Make perfectly crispy and tender air fryer asparagus in under 10 minutes with this easy recipe! It’s a quick, healthy side dish that pairs well with just about any meal.
I’m seriously hooked on using my air fryer for as many recipes as possible… potatoes, eggs, chicken (we love my air fryer chicken cutlets), or my air fryer salmon bites… you name it! I just love how things turn out when you air fry, especially veggies. And air fryer asparagus is no exception!
The asparagus cooks up in under 10 minutes and comes out crispy and tender. It’s seriously addicting, I could easily eat the whole batch to myself (and may or may not have already done that!)
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super simple – Toss your asparagus with oil and seasonings, and let the air fryer handle the rest!
- Versatile – Perfect as a side for almost any main dish, but it also works great as a healthy snack.
- Crispy goodness – You’ll end up with crispy, deliciously addicting asparagus every time.
- Low-carb & low-calorie – Asparagus is a fantastic option for volume eaters, making it a guilt-free addition to any meal!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this easy air fryer asparagus recipe!
- asparagus – 1 bunch of fresh asparagus. Look for spears that are straight, firm to the touch, and have a rich color with a small amount of white at the bottom. Avoid stalks that appear soft, wilted or are faded in color.
- olive oil – avocado oil would also work.
- seasonings – garlic powder, salt and black pepper.
- parmesan – I love sprinkling fresh parmesan cheese on top to add a little flavor and I love the crunchiness it adds once it cooks up. If you need this recipe to be vegan or dairy-free simply skip the cheese!
- lemon – a squeeze of fresh lemon adds beautiful acidity to the overall dish but it’s optional and delicious without it!
Recipe Variations
I love these asparagus just as they are, but here are a few ideas to switch up the flavors:
- Spicy – Add some red pepper flakes or Sriracha for a touch of spice!
- Sweet + spicy – Go for a sweet and spicy combo by drizzling with honey (or maple syrup) and sprinkling with red pepper flakes.
- Sesame – Give your asparagus an Asian flare and add soy sauce, tamari or coconut aminos and sesame seeds.
- Bacon bits – Make some tempeh bacon or coconut bacon (or the real deal!), chop into small pieces and top your asparagus with bacon ‘bits’ for some umami flavor!
- Balsamic vinegar – Simply drizzle some balsamic vinegar for an extra boost of flavor.
How to Make Air Fryer Asparagus
Cooking asparagus in an air fryer is so easy! Just follow these four steps for the tastiest, and quickest asparagus you’ve ever had:
Step 1: Start by washing and trimming the asparagus to remove the woody ends.
Step 2: Add spears to a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and seasonings. Toss to fully coat.
Step 3: Preheat air fryer if required. Add asparagus to the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Step 4: Cook on 400°F for 7-8 minutes. Serve immediately with a slice of lemon and additional parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper on top, if desired.
Brittany’s Recipe Tips!
- Trim the woody ends: Snap or cut off the tough ends of the asparagus before cooking. The bottom part is fibrous and chewy, so removing it helps ensure a tender bite.
- Choose the right asparagus: Thinner asparagus spears cook faster and get crispier, while thicker asparagus spears take a bit longer and may have a meatier texture. Adjust cook time accordingly!
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Spread the asparagus in a single layer to allow the hot air to circulate properly. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and soggy spears.
- Serve immediately: Air fryer asparagus is best enjoyed fresh. If it sits too long, it may lose its crispiness.
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Asparagus
Your cooked asparagus can be served in a variety of different ways! Here are some serving suggestions:
How to Store & Reheat Asparagus
Chances are, you won’t have any leftovers to store! But if you do, place the asparagus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
To reheat, air fry at 350ºF for 2–3 minutes to restore its crispiness. Avoid microwaving, as this can make the asparagus soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
To achieve crispy air fryer asparagus, make sure to toss the asparagus in a light coating of oil. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this allows hot air to circulate evenly, ensuring crispiness.
Your asparagus is done when it’s golden brown and crispy on the edges but still tender in the middle. Use a fork to check the thickness at the base — if it’s tender and easily pierced, it’s ready. For extra crispiness, you can cook it for another minute or two.
Preheating the air fryer isn’t absolutely necessary, but it can help cook the asparagus more evenly and achieve a crispier texture. If your air fryer has a preheat function, you can use that for best results.
Asparagus tastes the best when the white part of the stalk has been trimmed off. You may or may not know this trick, but hold the asparagus spear in your two hands and bend it near the base. The spear will snap off where the woody part of the stalk ends and the edible stem begins. Alternatively, you can use a knife to cut off the end.
Yes! You can cook frozen asparagus in the air fryer. There’s no need to thaw it first. Simply add the frozen asparagus directly to the basket, increase the cook time by a few minutes (around 12–15 minutes), and check for doneness. You might need a bit more oil to help it crisp up.
If you are roasting asparagus in the oven it will take about 12-15 minutes at 425°F, but if you’re cooking asparagus in the air fryer it’ll cook up in only 7-8 minutes! If you are looking for a recipe on how to make asparagus in the oven I do have a roasted asparagus recipe that you can check out.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Be sure to check out all of the air fryer recipes and side dish recipes here on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below.
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Wash asparagus and break or chop off the tough ends.
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Place the asparagus spears into a mixing bowl and drizzle with the olive oil. Toss to coat the spears, then sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, pepper and parmesan cheese.
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Preheat air fryer if required. Add asparagus to the air fryer in a single layer and cook on 400°F for 7-8 minutes. Note that the cook time will depend on how thick your asparagus is so watch it carefully.
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Serve asparagus immediately with a slice of lemon juice for squeezing and additional parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper on top, if desired.
- Storage: Let the asparagus cool completely before storing in an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days, though it may lose some crispness.
- Substitutions: Not a fan of parmesan or looking for a dairy-free option? You can easily swap it out for nutritional yeast for a cheesy, umami flavor. Be sure to add it after air frying for the best taste! Another great option is vegan parmesan, which will give a similar taste and texture.
Serving: 1/2 recipe | Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 722mg | Potassium: 478mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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