Air Fryer Asparagus
This ultra-crispy Air Fryer Asparagus requires just 5 ingredients and will be on your table with less than 10 minutes of cooking time! The air fryer, a little oil, and spices are all that’s needed to turn asparagus into a top-notch healthy and easy side dish.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe
- Crispy Yet Tender. Between Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, Air Fryer Cauliflower, and Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, the air fryer has given us new, crispy versions of our favorite veggies. This air fried asparagus is swoon-worthy, with a crispy outside and perfectly tender interior.
- So Versatile. Like my Grilled Asparagus and Roasted Asparagus, this air fryer asparagus will pair well with anything you serve it with. You can vary the seasonings on the asparagus, add cheese (air fryer asparagus with Parmesan is our favorite), or enjoy simple asparagus with salt and pepper.
- Quick. Air fry asparagus time is 6 to 8 minutes at 400 degrees F, depending upon the thickness of your stalks and your air fryer model. (I make air fryer recipes in my Ninja air fryer.) That means you can have a healthy side dish on the table, stat.
- Fresh, Delicious, and Healthy. While I love Oven Roasted Vegetables, sometimes I want to use less oil. The air fryer needs very little oil to crisp foods and it also results in air fried asparagus that tastes vibrant and fresh.
5 Star Review
“I really enjoyed asparagus before I was just frying it in a pan with butter. But after seeing this recipe and trying it, I am absolutely IN LOVE with this. I will never do my asparagus differently.”
— Fiona —
How to Make Air Fryer Asparagus
The Ingredients
- Asparagus. The main event! Packed with fiber and vitamin A, asparagus is healthy and low carb.
- Olive Oil. Helps the asparagus crisp and adds flavor. A little oil is all you need for vegetables in the air fryer.
- Salt + Pepper. Simple seasonings that let the asparagus shine.
- Dried Thyme. Deliciously earthy and savory.
- Parmesan. Finishing your asparagus with Parmesan is optional, but I’d be remiss if I (and Air Fryer Zucchini and Air Fryer Green Beans) didn’t share how truly tasty it is.
- Lemon Juice. While optional, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds wonderful brightness and acidity to air fried asparagus.
- Red Pepper Flakes. Another optional addition. We enjoy the tiny kick.
The Directions
- Prep the Asparagus. Snap off the woody stems.
- Toss. Coat the asparagus in the oil and spices.
- Make a Single Layer. This helps the asparagus crisp up better.
- Air Fry. Air fry asparagus at 400 degrees F for 6 to 8 minutes, tossing halfway. Add desired toppings and ENJOY!
Recipe Variations
- Spicy Air Fryer Asparagus. If you’re a fan of spice, use extra red pepper flakes.
- Italian Air Fryer Asparagus. Add 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning to the asparagus.
- Air Fryer Asparagus With Bacon. Take a note from Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, and use bacon to add flavor to your asparagus. Crumble Baked Bacon in the Oven or Air Fryer Bacon over your cooked asparagus.
- Garlicky Air Fryer Asparagus. Add Roasted Garlic to your finished asparagus or add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon garlic powder to your seasoning mix.
- Balsamic Air Fryer Asparagus. Toss the asparagus with balsamic vinegar before cooking. This would be tasty with Parmesan too.
- Air Fryer Asparagus with Herbs. Finish the asparagus with a sprinkle of chopped basil, thyme, dill, or parsley.
- Air Fryer Asparagus with Soy Sauce. Toss the asparagus with soy sauce before cooking. Reduce the salt to start, since soy sauce is salty.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Refrigerate asparagus in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- To Reheat. Gently rewarm asparagus in the oven on a baking sheet at 350 degrees F or reheat in the air fryer.
- To Freeze. Freeze asparagus in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Meal Prep Tip
You can cut asparagus ahead of time. Up to 1 day in advance, snap the woody stems off of the asparagus spears. Refrigerate them until you’re ready to finish the recipe.
Leftover Ideas
Leftover asparagus can be repurposed for Pasta Primavera, Roasted Vegetable Salad, or Scrambled Egg Toast with Roasted Asparagus (swap the air fryer asparagus).
What to Serve with Air Fried Asparagus
- Seafood. Air fryer asparagus and salmon is one of our favorite pairings, but it would also be tasty with other fish or shrimp. Try it with Air Fryer Salmon, Garlic Butter Shrimp, Broiled Salmon, or Baked Cod.
