Air fryer asparagus is an easy and healthy vegetable side dish that goes perfectly alongside any meal!
Say goodbye to limp, soggy asparagus spears. This air fryer recipe creates ultra-crispy and flavorful stalks that are so delicious.
Air fryer asparagus cooks in 10 minutes in the air fryer and tastes like it came from a restaurant.
Once you make it, it’ll become a staple in your meal rotation!
Easy Air Fryer Asparagus
No one likes soggy asparagus. Is there anything more depressing? Thankfully, the air fryer creates a crispy crunch on the outside with tender insides.
Seriously, there’s nothing better than slightly charred and crisp asparagus tips. I could eat a bucket of them!
With the perfect amount of fresh herbs, the flavors are out of this world. I also threw in a little bit of cheese, because cheese makes everything better.
With your air fryer, you can control the temperature for the best asparagus you’ve ever had.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you need for this air fryer asparagus recipe.
- Asparagus spears – For this recipe, you’ll want fresh asparagus that crisps up like a dream. I like selecting asparagus slightly thicker than a pencil for crispy edges and tender insides.
- Olive oil – Don’t worry, you don’t need a lot of oil. You need enough to get all the seasoning to stick and help the crisping process. I find olive oil has the best flavor.
- Salt and black pepper – A dash of salt and pepper brings on the flavor.
- Minced garlic – Skip the stuff in the jar and mince fresh garlic for the best flavor. There’s nothing better than freshly grated garlic!
- Fresh rosemary – The earthy flavors of asparagus and rosemary go together like peas and carrots. I highly suggest opting for fresh rosemary because it’s much more aromatic.
- Lemon zest – You need a little acidity with the earthy flavor of asparagus and rich herbs. Lemon zest is enough to lift all those flavors and keep everything nice and bright.
- Parmesan cheese – You don’t have to add Parmesan cheese, but it adds a certain something extra. The nuttiness from the cheese pairs so well with asparagus!
How to Make Air Fryer Asparagus
Your air fryer does all the heavy lifting in this recipe. All you need to do is prepare the veggies, and pop them into the air fryer! Simply follow these steps:
1. Prepare. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Prep the fresh asparagus. Wash the asparagus under cool water, and then chop off the tough ends. Dry thoroughly, and set aside.
3. Season. In a large bowl, toss the asparagus in olive oil, salt, pepper, rosemary, garlic, and lemon.
4. Air fry. Arrange the asparagus in a single layer in the air fryer, and cook for 7-10 minutes.
5. Get cheesy (optional). During the last 2 minutes in the air fryer, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
6. Serve. Air fryer asparagus is best served hot! Plate, serve, and dig in!
Tips and Tricks
Here are a few quick tips and tricks to help create restaurant-quality asparagus at home.
- Snap those ends. Every asparagus stalk has a natural break point. When you snap it, it automatically removes the tough, woody end. Plus, snapping asparagus is so much more satisfying than trimming!
- Give it room to breathe. Remember, we want fried asparagus, not steamed. If you overcrowd the basket, you won’t get those delicious crispy ends. Give the asparagus plenty of room in the air fryer. If you have to, work in smaller batches for the best results.
- Check your cooking time. Your asparagus may need more or less time in the fryer depending upon its thickness. Pencil-like asparagus needs about 3-4 minutes, while thick marker-like asparagus needs more time.
Recipe Variations
Want to jazz up this simple side for a holiday party or a family fest? I have a few amazing variations below. Spoiler: bacon makes an appearance!
- Parmesan – There are two ways to add Parmesan cheese. Toss asparagus in the cheese before it hits the fryer for a crispy crust. If you are team melty-cheese, add the cheese in the last few minutes of cooking in the air fryer.
- Balsamic – Lemon juice is a great way to add acidity, but balsamic works, too! Adding balsamic vinegar adds a kiss of sweetness that pairs well with rich herbs and spices.
- Italian – Making veggies for spaghetti and meatballs night? Try adding a teaspoon of an Italian seasoning blend for more flavor.
- Bacon-wrapped – Now we’re talking! Before hitting the air fryer, wrap each stalk with bacon. The flavors from the bacon seep into the asparagus for a bold, smoky flavor. It’s not exactly healthy, but it’s delicious.
What to Serve with Air-Fried Asparagus
Air fryer asparagus is great as a side for proteins or an amazing appetizer.
For dinner, I like to serve this recipe alongside heart-healthy salmon, or juicy pork chops. You can even get fancy and try this recipe for stuffed pork chops!
As a party appetizer, fried asparagus is made for dipping sauces. Try it with simple sauces like ranch dip (with bacon!), Velveeta sausage dip, or Knorr spinach dip.
How to Store
Air fryer asparagus tastes best when enjoyed right out of the air fryer. If you have any leftovers, here are a few tips on how to store it:
- To Store: Allow the asparagus to come to room temperature. Then, transfer to an air-tight container or freezer bag. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- To Freeze: You can freeze this recipe, but it won’t crisp up the same. Place the asparagus in a freezer bag to stay fresh for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight.
- To Reheat: The air fryer to the rescue! To reheat asparagus, pop it back in the air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through. Or, you can place it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warm.
Air Fryer Asparagus
4
servings10
minutes10
minutes86
kcalAir fryer asparagus is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and oh-so-easy. Plus, it’s a super healthy side to serve with dinner.
Ingredients
1 pound asparagus spears
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
Optional: 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°Fahrenheit (200°Celsius).
- Wash the asparagus and trim off the tough ends.
- Toss the asparagus with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary, and lemon zest in a large mixing bowl.
- Place the asparagus in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Cook for 7-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the asparagus, until it’s tender and slightly crispy.
- Optionally, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the asparagus in the last 2 minutes of cooking.
- Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Notes
- Cooking times by asparagus spear thickness:
Thin (like a pencil): 3-4 minutes
Medium (between a pencil and marker): 5 minutes
Thick (like a marker): 6-7 minutes - If you prefer your asparagus more tender, cook for an additional minute or two.
- Try additional herbs and spices like thyme, oregano, dill, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, etc. They can be fresh or dried.
- Garnish with additional lemon zest, balsamic vinegar, or rosemary before serving.
