Why heat up the house to make delicious roasted asparagus when you can make Asparagus in the Air Fryer in just 15 minutes? Air fryer asparagus is crispy with a satisfying crunch and the perfect amount of seasoning.
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Air Fryer Asparagus
We're big fans of cooking asparagus to go with just about every air fryer dinner. It's a healthy side dish that's rich in vitamins and minerals (source: Asparagus Nutrition Facts), and not to mention, it tastes delicious! Forget using the oven! Try our air fryer asparagus recipe, and we know you'll want to cook it this way every time. Pair it with our air fryer boneless pork chops or air fryer mahi-mahi for a quick and easy dinner any night of the week!
Why air fry asparagus?
- It's quick and convenient! Air frying asparagus takes just 15 minutes from start to finish. That includes the prep work!
- Asparagus in the air fryer develops a crispy exterior while remaining tender.
- It uses less oil than other methods, making it a more wholesome choice.
- Air fryer asparagus has a unique flavor and texture we guarantee you will love.
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Ingredients
- Asparagus Spears: Select fresh asparagus spears that have a consistent thickness, as this ensures even cooking. You can use thick asparagus or thin asparagus, though keep in mind thick asparagus spears will need more time to cook.
- Oil: Oil is used to coat the asparagus spears before cooking. It helps the seasoning stick to the asparagus. You can use avocado oil or light olive oil, whichever you prefer. Learn more: Our Favorite Oils to use for Air Frying
- Seasoning: Garlic powder, salt, and pepper helps enhance the flavor of the asparagus. Feel free to mix up the seasoning to your liking. Other great choices for variations are Italian seasoning, the addition of balsamic vinegar and soy sauce, or simply adding a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Parmesan Cheese (optional): For a cheesy, savory twist. If you're keeping it vegan, you can use a dairy-free substitute such as nutritional yeast to achieve a similar flavor.
How to Shop for Asparagus
- Color: Look for asparagus spears that are vibrant green from top to bottom. Avoid any with yellowing or brownish spots, as this indicates the asparagus has aged and potentially deteriorated.
- Uniform Size: Try to choose asparagus spears that are of a similar size. This ensure even cooking times. We prefer asparagus that is not too thick or too thin for this recipe. If your asparagus is on the thick side, we recommend adding a few minutes to the cooking time.
- Firmness: Gently squeeze the asparagus spears near the bottom of each spear. They should feel firm, but not too woody or soft. Asparagus that is too firm may be old or overgrown, and will have a tough, fibrous texture.
- Asparagus Tips: The pointed ends of the spears should be tightly closed and compact, without any signs of flowering or feathery growth. This is how you know they're fresh!
- Local or Seasonal: Look for in-season, locally-sourced asparagus for the best flavor and texture.
Storage Tip: Asparagus is best enjoyed shortly after purchase for optimal taste and texture. If you can't use it immediately, store it in the refrigerator with the cut ends wrapped in a damp paper towel and placed in a plastic bag. Proper storage can help extend its freshness for a few days.
How to Air Fry Asparagus
Step 1 - Prepare the Asparagus: Rinse, dry, and trim the asparagus stalks by cutting or snapping off the woody ends.
Step 2 - Season: Sprinkle the trimmed asparagus spears with oil, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper, then toss to coat evenly.
Step 3 - Arrange in Air Fryer Basket: Place the trimmed and seasoned asparagus spears in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Step 4 - Air Fry: Set the air fryer to 400°F. Air fry for 5-7 minutes until tender and crisp, or to your preferred level of doneness.
Step 5 - Serve: Serve roasted air fryer asparagus with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired, and enjoy! We love pairing asparagus with Air Fryer Salmon Bites.
Toaster Oven Style Air Fryer Instructions
The following instructions are for toaster-oven style air fryers, such as the Breville Smart Oven Air.
- Rinse, dry, and trim the asparagus spears.
- Toss trimmed asparagus spears with oil, garlic powder, kosher salt, and pepper to coat well.
- Preheat your air fryer oven to 400°F on the air fryer setting.
- Place the asparagus in a single layer on the air fryer tray and set the tray on the middle rack of the preheated air fryer.
- Air fry asparagus at 400°F for 7-9 minutes or until tender crisp or cooked to your liking.
How Long to Cook Asparagus in an Air Fryer
How long you cook the asparagus will depend on the thickness, so for thicker spears you will need to cook the asparagus a little longer, while thinner asparagus will air fry more quickly.
Generally, for asparagus that is not too thick or thin, you will cook it for about 5-7 minutes with your air fryer set to 400°F. The high heat and circulating air inside the air fryer makes quick work of cooking asparagus to the perfect tender crisp texture. Learn more about How Air Fryers Work.
How long to cook the asparagus also depends on your specific air fryer model, so be sure to use the cook time and temperature as a guide until you are more comfortable with your specific brand of air fryer.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t crowd the air fryer basket. The air needs room to circulate around the asparagus on all sides.
- Choose asparagus that is not too thick. If your asparagus spears are thicker you’ll need to increase the air frying time.
- Frozen asparagus will not work in this recipe.
- To trim asparagus spears: Snap off the hard, woody ends of the asparagus by gently bending it a few inches from the stem end. The asparagus will naturally snap at the proper place. Discard the stems.
- Cook time may vary depending on your specific air fryer model. As always, use the cook time and temperature as a guide until you are more comfortable with your specific brand of air fryer.
- If cooking in multiple batches, be sure to check on the remaining batches early, as they may cook more quickly.
- This recipe does not require preheating unless you are using a toaster oven style air fryer.
Storage Instructions
- If you have leftover asparagus, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Leftovers should stay fresh for up to 2-3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven on a sheet pan for the best results.
Serving Suggestions
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
- Air Fryer Thin Chicken Breasts
- See our other Air Fryer Sides,
- Air Fryer Dinners,
- and Air Fryer Vegetables!
FAQ
Absolutely! Get creative with your favorite herbs and spices, like rosemary, thyme, or paprika.
Yes, you can use your preferred cooking oil, but avocado and light olive oil are excellent choices for flavor. Learn more: Air Frying Oils
Review our step-by-step guide to learn How to Clean an Air Fryer, and also refer to your air fryer's user manual for specific cleaning instructions for your air fryer.
Air Fryer Vegetables
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
- Try all of our Air Fryer Vegetables!
Leave a comment and review for us below if you enjoyed this recipe, or if you have questions about any of our air fryer recipes!
Air Fryer Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus spears washed and woody stems removed
- 1 Tablespoon oil such as avocado oil or olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
- Rinse, dry, and trim the asparagus spears by snapping off the woody ends.1 pound asparagus spears
- Toss trimmed asparagus spears with oil, garlic powder, kosher salt, and pepper to coat well.1 Tablespoon oil, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Place the asparagus in your air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry asparagus at 400°F for 5-7 minutes until tender crisp or cooked to your liking.
- Remove from the air fryer and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese (optional).Parmesan cheese
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