2 tablespoons butter (for brushing)

Garnish

  • lime wedges (to serve)
  • sliced onions (to serve)
  • tandoori mint yogurt chutney (to serve)

Method

  1. Clean, and cut the broccoli head into bite-sized florets, 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 in the boiling water, let it cook for 1 minute (for firm broccoli), and then transfer it into a bowl filled with water and ice cubes. Once cooled, drain the water and pat them dry with a kitchen or paper towel. Or you may also steam the broccoli in Instant Pot.
  2. In a large bowl, add hung curd, heavy cream, shredded cheese, ginger-garlic paste, cardamom powder, kasuri methi, garam masala, cumin powder, salt, pepper, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch (flour). Mix everything well using a whisker.
  3. Then add the blanched/steamed broccoli florets and mix until each piece of the broccoli is coated well with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  4. Firstly, Preheat the air fryer to 360 ° F (180°C). Grease the Air fryer basket with some butter (or oil). Place the marinated broccoli florets in the basket and spread them in a single layer (cook in batches if required). Brush or spray some butter on the top, ensuring the broccoli doesn't dry out.
  5. Air fry at 360 ° F (180°C) for 8-10 minutes or until edges start browning and turn tender-crisp. Turn halfway through cooking time.
  6. Remove in a serving plate, squeeze some lime juice, and immediately serve with mint yogurt chutney.

How to Make Malai Broccoli in the Oven

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the marinated cheesy malai broccoli evenly in a single layer.
  2. Bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes. Then broil on high for 2-3 minutes till they turn charred and crispy on the edges. Turn halfway through cooking time.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.