Air Fryer Asparagus is a healthy side dish that is ready in under 10 minutes. With a bit of oil and garlic, it is super tasty and easy to make!
I recommend to pair air fried asparagus with air fryer chicken breast or air fryer lamb chops.
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I love to make quick and simple vegetable side dishes in my air fryer! Like air fryer broccoli, air fryer cauliflower, and this air fryer asparagus! The results are lightly crisp garlicky air fried asparagus with a tender middle and a more robust flavor than steamed.
You will be able to knock out a fuss free, last-minute vegetable side dish in just 10 minutes. Even roasted asparagus takes 20 minutes!
What Makes This Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe the Best?
- Easy: This recipe takes under 10 minutes.
- Tasty: A bit of fresh garlic, salt and pepper is just a right amount of flavor for these fresh asparagus spears.
- Healthy: Asparagus contains just 20 calories per half cup, packed with fiber, antioxidants and vitamins. Plus just one tablespoon per 4 servings of air fried asparagus!
- Crispy: It is so easy not to overcook asparagus in the air fryer because you can easily check on it.
Ingredients You Will Need
Air fryer asparagus ingredients are so simple! You will be cooking and eating in no time! All you need is just fresh asparagus and make this recipe any time!
- Asparagus: I prefer thicker asparagus spears because they come out more crunchy. My store was out that day.
- Oil: I use extra virgin olive oil, but any neutral cooking oil will work. i.e. avocado oil, coconut oil, etc.
- Seasonings: I use either freshly grated garlic or garlic powder, depending on time. Then just salt and pepper.
How to Make Air Fryer Asparagus
- Trim the asparagus: Snap the woody end off of one spear (it will snap off in the correct place naturally). Then use a sharp knife to cut other spears to the same length.
- Add oil: Transfer the asparagus to a large dish, drizzle with oil and toss to coat.
- Add seasonings: Add fresh garlic or garlic powder, salt, pepper and toss gently more.
- Air fry the asparagus: Transfer the asparagus to your air fryer basket in a single layer, with space in between. Cook at 400 degrees F for 5-7 minutes, depending on how thick the spears are.
Cook the air fried asparagus in batches if necessary. You can always chuck the whole lot back into the air fryer for a minute or two before serving, so they’re warm.
Tips for Best Results
- My air fryer size: I use a large 5.8 quart Cosori air fryer. If yours is smaller, fit as much asparagus as you can, as long as they are in a single layer.
- Use even asparagus spears: This air fryer asparagus recipe works best for spears of a similar thickness. So they cook evenly.
- Always trim the ends: They are tough, stringy, and woody, which no one wants to chew on.
- Avoid overcrowding: If you want the delicious, slightly crisp results, then place the asparagus in the air fryer in a single layer, with some space between. This will let the airflow around the spears and make them crispy rather than steaming them until soft.
- Timing may vary: Different air fryers, batch size, and asparagus size can all affect the cooking time. Keep an eye on the asparagus in the air fryer the first time you make it to adjust if needed.
Add-In’s and Substitutions
This versatile side pairs with tons of seasonings and additional ingredients. Here are just a few of my favorite ways to enjoy this nutritious green!
- Lemon: Squeeze some fresh lemon juice (and optionally add a small amount of lemon zest) over the air fried asparagus before serving for a zingy, bright flavor.
- Spice: A pinch of red pepper flakes or chili/cayenne powder would work, to taste.
- Parmesan cheese: Add 1-2 tbsp freshly grated parmesan. I like to add 1 tablespoon after cooking. Combine that with a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Fresh herbs: Several herbs pair wonderfully with asparagus, including fresh parsley, mint, chives, dill, lemon balm, tarragon, etc.
- Balsamic: Drizzle with about a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar before air frying.
- Butter: A small pat of lightly salted butter melted over the air fried asparagus tastes wonderful!
FAQs
There’s no need as long as you give it a good rinse to eliminate any lurking grit.
