Air Fryer Asparagus (Easy 10 Minute Recipe!)
Air fryer asparagus is not just a quick and easy side dish; it’s a game-changer for your meal plans. This recipe transforms fresh asparagus into a delicious, healthy snack or side that’s packed with flavor. It’s perfect for those who love to enjoy a low carb, nutritious vegetable with minimal effort and maximum taste.
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I’m excited to share my air fryer asparagus recipe with you! With 40 years of cooking experience, I’ve mastered the art of simple, delicious, and healthy meals. This recipe is a perfect example – easy enough for beginners yet tasty enough for any food lover. Whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian, or just trying to eat less meat, this dish is sure to hit the spot. Let’s get cooking!
Why You Will Love Making Air Fryer Asparagus
If you’re wondering why air fryer asparagus should be a staple in your rota, let me break it down for you. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with it:
- Quick and Easy: Ready in a snap, it takes less than 10 minutes to transform raw asparagus into a crispy, golden treat. Perfect for busy days!
- Healthy Choice: Asparagus is low in calories but high in vitamins and fiber. Air frying also uses less oil, making it a healthier cooking method.
- Versatile: This recipe works great as a side dish for various meals, be it a fancy dinner or a casual lunch.
- Delicious Flavor: The mix of garlic, Parmesan, and lemon juice creates a mouth-watering blend that enhances the natural taste of asparagus.
- Kid-Friendly: Even the pickiest eaters will be tempted by these crispy, cheesy asparagus spears.
- Great for Special Diets: Suitable for vegetarian, gluten-free, and keto diets, and with a tweak, it can be made vegan too!
Ingredients you’ll need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Roast Asparagus in the Air Fryer with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Cooking asparagus in an air fryer is a breeze, and I’m here to guide you through each step. Trust me, it’s so simple yet so rewarding!
Preheat Your Air Fryer
Start by heating your air fryer to 400°F/200°C. This helps the asparagus cook evenly and gets that perfect crispiness.
Prepare the Asparagus
Trim the woody ends off your asparagus spears. This part of the stalks can be tough and isn’t nice to eat. Place the trimmed asparagus in a large bowl.
Seasoning
Add olive oil, minced garlic, finely grated vegetarian Parmesan cheese, kosher salt, and black pepper to the bowl. To make this vegan, you can opt for a plant-based parmesan, or skip this ingredient. Toss everything together so the asparagus spears are evenly coated with the seasoning.
Cooking
Arrange the asparagus in the air fryer basket in a single layer. This helps them cook evenly. Sprinkle any leftover Parmesan from the bowl over the top. Air fry for about 6-7 minutes. Halfway through, give the basket a shake to ensure even cooking.
Finishing Touches & Serve!
Once they’re golden brown and crispy, take your asparagus out of the air fryer. For an extra zing, sprinkle a bit more grated Parmesan and some freshly squeezed lemon juice over them. Enjoy your delicious, crispy air fryer asparagus right away. It’s best when it’s fresh out of the air fryer!
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
To make your air fryer asparagus even better, here are some pro tips and notes to keep in mind:
- Freshness Matters: Always choose fresh asparagus for the best results. They should be bright green and firm to the touch.
- Size Variation: If your asparagus spears are very thick, they might need an extra minute or two in the air fryer to achieve the right tenderness.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Overcrowding the basket will prevent the asparagus from crisping up nicely. Cook in batches if needed.
- Garlic Powder Swap: No fresh garlic? No worries! You can use a teaspoon garlic powder instead.
- Cheese Options: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese. Cheddar, Pepper Jack, or even some Stilton are great options!
- Is air fryer asparagus vegan? This recipe can be easily adapted to be vegan. Simply skip the Parmesan cheese or replace it with a vegan alternative.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of chili flakes or your favorite spice mix to the olive oil for a bit of heat.
- Herby goodness: Garnishing with fresh herbs like parsley or basil can really make the flavors sing!
- Lemon Zest: For an extra lemony kick, add some lemon zest to the seasoning mix.
- Can I use frozen asparagus for this recipe? While fresh asparagus is ideal for texture and flavor, you can use frozen asparagus. Just remember, it might not get as crispy as fresh asparagus.
