Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe

This Air Fryer Asparagus recipe shows you how to achieve the crispiest spears using just a handful of easy ingredients! With some oil, salt, and black pepper, along with the right technique for trimming and air frying this tasty vegetable, you’re all set!

Jump to:

• Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe
• Table of Contents
• The One Thing You MUST Do!
• Ingredients You’ll Need
• How to Make Air Fryer Asparagus
• Step 1: Trim the Asparagus
• Step 2: Mix the Seasoning
• Step 3: Coat the Asparagus
• Step 4: Cook to Perfection
• Ways to Season Asparagus
• FAQs
• More Air Fryer Recipes
• Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• More Easy Main Dishes Recipes:
• 📖 Recipe Card

Table of Contents

1. The One Thing You MUST Do!
2. Ingredients You’ll Need
3. How to Make Air Fryer Asparagus
4. Ways to Season Asparagus
5. FAQs
6. More Air Fryer Recipes
7. Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe

If you’ve yet to try cooking asparagus in the air fryer, get ready for a fantastic experience. You’ll end up with ultra crispy spears that cook up in less than 10 minutes! That’s right—less time than it takes to roast asparagus, which usually requires about 20 minutes.

You can keep it simple with some oil, salt, and black pepper, or add a twist with additional seasoning options. (Make sure to check below for some ideas!) Regardless of how you season them, you’ll enjoy perfectly crispy tips and tender spears!

The One Thing You MUST Do!

One critical step when air frying asparagus is to properly trim the spears. The tough, woody ends can be fibrous and unpleasant to eat, even if cooked perfectly. Be sure to follow my tips below for trimming asparagus spears accurately before throwing them into the air fryer!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the exact amounts and detailed instructions, please check out the recipe card below.

• Asparagus. One pound of asparagus spears fit perfectly into a 6-quart air fryer. Remember, thinner spears will cook faster, while thicker ones may take a bit longer.
• Oil. Choose between avocado oil or olive oil.
• Garlic. Fresh minced garlic cloves are ideal, but garlic powder can work as a substitute.
• Salt and pepper. Season according to your taste, and don’t forget to check out more seasoning suggestions below!

How to Make Air Fryer Asparagus

Please refer to the recipe card below for the complete instructions, ingredient quantities, and a printable recipe.

Step 1: Trim the Asparagus

The tough end of the spear is difficult to chew. You need to completely remove these woody ends:

• Cut: Look for the point where the light brown end starts to transition to dark green; slice through this area.
• Snap: Grasp one stalk with both hands, placing your thumb at the junction of the light brown and green section. Apply gentle pressure until you find the point where it bends easily, then press until it snaps cleanly in two.

Step 2: Mix the Seasoning

In a large bowl, combine the oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Whisk until everything is well blended.

Step 3: Coat the Asparagus

Add the asparagus to the bowl and toss until every spear is well coated in the garlic mixture.

Step 4: Cook to Perfection

Preheating your air fryer is essential. Set it to 370°F and allow it to warm up for about 3 minutes before placing in the asparagus.

Arrange the asparagus in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Cook at 370°F for 6-9 minutes, tossing halfway through. Keep an eye on the size; thinner spears will finish faster, while thicker spears may take the full cooking time.

Note: This recipe is based on using a 6-quart air fryer. If your model is 4-5 quarts, you might need to extend your cooking time slightly. Conversely, if using a larger air fryer, reduce your cooking time by 1-2 minutes.

Ways to Season Asparagus

While salt and pepper alone make for delicious air fryer asparagus, you can experiment with various flavor combinations:

• Add some grated Parmesan cheese and lemon zest on top.
• Drizzle with a touch of balsamic glaze.
• Give it an Asian twist with teriyaki sauce.
• Top with garlic herb butter.
• Pair it with roasted cherry tomatoes or garlic!
• You can even incorporate some bacon jam for a unique taste.

FAQs

What makes asparagus tough and stringy?
The ends of asparagus are fibrous and tough, so they should be cut off before cooking. If the entire spear is tough, it may be overcooked.

Should I soak my asparagus before cooking?
Soaking is unnecessary, but ensure that the spears are washed thoroughly.

What type of oil is best for air frying?
Use a high smoke point oil, such as avocado or safflower oil. Olive oil is also acceptable if you keep the temperature below 375°F.

More Air Fryer Recipes

If you’re looking for additional easy vegetable side dish recipes to whip up in your air fryer, consider these options:

• Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
• Air Fryer Broccoli
• Air Fryer French Fries
• Air Fryer Cauliflower
• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
• Air Fryer Eggplant
• Air Fryer Kale Chips

Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound asparagus (ends trimmed)
• 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
• 1 clove garlic (finely minced, optional)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 370°F for 3 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, whisk oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper together. Add trimmed asparagus and mix until well coated.
3. Place the asparagus in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 6-9 minutes, shaking the basket midway. (Thin spears cook closer to 6 minutes, while thicker spears might need around 9 minutes.)
4. Serve the asparagus with a sprinkle of extra black pepper and salt to taste. Enjoy!

Last step! If you try this recipe, please let us know how it turned out!

More Easy Main Dishes Recipes:

• Salisbury Steak Meatballs
• Crispy Zucchini Fritters
• Chipotle Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
• Tomato Bruschetta

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