Air fryer asparagus will be your new favorite low-carb quick and easy side dish since it is absolutely delicious, healthy and done in a matter of minutes!
This air fryer asparagus recipe is exactly what you want as your evening side dish! It's perfectly cooked, a little bit crispy on the outside but not overcooked in the slightest.
Plus, the optional addition of parmesan cheese and lemon elevates the flavor while still letting the asparagus itself shine as the dominant flavor.
Why make asparagus in the air fryer
Well, I like to air fry pretty much everything but asparagus surprised me I'd love it in the air fryer.
First and foremost, it takes half the time as roasting in the oven and you don't have to heat up your whole oven to do it. Second, that crispiness you get in the air fryer is second to none! Squeezing the lemon on top takes away some of the crispiness so do this right before serving.
Ingredients
The ingredients are super simple in this recipe. Here's what you'll need:
- Asparagus
- Oil (I use avocado oil)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Lemon
- Parmesan (optional)
You can also add a sprinkle of garlic powder and/or onion powder along with the salt and pepper for a bit more complexity. Or if you'd like to make the recipe vegan, dairy free, paleo, whole 30 or compliant with pretty much any other diet, add some nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.
How long to cook asparagus in air fryer
Cook time depends on the thickness of your asparagus bunch. Air fry at 400°F for 6-7mins for thin asparagus and 8-10 mins for thick asparagus spears.
Asparagus is typically sold in a "bunch" which is about 3" (about 7.5 cm) across on the bottom when held bunched together in your hand. I'm sharing this incase you're using fresh garden asparagus and don't know how big a bunch is.
How to make air fryer asparagus
This recipe is easy as can be to make, perfect for air fryer novices and experts alike.
- Trim those woody ends off of the asparagus (usually about 2 inches). TIP - if you aren't sure where to cut, hold both ends of a piece and bend it until it snaps since it will typically break right where the woody part ends.
- Add oil
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to coat
- Place in preheated air fryer
- Cook for at 400° for 6-10 mins, depending on thickness
- Remove and serve OR sprinkle toss with lemon and parmesan and then serve
Tips for making the best air fryer asparagus
While this recipe is incredibly simple, there are a few ways it can go wrong. To make sure yours ends up the best it can be:
- For ultimate crispiness make sure asparagus is dry before rubbing with oil
- Serve right away. Like immediately. The one downside to the air fryer is that, unlike deep frying, the crispiness usually doesn't last more than 5-10 minutes. A small price to pay for being so much healthier!
- Make sure to cut all of that woody hard part off the bottom of the asparagus.
- Check the asparagus at the six minute mark regardless of thickness (every air fryer is different).
- Tweak the seasoning to fit your favorite flavors or what you're serving. A few ideas of what you can add: garlic powder, onion powder, herbs de Provence, tarragon, dill, fresh basil, or whatever you have that sounds good.
- If you have too much asparagus or a small air fryer basket, you can chop the asparagus spears into thirds and shake the air fryer basket once in the middle of the cook time.
What to serve with air fryer asparagus
It feels silly making a list of things to serve with this because asparagus pairs well with EVERYTHING. Either way, here are a few ideas to get you thinking of a few options:
- Serve with these healthy chicken kabobs
- This lemon dill salmon is practically begging to be served with asparagus
- Instant Pot beef stroganoff is a hearty, yet lightened up version of a comfort food classic
- Or, try a chicken stroganoff to go even lighter and switch things up a bit
- Eggplant lasagna doesn't need a side, but if you were to add one, these asparagus would be it
Other healthy side dishes
If you're looking for some other side dish options, check these out:
- A simple lemon dill brown rice pairs seamlessly with asparagus
- This grilled zucchini recipe is so epic, topped with balsamic, feta and basil
- Roasted spaghetti squash is a classic
- Butternut squash tossed in fried sage and brown butter might be the best way to do squash ever
- These baked portobello mushrooms are the most popular recipe on this website
Other asparagus recipes
- This lemon asparagus quinoa side dish is so so simple, entirely vegan yet so delicious
- This oven roasted asparagus is the non air fried version of this recipe
- These prosciutto wrapped asparagus bundles are one of my favorites
Air Fryer Asparagus
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400° (205° C).
- Trim woody ends off bottom of asparagus.
- Rub asparagus with olive oil and then sprinkle with salt and pepper (I usually eyeball it and end up using about ¼ tsp. salt and a a little under 1/8 tsp. pepper).
- Arrange asparagus in a single layer* and cook in air fryer for 6-10 minutes depending on thickness (thin for 6-7mins and thick for 8-10 mins). Start checking for desired doneness at 5 minutes and every 2 minutes after that.
- Place asparagus on a serving plate and squeeze lemon over the top. Sprinkle with parmesan if desired and serve immediately. As with all air fryer foods, the crispiness doesn't last long so serve and eat quickly for best flavor.
Notes
- Asparagus is typically sold in a "bunch" which is about 3" (about 7.5 cm) across on the bottom when held bunched together in your hand.
- The woody ends are typically about 2” on the bottom and if you’re not sure where to cut, break one with your hand. Where it breaks easily is the length you should cut them all.
- If you have too much asparagus or a small air fryer basket, you can chop the asparagus spears into thirds and shake the air fryer basket once in the middle of the cook time.
- For ultimate crispiness make sure asparagus is dry before rubbing with oil.
- Tweak the seasoning to fit your favorite flavors or what you're serving. A few ideas of what you can add: garlic powder, onion powder, herbs de Provence, tarragon, or sprinkle with fresh dill, basil or parsley on completion.
