Amazingly tender, popping with fresh flavors, and topped with vegetarian grated parmesan cheese, our air fryer asparagus recipe is not only totally delicious, but it’s also quick and easy too.
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This healthy side dish is always a firm favorite in our household.
Grab a bunch of fresh asparagus spears, you’ve got to cook this recipe tonight!
Why you’ll love this easy air fryer recipe
Fresh asparagus in season has the best flavor is the perfect reason to get your air fryer out, every mouthful is a real treat!
Ingredients you’ll need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to make air fryer asparagus with step-by-step instructions
Making air fryer asparagus is easy if you follow our simple instructions.
A full printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C, according to your manufactures instructions.
Trim the ends of your asparagus spears and place them in a large bowl.
Place the trimmed asparagus spears in the air fryer basket in a single layer, and sprinkle, any excess grated Parmesan cheese on the spears.
Air fry for approximately 6 to 7 minutes, shake the air fryer basket halfway through to ensure even cooking, and cook until they are golden brown.
Remove from your air fryer, you will probably have to work in batches, optional: sprinkle a little more grated parmesan cheese, and some freshly squeezed lemon juice, and serve immediately.
Enjoy your delicious air fryer asparagus!
We hope you enjoy making and eating our air fryer roasted asparagus spears and would love to hear how you got on with making them.
Please leave a comment below and feel free to ask any questions you may have.
Recipe notes and expert tips
What do I serve air fryer asparagus with?
Air fryer asparagus makes a perfect side dish, we eat it alongside our roasted carrots, dauphinoise potatoes, nut roast, and even alongside a tasty risotto.
Take a look at all of our side dishes.
Why use an air fryer to roast asparagus?
Air fryer asparagus is so simple, your air fryer basket is a lot easier to clean than a roasting tin if you were to roast asparagus in the oven.
We love using it because the asparagus spears cook perfectly, you’ll have a better chance of success with this recipe.
We’ve been using our air fryer since we made air fryer Brussels sprouts and are systematically going through all vegetables – so be sure to check out our up-and-coming recipes.
How to pick the best asparagus spears
Buying asparagus is easy these days, most major grocery stores stock it, but if you can, try to buy it from a farmers market, or better still, the farm itself for extra fresh asparagus.
When asparagus is fresh, it stands upright, the heads don’t flop around, and the stalk is firm.
If you see floppy wrinkled asparagus then don’t buy them, they are old and past their best.
The older an asparagus spear is, the more ‘woody’ the flavor.
Buy fresh, firm, green, upright asparagus for your air fryer and you won’t be disappointed.
Make sure you trim asparagus, you don’t want any woody end of stalks, and if you can, just buy asparagus spears as they are deliciously fresh and crunchy.
Make this asparagus recipe vegan
The only ingredient in this recipe that isn’t vegan friendly is the vegetarian Parmesan cheese, so simply replace it with a plant-based alternative.
Play with flavors
We love the fact that our air fryer recipes evolve with each person that makes them.
So once you’ve made asparagus in the air fryer, play with the flavors, and make it yours.
If you like a little heat, then try adding red pepper flakes, perhaps add smoked paprika or chili powder.
Instead of olive oil, use avocado oil, one time I used coconut oil which gave a lovely flavor.
Add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar when tossing the asparagus spears or balsamic glaze when they are cooked.
How do I store it?
Leftovers? What are they?
Seriously though, if you do have leftover asparagus, then store then in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Simply reheat them when you want to eat them OR you could try them cold, I’m not sure if I’m strange but I love cold asparagus too!
We don’t recommend freezing asparagus, it’ll go all mushy and horrible, so don’t do it.
More air fryer recipes for you to try
If you’ve enjoyed our air fryer asparagus recipe, then why not try these easy recipes? Air fryer Brussels sprouts, air fryer buffalo cauliflower, air fryer cheesy carrots, air fryer asparagus, air fryer zucchini, and air fryer frozen onion rings.
Air fryer asparagus recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb Asparagus trimmed
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 clove Garlic minced
- ⅓ cup Vegetarian Parmesan cheese finely grated
- ½ tsp Kosher salt
- ½ tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C, according to your manufactures instructions
- Trim the ends of your asparagus spears and place them in a large bowl. Add olive oil, garlic, vegetarian grated Parmesan cheese, kosher salt, and black pepper, and toss to combine1 lb Asparagus, 1 tbsp Olive oil, 1 clove Garlic, ⅓ cup Vegetarian Parmesan cheese, ½ tsp Kosher salt, ½ tsp Black pepper
- Place the trimmed asparagus spears in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Sprinkle, any excess grated Parmesan cheese on the spears. Air fry for approximately 6 to 7 minutes, shake the air fryer basket halfway through to ensure even cooking, cook until they are golden brown
- Remove from your air fryer, optional: sprinkle a little more grated parmesan cheese, and freshly squeezed lemon juice, and serve immediately. Enjoy your delicious air fryer asparagus!
Notes
- Out of fresh garlic?
Use garlic powder instead - Stringy asparagus?
If your asparagus is stringy, then you’ve most likely overcooked it or it wasn’t fresh to start with, please see the section on how to pick the best asparagus spears - Storage
Store cooked asparagus in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, it’s not suitable for freezing
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
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Genevieve says
So quick, so tasty, and I love the addition of garlic and cheese! I’ll be making this all the time.
Emily says
The texture of the asparagus turned out just how I like it (and I’m really particular). This was really easy. Thanks!
Glenda says
My new favorite way to eat asparagus! The garlic and Parmesan really enhance the earthiness of asparagus. And the fact that I can use the air fryer makes this a quick and easy dinner side. Thanks for sharing the delicious recipe!
MacKenzie says
I love my air fryer and never thought to try asparagus. We tried this recipe last night with our steak and it was a restaurant quality dish.