Roasting asparagus in the oven takes 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the stalks. In comparison, how to cook asparagus in air fryer requires just 5-7 minutes.
Make sure to break off the bottoms to remove this part of the spears, and try to use the freshest asparagus possible. The longer asparagus is stored, the stringier/more woody it becomes.
I recommend using neutral cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as coconut oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil. I also often use extra virgin olive oil (with a smoke point of 375F) for recipes up to 400F and have had no issues so far.
Avoid aerosol cooking spray like non-stick Pam, though, as they wear away the non-stick coating in your air fryer basket. Instead, using an oil mister is best.
What to Serve Air Fryer Asparagus With?
To say that this air fryer asparagus recipe is versatile would be an understatement. Here are just a few of my top recommendations (along with eating them as a healthy snacks!)
- Pasta: Air fryer asparagus also pairs well with healthy mac and cheese, Instant Pot lasagna or healthy chicken alfredo.
- Grains: Serve asparagus with a side of Instant Pot brown rice or Mediterranean quinoa salad.
- Meat: Serve alongside the protein of your choice, such as Instant Pot whole chicken, sirloin tip roast, or during the holidays with boneless leg of lamb roast.
- Seafood: Asparagus pairs well alongside teriyaki salmon and lemon butter baked cod.
I also enjoy them alongside an Instant Pot baked potatoes, with all my favorite toppings. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Let me know in the comments what your favorite ways of enjoying this asparagus side are!
How to Store Air Fried Asparagus
Make ahead: You can rinse and trim the asparagus up to 24 hours before seasoning and cooking it.
Top Tip on How To Store Asparagus
Add the asparagus spears to a jar with 1-2 inches of water, then place that inside a Ziploc bag. This will help to keep them fresher for several additional days.
Storing: Store any leftover air fried asparagus in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days for the best flavor/texture.
I prefer not to freeze the leftovers, as I find they go limp upon thawing. However, technically you can for 4-6 months.
Reheat: For the best texture, reheat the air fryer asparagus in the air fryer at 300F/150C for 3-4 minutes, or until warm. You could also lightly pan fry the asparagus OR chop it into small pieces to mix it directly into stovetop dishes like pasta, grain dishes, etc.
More Air Fryer Recipes to Try
Crispy Air Fryer Asparagus with Garlic
Ingredients
- 1 lb asparagus washed & drained well
- 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 2 tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves of garlic grated
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer at 400 F degrees. To trim asparagus, snap the end of one spear and cut remaining asparagus same length with a knife. Usually 2-3" off, that's the chewy stringy part you don't wanna eat.
- Transfer to a rectangular dish, drizzle with olive oil and toss with your hands. Sprinkle with garlic powder and toss gently again. Finally sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss a few more times.
- Transfer asparagus into the basket of air fryer leveling into a single layer. Air fry at 400 degrees F for 5 – 7 minutes depending on its thickness.
- Serve immediately as a side dish.
Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Make ahead: Refrigerate seasoned asparagus in an airtight container for up to 24 hours and then cook as per recipe.
Reheat: Reheat air fried asparagus in air fryer at 300 degrees F for 3-4 minutes or until warm.
Video
Nutrition
Recipes and images are a copyright of ifoodreal.com. It is against the law to republish recipes without permission. Nutritional info is approximate.
Hi Olena,
Just checking in, knowing that this might be a really hard time for you and your family and the people in your country of birth. I’ve been trying to think what, if the same thing were happening here, what we would be doing, how we would be reacting, what preparations we might have made, what actions we would be taking now. It’s unthinkable .. and yet, Ukrainians are not only acting but acting with dignity. No need to approve this, I just wanted to reach out. God be with you …
Thank you!!! We Ukrainians do not give up easily in any fight.
Yum! I had never tried asparagus in my air fryer, turned out crispy and amazing!
Yeah for trying something new! Glad you enjoyed it.