Air Fryer Asparagus

Learn how to make the best Air Fryer Asparagus in less than 10 minutes! Crispy and tender, there's no oil needed for this healthy 2 ingredient recipe! It's gluten-free, vegan, keto, and paleo, making it a perfect vegetable side dish for any lunch or dinner! Meal prep a batch of this easy asparagus recipe with your favorite seasonings for a quick last-minute addition to any meal!

Quick, easy, and delicious; why haven't you been cooking your asparagus in your air fryer? No more waterlogged, soggy boiled asparagus or tough woody spears from the oven. The air fryer is key to perfect asparagus magic! Customized with your favorite seasonings and flavors, your can whip up a perfect vegetable side dish for any weeknight meal that needs a little extra green!

Why You'll Love This Easy Asparagus Recipe

Love it or hate it, this asparagus recipe is going to be your new favorite! The air fryer takes all the guesswork out of cooking perfect asparagus every time! 100% customizable to fit any meal or flavor profile you have in mind, a healthy and delicious preparation for even the pickiest of eaters, and naturally fit for all dietary needs! This recipe is:

• Gluten-Free
• Vegan & Vegetarian
• Allergy-free (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Peanut-Free, Wheat-Free, Sesame-Free, Coconut-Free, Corn-Free)
• Keto, Low-Carb, Paleo
• Oil-Free + Sugar-Free
• Kid-Friendly
• Customizable Seasonings
• A Make-Ahead & Meal Prep Essential
• Simple Side Dish, Addition to Salads or Bowls, even a Snack
• Great For Holiday Gatherings to Feed a Crowd

How Healthy Is Asparagus?

Asparagus is loaded with healthy nutrition! This seasonal spring vegetable comes from a perennial flowering plant and the young shoots are harvested as the veggie you eat! With only about 26 calories per cup, 5g carbs, 3g of protein, and 3g of fiber it's a fantastic veggie to include in any diet! It's rich in folate (vitamin B-9), potassium, contains phosphorus, iron, vitamin K, and some calcium! It's a rich source of antioxidants, minerals, and certain amino acids.

Other Fast Facts

• Asparagus is a great source for prebiotics which is a type of dietary fiber that feeds the good bacteria in your gut! It naturally contains inulin, which can improve your digestive health and help your body maintain optimum levels of glucose and insulin in the bloodstream.
• Asparagus comes in a variety of colors including green, white, and purple! White asparagus is grown under a mound of dirt to keep it from sunlight, naturally blanching the color. Purple asparagus comes in two varieties Purple Passion and Pacific Purple and was originally grown in Italy. It contains a pigment, anthocyanin, which can also be found in certain berries like blueberries and cranberries!
• Green asparagus can be described as grassy in flavor, white is slightly milder and more bitter, while purple tends to be mild and sweeter.

Can You Eat Raw Asparagus?

Yes, you can! Since raw asparagus tends to be woody and tough, people typically shave the asparagus stalks into paper-thin ribbons with a vegetable peeler or only use the blossoming tips raw when used in salads. Cooking asparagus makes it easier to chew and eat, as well as digest. Lightly cooking asparagus helps enhance the availability of certain nutrients and boosts antioxidant activity. But, if you want a crisp fresh bite, keeping it raw is 100% safe and delicious!

What's The Best Way To Cook Asparagus?

Simply steamed, lightly roasted, or air fried are the best and healthiest ways to cook asparagus so it isn't tough, while still locking in nutrients. Steaming can be finicky if you use too much water or not enough, roasting can lead to soggy spears if you don't toss them around enough or use too much oil. Air frying, well that's the Magic Method! Perfectly crisp, tender, flavor-packed, and EASY!

Ingredients For Air Fried Asparagus

• Fresh Raw Asparagus: You'll want a bunch of fresh in-season asparagus! Naturally packed with nutrients, earthy, sweet, and ready to be devoured!
• Seasonings: Keep it simple or choose something bold! I used some salt, pepper, onion, and garlic to keep the flavor "all-purpose".

What Spices Pair Well With Asparagus?

