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Air Fryer Asparagus is sure to be your new favorite way to prepare this seasonal spring vegetable! Cooking asparagus in the air fryer gives you the most tender stalks with golden crispy tips for asparagus that is so good. This side is lightning-quick to make, too, needing just 5 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook.
Table of Contents
- Recipe At a Glance
- Ingredients to Make Air Fryer Asparagus
- Popular Substitutions & Additions
- How to Make Air Fryer Asparagus
- Tips for Making the Best Asparagus in Air Fryer
- What to Serve With Easy Air Fryer Asparagus
- How to Store & Reheat Air Fryer Asparagus
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Air Fryer Side Dish Recipes:
- Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe
Why cook asparagus in the air fryer? It’s a fast way to make perfectly cooked asparagus spears that everyone will love! The air fryer’s quick convection cooking method circulates hot air around the asparagus spears, making the insides tender while creating a crispy outer layer.
If you’re watching your carbs or you’re on the lookout for nutrient-dense recipes, this healthy air fryer asparagus is the answer! Asparagus is naturally low-carb and rich in vitamins and minerals. Plus, the small amount of olive oil in this air fryer asparagus recipe adds healthy fats to the equation.
Recipe At a Glance
Cuisine Inspiration: American
Primary Cooking Method: Air Frying
Dietary Info: Vegan and gluten-free
Key Flavor: Savory; lightly caramelized
Skill Level: Beginner
Summary
- Tender inside with crispy tips: Air fried asparagus stays moist and tender inside without drying out, with a bit of golden caramelized crispiness on the outside and the tips.
- Nutrient-rich: Asparagus is full of minerals, vitamins, fiber, and even some iron!
- Fast and easy to prepare: With a quick prep and cooking time, air fryer asparagus is such an easy veggie side dish or snack.
- Versatile: While this easy air fryer asparagus recipe calls for a simple preparation of salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon, you can easily mix it up by adding herbs, spices, or another citrus.
Ingredients to Make Air Fryer Asparagus
- Asparagus: Look for vibrant, firm stalks that are roughly the same thickness so that they cook evenly.
- Olive oil: Only a tablespoon of olive oil is needed for air frying, a little oil goes a long way.
- Salt & pepper: Just some salt and pepper are all you need for lots of flavor!
- Lemon wedges: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is so good squeezed over the cooked asparagus, and the wedges make a pretty garnish, too.
Popular Substitutions & Additions
- Add spices: Use any of your favorite seasonings to add a punch of flavor to air fryer asparagus. Try a sprinkle of curry powder or a dash of chili powder and cumin.
- Top with fresh herbs: For a nice presentation and added flavor, garnish with a bit of chopped parsley, oregano, basil, or thyme.
- Make a dip for serving: These asparagus spears are perfect for dipping, just like french fries! Try homemade ranch or serve with white bean hummus for an added bit of protein.
- Sprinkle with parmesan: Top cooked air fryer asparagus with some freshly grated parmesan for a boost of cheesy, umami flavor.
How to Make Air Fryer Asparagus
- Trim the woody ends off of the asparagus and place in a bowl.
- Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to evenly distribute.
- Lay the asparagus in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer.
- Cook until crisp-tender and lightly golden on the tips.
Tips for Making the Best Asparagus in Air Fryer
- To trim the asparagus, first snap the woody end off of one, then use it as a guide. Grab a stalk with two hands, one hand at the base and another in the middle. Bend the spear until it snaps. It will naturally break at the correct spot. Discard the woody end, and you have a perfect stalk of asparagus ready to cook! To trim the remainder, place the bunch on your cutting board and use the trimmed spear as a guide for where to trim the rest of the asparagus.
- Cook asparagus in a single layer. This helps ensure the hot air circulates around each asparagus spear for evenly cooked, perfectly tender asparagus.
- Consider adjusting the cooking time if you have thin or thick asparagus. If you have extra thick asparagus or thinner than usual spears, you may want to adjust the cooking time–a couple less minutes for thinner and a couple extra minutes for thicker.
- Wash and trim asparagus ahead of time for even easier prep. If you’re meal-prepping, trim your asparagus beforehand and store it in the refrigerator. Then, when it’s time to cook them, that’s one less step.
What to Serve With Easy Air Fryer Asparagus
How to Store & Reheat Air Fryer Asparagus
Store any leftover asparagus in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, you can give them a few seconds in the microwave, or place them back in the air fryer for a couple of minutes. Just keep a close eye so they don’t overcook.
How Long Will Air Fryer Asparagus Last in the Fridge?
Air fryer asparagus will last 3-4 days in the fridge.
Can I Freeze Air Fried Asparagus?
No, I don’t recommend freezing air fryer asparagus. Freezing can affect the texture of the asparagus, making it mushy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use another neutral oil such as avocado oil.
Any size air fryer will do, just make sure your asparagus is in a single layer on the rack. If you have a smaller capacity air fryer, this may mean you need to cook your asparagus in batches.
Yes, I recommend preheating your air fryer to 380°F before adding the asparagus. This is because air fryers can differ in how fast they heat up, and starting the asparagus at a consistent temperature helps ensure more reliable results.
This healthy air fryer asparagus is such an easy and tasty way to cook asparagus! Crisp-tender inside, golden outside, and delicious all around, air fried asparagus will have everyone eating their vegetables and wanting more. Whether you make a batch as a side for lunch or dinner or you’re just craving a healthy French-fry-like snack, this air fryer asparagus recipe is one you’ll want to make again and again.
More Air Fryer Side Dish Recipes:
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Air Fryer Vegetables
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Air Fryer Baked Potato
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fryer Potatoes
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Air Fryer Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Lemon wedged, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat an air fryer to 380ºF.
- Prepare the asparagus by trimming their woodsy ends.
- Place the asparagus in a large bowl along with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
- Transfer the asparagus to the air fryer and shake the basket to make sure they’re in a single layer. You may need to cook in two batches. Cook until crisp tender, shaking the basket halfway through, for 8-10 minutes total. The asparagus will continue to soften after finished cooking so make sure not to overcook.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice on top and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
