Here is an easy way to cook asparagus and turn it into a healthy, delicious side dish. This Air Fryer Asparagus is perfectly seasoned and cooks quickly while keeping it tender-crisp.
Roasting veggies in the air fryer has been a great way to add side dishes to our meals - Beets, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Green Beans - you name it, I have done it all. And my family loves them.
Roasting this asparagus in the air fryer takes just 8 minutes and the asparagus is crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.
This air-fryer roasted asparagus is vegan and gluten-free. It makes it a great addition to almost all types of diet- low-carb, keto, whole30, and paleo.
The one great thing about this recipe is that it can be used as an appetizer, healthy snack, or quick side dish at any time of the day.
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Asparagus Nutrition
Here is fun fact about this veggie, the name asparagus comes from the Greek word meaning sprout or shoot.
Asparagus, a spring-time veggie comes loaded with so many health benefits:
- It is well-balanced nutritionally and is high in folic acid
- It is a low-calorie veggie that come with high dose of nutrients
- It is a good source of antioxidants and improves digestion
- It lowers blood pressure and is must veggie for pregnant moms
If you like asparagus, check out my asparagus soup and the creamy lemon asparagus pasta and lemon asparagus risotto.
If you love roasting veggies in the air fryer, check out this collection for 25+ Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes.
Why you'll love this Air Fryer Asparagus
- Perfectly cooked tender-crisp asparagus
- Easy to make
- Takes just 10 minutes
- Healthy side dish for any entree
- Low carb, vegan, gluten-free and paleo
Tips to Prepare Asparagus
As asparagus is a stalk, it has a tough, woody ends that are hard and not edible. You can snap or chop the thicker end while prepping. Once you have removed the hard part, rinse the asparagus well and pat dry using a kitchen towel.
Once it is completely dry, toss in oil and seasoning until they are well-coated.
I like to add some garlic powder, salt and freshly ground black pepper, along with balsamic vinegar. You can also add some lemon juice in place of the balsamic.
How to Roast Asparagus in the Air Fryer?
Before you get started with roasting the asparagus, get them ready by using these steps:
- Trim the hard end of the asparagus, it is usually up to an inch from the bottom. Rinse and dry with a kitchen towel.
- Place the asparagus onto a plate and drizzle the required amount of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and seasonings.
- Toss them all well, till they are well coated, and then transfer them to the air-fryer basket.
- Try to place them in a single layer for even cooking.
- Set the air fryer at 380°F for 7-10 minutes and shake the basket halfway through. It took me 8 minutes to get them perfectly roasted.
- Once the time is up, remove the basket and serve the asparagus with toppings of your choice.
Pro-tip: If the asparagus stalks are thin, then cook for just 4-5 minutes. For medium stalks, cook for 6-7 minutes, and for thicker 7-10 minutes.
How to Cook Asparagus in the Oven?
Follow the same steps us above to prep asparagus and pre-heat the oven to 425°F.
- Line the seasoned asparagus in a large sheet pan. If you want, you can add the olive oil, salt, and seasonings directly to the sheet pan and spread the asparagus.
- Roast them for 10-12 minutes just until they are tender-crisp. You can turn them once halfway through.
Variations
Add parmesan cheese: You can sprinkle some parmesan just before air frying.
Asian twist: Add some soy sauce and maple syrup for a delicious asian twist.
Add red pepper flakes: You can also add some red pepper flakes or smoked paprika for a slightly spice flavor. Sriracha or red chili paste would work too.
How to Serve?
Serve asparagus as a healthy side dish with any entree. It would also work great to be added to a salad or pasta.
Serve this roasted asparagus as a side with minestrone soup or lemon chicken orzo soup.
How to Store?
Ideally you want to make just as much needed, as Air Fryer Asparagus is to quick and easy to cook.
If you have leftovers, let them cool, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it, but it does not stay as crisp when reheated. It would work well for soup.
Reheat in the air fryer at 380°F for 2-3 minutes until the asparagus is heated through.
Common Questions
Asparagus cooks very quickly, so it is important to keep an eye and take out the asparagus in time. Else it can get soggy and slimy. Follow the instructions in the recipe to make sure you have perfect tender-crisp asparagus!
Yes, you can cook frozen asparagus, but it won't be as crispy as fresh. Cook at 390°F for 7-9 minutes.
More Air Fryer Vegetables
Hope you enjoy the air fryer roasted asparagus. If you like having delicious air fryer roasted veggies, here are some other recipes:
Air Fryer Asparagus
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound Asparagus woody ends trimmed
- 1 teaspoon Avocado Oil or olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Balsamic Vinegar
- ⅛ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
- Prep: Trim the woody end of the asparagus about an inch up from the bottom. Rinse and dry the asparagus.
- Season: Place the asparagus onto a large plate. Drizzle the olive oil, and balsamic vinegar on top. Add the seasoning then toss around to coat the asparagus.
- Cook: Transfer the asparagus spears into the Air fryer basket. Try to get them in a single layer. Set the air fryer at 380F for 7-10* minutes. Mine were cooked perfectly in 8 minutes. Once the time is up, remove the basket.
- Serve: Transfer to a plate and serve immediately.
Notes
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line the seasoned asparagus in a large sheet pan. If you want, you can add the olive oil, salt, and seasonings directly to the sheet pan and spread the asparagus.
- Roast them for 10-12 minutes just until they are tender-crisp. You can turn them once halfway through.
Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
janeet says
I bought an airfryer to avoid all added oil so I omit the oil and use aquafaba instead. Works! Thank you for the recipe.
Meeta Arora says
Hi Janet - Totally, feel free to reduce or eliminate the oil. I love the air fryer as it is faster and easier to use 😊. Thanks for sharing back your feedback!
Andy says
It is also good if you cook it ahead (I do mine in a convection oven) and serve it dinnertime at room temperature.
Meeta Arora says
Thanks for sharing, Andy!