• Smokey Chilli Spices like smoked paprika, cumin, chipotle, or a standard chili powder.
• Citrus and Acids like lemon or orange zest or a splash of balsamic or white wine vinegar.
• Warming Herbs like rosemary, thyme, basil, marjoram, dill, chives, tarragon, parsley, or oregano.
• Simple Flavors like salt, pepper, onion powder, and optional garlic powder will always be a fan favorite.
• Cheesiness can be achieved by adding some nutritional yeast! Toss them with some coconut bacon after cooking for an ultimate vegan side!

Thin vs. Thick Asparagus Stalks

The thickness of the spear has nothing to do with the maturity of the plant, but the variety and age of the entire flowering plant. Both taste the same in terms of the classic sweet, nutty, earthiness of asparagus, but thicker spears can be more tender when cooked. However, thicker spears tend to be "stringier" and take longer to cook properly. Thin spears are perfect for crispy results in your air fryer.

How To Trim Asparagus Before Cooking

To prep your asparagus before cooking, you'll want to rinse and dry the spears before trimming the bottom woody stem. For thick asparagus, the woody end should easily snap off by applying pressure. For thin asparagus, it's easiest to cut off the bottom 1 to 2 inches using a sharp knife. (You may need to cut extra long spears more, even in half, depending on the size of your air fryer so they fit).

How To Make Asparagus In The Air Fryer

1. Prep the fresh asparagus by rinsing, patting dry, and trimming the ends before tossing in your choice of seasonings.
2. Place the prepped asparagus spears in your air fryer, careful not to overcrowd, and air fry at 400°F for 5 minutes.
3. Give the basket a shake and continue air frying for 3-4 more minutes, depending on the thickness and level of crispness you want.

How Long Do You Air Fry Asparagus?

Just like air frying any veggie, it depends. If you are using thick asparagus instead of thin, it will take longer. If you don't preheat your air fryer, it will take longer. If you have a small basket or crowd the basket it may take longer or require multiple batches. However, I found 8-10 minutes to be the sweet spot for the perfect amount of air-roasted char and crispness while still maintaining a tender creamy inside!

Pro Tips To Ensure Crispiness

• After rinsing off your asparagus, make sure you've allowed the spears to dry. Pat them dry (especially the flowery tips) with a paper towel to remove excess water. Excess water will cause your asparagus spears to steam in the air fryer instead of crisp.
• Make sure you do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. If you have a large air fryer, this may not be a problem, but for a smaller one, you'll probably need to do 2 batches. Overcrowding will cause the asparagus to steam and soften too much without getting crisp.
• You DO NOT need to soak asparagus before cooking it. It's a common misconception and this will only waterlog the spears, making them mushy and not able to crisp up.

How To Store & Freeze Air Fryer Asparagus

Leftover asparagus can be stored in an airtight container or bag in the fridge for up to 7 days. You can freeze the leftovers tightly sealed in a Ziplock freezer bag for up to 8-9 months.

How To Reheat and Recrisp Leftovers

Cold, leftover asparagus is 100% delicious and safe to snack on or toss into make-ahead lunches, bowls, or salads! But, if you want to get the crispiness back follow these steps!

• From the fridge: Toss your asparagus back into the air fryer and air fry at 375°F for about 4-5 minutes.
• From the freezer: Add them frozen to the air fryer and air fry at 375°F for 7-8 minutes, toss halfway through if they were frozen together.
• If you happen to be roasting something in the oven, throw the asparagus on a pan to roast up for a few minutes and get crispy again! Works like a charm, cold or frozen!

Usage & Serving Ideas

• As a filler or base for buddha bowls, grain bowls, or hearty salads
• A simple green and low-carb side dish to a pasta dinner or used in pasta
• With grilled or roasted proteins like chicken or fish
• An easy potluck-style side for holidays, parties, and gatherings
• Delicious as a quick afternoon snack or even with a sauce or dip

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes:

• Crispy Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
• Air Fryer Broccoli
• Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes
• Air Fryer Green Beans
• Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts
• Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
• Air Fryer Okra

Print

The air fryer literally can make any veggie even more delicious! Nothing beats that oil-free crispiness and it's the perfect way to serve up some fresh spring asparagus!

So tell me:

+ Lover or hater of asparagus?

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