- Can I make this recipe without an air fryer? Yes, you can roast the asparagus in the oven. The texture might be slightly different, but it’ll still be delicious. Roast at 400°F/200°C for about 12-15 minutes.
- Can I add other vegetables to the air fryer along with the asparagus? Yes, you can! Just make sure to choose vegetables that have similar cooking times. Bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes can be great additions.
How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Asparagus
Got some leftovers? No problem! Here’s how to keep your air fryer asparagus delicious for later:
- Airtight Container: Let the asparagus cool to room temperature before storing, and then store the cooled asparagus in an airtight container.
- Refrigerate: Keep your stored asparagus in the refrigerator. They’ll stay good for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, simply pop them back in the air fryer for a couple of minutes to bring back the crispiness. Microwaving is not recommended as it can make them limp.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Asparagus
Air fryer asparagus is super versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas to inspire your next meal:
With Protein
Asparagus and protein are a match made in heaven. Try serving your air fryer asparagus alongside a juicy slice of Vegan Nut Roast, or even a hearty slice of quiche. If you’re into mock meats, a well-seasoned veggie burger or seitan cutlet can also be a fantastic pairing. The simplicity of the asparagus complements the richness of the protein perfectly.
As a Side to Pasta
Air fryer asparagus can be a fantastic side dish to your favorite pasta. Whether it’s a zingy Lemon Pasta or a simple Penne Alla Vodka, the roasted flavor of the asparagus adds a lovely dimension to the dish.
In a Wrap or Sandwich
For a quick and satisfying lunch, add air fryer asparagus to wraps or sandwiches. Their unique texture and taste can really elevate a simple meal. Pair them with hummus, avocado, roasted carrots, and sprouts for a delicious veggie wrap.
More Air Fryer Recipes You Will Love
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
- Mexican-Style Air Fryer Corn on the Cob (Elote)
- Air Fryer Zucchini
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Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe
Utensils
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ⅓ cup vegetarian Parmesan cheese finely grated
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C, according to the manufacturer's 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 combine.1 pound asparagus, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 clove garlic, ⅓ cup vegetarian Parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon 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, and 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
- Freshness Matters: Always choose fresh asparagus for the best results. They should be bright green and firm to the touch.
- Size Variation: If your asparagus spears are very thick, they might need an extra minute or two in the air fryer.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Overcrowding the basket will prevent the asparagus from crisping up nicely. Cook in batches if needed.
- Garlic Powder Swap: No fresh garlic? No worries! You can use a teaspoon of garlic powder instead.
- Cheese Options: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese. Cheddar, Pepper Jack, or even some Stilton are great options!
- Is air fryer asparagus vegan? This recipe can be easily adapted to be vegan. Simply skip the Parmesan cheese or replace it with a vegan alternative.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of chili flakes or your favorite spice mix to the olive oil for a bit of heat.
- Lemon Zest: For an extra lemony kick, add some lemon zest to the seasoning mix.
- Can I use frozen asparagus for this recipe? While fresh asparagus is ideal for texture and flavor, you can use frozen asparagus. Just remember, it might not get as crispy as fresh asparagus.
- Can I make this recipe without an air fryer? Yes, you can roast the asparagus in the oven. The texture might be slightly different, but it’ll still be delicious. Roast at 400°F/200°C for about 12-15 minutes.
- Can I add other vegetables to the air fryer along with the asparagus? Yes, you can! Just make sure to choose vegetables that have similar cooking times. Bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes can be great additions.
Storage & Reheating
- Airtight Container: Let the asparagus cool to room temperature before storing, and then store the cooled asparagus in an airtight container.
- Refrigerate: Keep your stored asparagus in the refrigerator. They’ll stay good for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, simply pop them back in the air fryer for a couple of minutes to bring back the crispiness. Microwaving is not recommended as it can make them limp.
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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So quick, so tasty, and I love the addition of garlic and cheese! I’ll be making this all the time.
The texture of the asparagus turned out just how I like it (and I’m really particular). This was really easy. Thanks!
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!
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.