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Air Fryer Asparagus is an easy vegan side dish that can be made in no time! This Air Fryer recipe will be your favorite way to make roasted asparagus.
Roasting veggies in the Air Fryer is so easy and fast, and my favorite way to add greens to my family’s dinners!
Just like our Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes, and Air Fryer Carrots, this Air Fryer Asparagus recipe is done in less time than in the oven and produces perfectly tender asparagus that still has some bite to it.
Flavor Variations and Toppings
Not only is Asparagus low in calories and full of nutrients and vitamins, but it’s also very versatile. Add some extra flavor by seasoning it with your favorite herbs and toppings.
- Toppings: Roasted pine nuts, toasted chopped pecans, grated parmesan, sauteed sliced garlic, crumbled bacon, a dash of balsamic glaze at the end
- Seasonings: any dried or fresh herbs you like before or after cooking
Julia’s Tips and Tricks
- When you buy Asparagus at the grocery store make sure the stalks are plump and firm, and tips are tightly closed
- Try to find a bunch that has retained some moisture in its base and is not dry and flaky
- Choose stalks of uniform thickness, this way you have more control in the cooking process
- Do not wash asparagus before storing and never soak it
- To store fresh asparagus, wrap the ends in a wet paper towel, place in a loose-fitting plastic bag, and store in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator. If the ends are really dry, cut off about 1/2-inch before storing the asparagus
- Make sure to coat the asparagus tips so they don’t burn or dry out too fast. Oil Spray works best in my experience
- Asparagus is a great source for Vitamin C and A
- Cooked asparagus tastes best served right away, it gets a bit soggy if it’s sitting around for too long but leftovers could be used in a salad or omelet
- This side dish is vegan and vegetarian. It also fits into many diets like Keto, Gluten-free, Whole30, and low carb
- Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model. I recommend starting out with less cook time, checking for doneness, and then adding more time as needed
How to make Asparagus in the Air Fryer
Detailed measurements and instructions can be found at the bottom of the page on the printable recipe card.
- Trim asparagus using one of the methods below. Spray asparagus with olive oil spray or toss with olive oil then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat Air Fryer, then place spears in the basket.
- Air fry for 5-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the spears and how tender you like your asparagus. Serve with a little bit of lemon squeezed on top.
- Another fun way to make Asparagus in the Air Fryer is to wrap three spears in a slice of bacon and fry it in the Air Fryer for 8-10 minutes until the bacon is crispy. (See instructions above)
How to trim it
Asparagus is tender at the tips and hard and woody at the ends so you have to trim off the tough part before cooking. There are two ways to do this:
Snap-Method: Trim off the woody part about 1-inch from the bottom. Grab a stalk at the middle and bottom end, then bend it until it snaps. The Asparagus will snap where the hard part ends.
Knife-Method: Line the spears up on a cutting board then cut off the hard ends where the stalk’s green color starts to fade to white with a chef’s knife.
Variation: Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
- Trim, rinse and season asparagus stalks, following this recipe.
- Wrap one slice of bacon around 3 asparagus stalks and secure with a toothpick.
- Place your wraps in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Cook at 390 F for 8-10 minutes, checking for doneness at least once, and adjusting cook time if needed.
How do you know when asparagus is done
It all depends on how YOU like your asparagus. Thin asparagus, like the shown in the pictures, will take less time to cook, whereas thicker asparagus will need more time. Check the asparagus doneness by piercing the end of a stalk with a fork, it should easily go through.
Looking for more easy Air Fryer Recipes for your favorite vegetable side dishes? Check out my Air Fryer Recipe Collection
I love my Air Fryer, we use it nearly every day and it’s so convenient because it takes only a minute to preheat and cooks everything more evenly and faster than the oven.
You can also use a lot less oil, often just a light spray of oil is enough, and many recipes like Air Fryer Chicken Wings and Air Fryer Bacon don’t need any oil and excess oil just drips off.
Air Fryer Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus, ends trimmed
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, or olive oil spray
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 lemon wedge, optional
Instructions
- Spray asparagus with olive oil spray or toss with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat Air Fryer to 390 degrees F, place asparagus in basket, and air fry for 5-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the spears and how done you like your asparagus. Turn asparagus halfway through cooking.
- Serve with a little bit of lemon squeezed on top.
Notes
- Buy Asparagus: Stalks should be plump and firm, tips are tightly closed, the base should have retained some moisture, stalks should be of uniform thickness
- Store: Do not wash/soak before storing, cut off about 1/2-inch, then wrap the ends in a wet paper towel, place in a loose-fitting plastic bag, and store in the refrigerator
- Oil: Oil Spray works best in my experience
- Toppings: Roasted pine nuts, toasted chopped pecans, grated parmesan, sauteed sliced garlic, crumbled bacon, a dash of balsamic glaze at the end
- Seasonings: any dried or fresh herbs you like before or after cooking
- Make in Advance: Not recommended. Tastes best served right away, will get soggy after sitting around
- Leftovers: Great in a salad or omelet, store in the fridge
- Nutrition: This side dish is vegan and vegetarian. It also fits into many diets like Keto, Gluten-free, Whole30, and low carb
- Cooking Time: Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model. I recommend starting out with less cook time, checking for doneness, and then adding more time as needed