- Meat. Pair this air fryer asparagus recipe with Grilled Chicken Thighs, Pecan Crusted Chicken, or Crockpot Pork Roast.
- Pasta. Asparagus is delicious with pasta dishes like Chicken Alfredo Bake, Garlic Pasta, or Sun Dried Tomato Pasta.
- Other Veggies. Air Fryer Broccoli and asparagus are a winning combo! Grilled Portobello Mushrooms or Grilled Cauliflower Steaks would be scrumptious with this asparagus too.
- Dip. If you enjoy munching on crispy asparagus as a healthy snack (me too!), then you’ll love dipping it into Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip or Green Goddess Dressing.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Air Fryer. The air fryer I own and love!
- Citrus Juicer. My most-loved simple kitchen gadget.
- Mixing Bowls. This is the perfect set of mixing bowls.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Snap, Don’t Trim. When you bend asparagus near the end of the stem, it will naturally break precisely where the spear starts to get tough. It’s like a gift from Mother Nature to help you make perfect air fryer asparagus!
- Give Your Asparagus Some Space. Like moody teenagers, asparagus needs its space. If it’s packed into the basket too tightly, it won’t get crispy. Cook your air fried asparagus in at least two batches, or more if needed.
- Don’t Overcook It. If there’s one thing that’ll ruin asparagus, it’s overcooking. Follow the suggested cook times listed and watch it carefully. Checking the color and tenderness is how you know when asparagus is fully cooked. Asparagus should be bright green and crisp-tender when cooked.
- Season It Up. Whether you want something simple and classic (salt and pepper is always right) or something bold and fun (see some fun ideas in the “Recipe Variations” section above), just make sure you season your asparagus. The seasonings take this recipe to the next level!
- Through Thick and Thin. Whether you need to know how long to cook thick asparagus in an air fryer or how long to cook thin asparagus in an air fryer, this recipe has you covered! While we enjoy our asparagus on the thicker side, which usually takes 6 to 8 minutes, thin asparagus may be done after just 4 minutes in the air fryer.
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Air Fryer Asparagus
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Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus (I prefer the thickest stalk I can find)
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese optional
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice optional
- Pinch red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
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Snap off the hard, woody ends of the asparagus by gently bending it a few inches from the stem end. The asparagus will naturally snap at the proper place. Discard the stems and place the stalks in a large mixing bowl.
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Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil, then sprinkle with the salt, pepper, and thyme. Toss to coat.
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Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Arrange half of the asparagus in the air fryer basket in an even layer.
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Air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, tossing once halfway through. If your spears are super thin, start checking at 4 minutes to make sure they don't burn. Repeat with remaining asparagus (if you like, you can keep batches warm in the oven). Sprinkle the Parmesan over the top and toss to coat once more. Serve hot, with a squeeze of lemon juice and pinch of red pepper flakes as desired.
Video
Notes
- TO STORE: Refrigerate asparagus in an airtight storage container for up to 5 days.
- TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm leftovers on a baking sheet in the oven at 350°F or in the microwave.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze asparagus in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you do not need to soak asparagus before cooking it. This recipe will cook the asparagus perfectly without any need for blanching.
The texture of cooked asparagus should be crisp yet tender. If your asparagus turns out soggy and stringy, it’s likely overcooked. Asparagus does get softer the longer you cook, and it can overcook very quickly. Make sure you keep an eye on it (especially if your spears are very thin). Another cause of mushy asparagus is that you may have crowded too much during cooking.
If you prefer to make asparagus in air fryer with butter or avocado oil, you can swap one of them for the olive oil. (The butter option would be scrumptious with garlic added too.)
You can air fry asparagus without oil, but it’s more likely to burn. We found that a little oil added wonderful flavor and helped keep the asparagus from burning.
I think you could try it, but it won’t turn out as crispy. Fresh asparagus is the best choice for this recipe. Not letting the asparagus get watery is how you keep asparagus crispy, and frozen vegetables inherently release liquid during cooking.
No, you do not need to shave asparagus before cooking. I recommend cleaning the asparagus well to remove any dirt (this is why you soak asparagus in water or rinse it) and snapping off the woody ends, but that’s it!
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