Air Fryer Asparagus (Easy Recipe)

This air fryer asparagus recipe requires just a handful of simple ingredients and takes only 10 minutes to make! The asparagus comes out perfectly tender yet crisp and you don't have to heat up the oven. You can also switch up the seasonings to suit your family's taste with different herbs or seasonings.

Air Fryer Asparagus Ingredients and Substitutions

• Asparagus: Buy the freshest asparagus you can find, and don’t forget to trim the ends off. You can also cut the asparagus into 1-2" pieces before cooking if you prefer.
• Olive Oil: I usually use organic olive oil, but you can replace this with avocado oil or grapeseed oil. Feel free to use olive oil cooking spray instead as well.
• Italian Seasoning: You could substitute any variety of dried herbs in place of the Italian seasoning. You could also use fresh herbs like parsley or basil, though I'd recommend adding those after cooking the asparagus. If using fresh herbs, try adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice too for a super bright flavor!
• Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is essential for us, but you can leave it off, or use your other favorite spices like chili powder, cumin, or onion powder!

How to Make Air Fryer Asparagus

Trim asparagus by cutting the woody ends off the stalk with a sharp knife. Drizzle the asparagus in olive oil and season with herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.

Place on an air fryer tray or in an air fryer basket in a single layer and roast asparagus for 5-7 minutes.

Garnish with a sprinkle of Malden's finishing salt and if you're feeling a little extra, drizzle with my garlic Parmesan cream sauce (like I did with my air fryer green beans). Enjoy!

Tips

• Trim the asparagus. The bottom ends of asparagus are woody and need to be cut off because they are not really edible. You can either slice the last 1-2 inches off or take each spear and snap it off naturally toward the end.
• Don't overcrowd the asparagus. If you're making a lot of asparagus just cook it in batches so that it can cook through evenly and get perfectly tender.
• Drizzle with Parmesan sauce! You can eat this air-fried asparagus with almost anything but my 15-minute garlic parmesan sauce takes it to the next level. Or try sprinkling this air fryer asparagus with grated Parmesan cheese to add some nutty flavor.
• If you like it spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes before or after air frying. You can also switch up the spices to try different flavors. Some of our favorites include curry powder, cumin, or chili powder!

How do you cook asparagus spears in the air fryer?

This air fryer asparagus could not be easier! Toss the asparagus in olive oil, herbs, and spices, and then pop it in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes. That's it! Perfectly tender, crisp, delicious asparagus is ready in just minutes with barely any prep work on your part!

How do you know when asparagus is done?

You can tell asparagus is done by the color and the texture. The asparagus will turn bright green while it's cooking and then an olive green once it's done. It should be tender, but still have a crunch and some structure.

Do I need to soak my asparagus before cooking?

It is not necessary to soak asparagus before cooking, especially with this air fry recipe. Do make sure that you wash it thoroughly to remove any dirt though.

Why is asparagus tough and stringy?

The longer asparagus sits after being harvested, the stringier and woodier it will become. The best way to avoid this is to buy the freshest asparagus possible and then cook it not long after. The farmer's market is a great place to find fresh asparagus!

Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

I have found that with most foods cooked in the air fryer, preheating it before adding the food is best! It ensures that the food cooks more evenly and gets more crispy on the outside. The beauty of the air fryer is that it takes just a couple minutes to preheat which is typically much shorter than preheating the oven!

What's the best way to trim asparagus?

While some folks recommend snapping the end of each stalk individually, I prefer to line up several stalks flat on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut off the bottom 1-2 inches or so of the stalk. This allows you to easily remove the fibrous part and leave the tender stalk behind without throwing away more than what's necessary.

You Will Love This

• It's the easiest last-minute side dish! If you've never tried cooking asparagus in the air fryer, you are going to be hooked once you see how simple it is! Roasted asparagus in the oven is great, but it's SO much more time-consuming. Cooking asparagus in the air fryer takes just 10 minutes which means on those busy nights when you want a simple veggie to serve alongside your main dish, this air fryer asparagus is a lifesaver! Pair it with chicken spaghetti, creamy salmon pasta, or cheesy manicotti to create a delicious and balanced meal. The best part is that you don't have to heat up the oven.
• If you loved this easy air fryer recipe, be sure to check out my other favorite vegetable side dishes like air fryer green beans, air fryer baked potatoes, cheesy broccoli casserole, and balsamic roasted Brussels sprouts.

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating

• Make-Ahead: The best part about this air fryer asparagus is that it takes 10 minutes from start to finish. While it tastes best fresh from the air fryer, the individual components can be prepped ahead of time and then assembled when you're ready to eat. Store trimmed asparagus in the fridge and prep the herbs and spices until you're ready to air fry.
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. 
• Reheating: You can reheat the asparagus in the air fryer at 350 for a few minutes or until warmed through, or place the asparagus in a frying pan on the stovetop and reheat over low heat. 

What to Serve With Air Fryer Asparagus

• Easy One Pan Chicken and Rice Casserole
• Caprese Flatbread with Balsamic Vinegar Glaze
• The Best Smoked Meatloaf
• Simple Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
• Creamy Salmon Pasta

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

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