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Get It Now- Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How To Cook Asparagus In The Air Fryer
- How Long To Cook Asparagus In The Air Fryer?
- Recipe Variations
- Storage Instructions
- What To Serve With Air Fryer Asparagus
- More Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
- Tools For This Recipe
- Air Fryer Asparagus (Fast & Easy!) Recipe card
- Recipe Reviews
This air fryer asparagus recipe takes less than 10 minutes to make — it’s the fastest way to “roast” asparagus! Once you season the stalks, cooking asparagus in the air fryer is super quick, making it a great last-minute side dish to just about any healthy dinner. Oh, and did I mention you get the perfect crispness on the tips just like when you grill asparagus? It’s the best part!
Ever since I got my air fryer, I’ve been making easy air fryer recipes a couple times a week! I love it for making foods crispy without much oil (hello, air fryer french fries!), super juicy (air fryer pork chops are perfect every time), or just simply fast (like this air fryer asparagus). I know you’ll love it, too.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe
- Light and bright taste
- Tender asparagus stalks with crispy tips
- Incredibly easy to make
- Takes less than 10 minutes
- Naturally low carb, healthy, and gluten-free
- A faster alternative to roasted asparagus and less mess than sauteed asparagus
Ingredients You’ll Need
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for air fryer roasted asparagus, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Asparagus – Look for asparagus spears that are plump and firm, with closed tips. Any thickness works (cook time will vary — see below!), but I prefer medium or thick because they are less prone to overcooking.
- Oil – Helps the seasonings stick, adds flavor, and helps achieve the crispy tips. I usually use olive oil because the flavor pairs nicely with asparagus, but you can also use avocado oil.
- Lemon Juice – Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor, or bottled for convenience.
- Spices – Garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Simple!
How To Cook Asparagus In The Air Fryer
This section shows step-by-step photos and details about cooking air fried asparagus. For full instructions, see the recipe card below.
- Trim. Remove the tough, woody stems of the asparagus. The fastest way is to cut off about an inch from the bottom, but the most reliable way to remove just the right amount is to bend each stalk at the base and it will snap at the perfect spot.
- Season. In a shallow baking dish (or a large bowl), drizzle asparagus with olive oil and lemon juice. Season with garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
- Air fry. Place the asparagus in the air fryer basket in a single layer, cooking in batches if necessary. Air fry until tender, browned, and crispy on the edges.
How Long To Cook Asparagus In The Air Fryer?
Air fryer asparagus takes 3-6 minutes for thin stalks, 5-8 minutes for medium, or 7-10 minutes for thick. It’s less than half the time it would take in the oven!
Recipe Variations
- Parmesan: This is my favorite simple addition to air fryer asparagus. Simply toss the spears in grated parm before roasting for a cheesy, crispy coating. You can also just sprinkle with shredded parmesan cheese right in the basket before cooking, which gives a more melty result.
- Italian: Add a teaspoon of Italian seasoning for extra flavor.
- Balsamic: Use balsamic vinegar instead of lemon juice. A drizzle of balsamic glaze at the end also tastes amazing.
- Bacon Wrapped: Prepare the stalks the same way you would regular bacon wrapped asparagus, then cook in the air fryer instead of the oven.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Asparagus tastes best fresh, but you can keep leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheat: I like to chop it up and toss it in fried rice or a salmon salad, but if you want to reheat it, using the air fryer again for a minute or two is your best bet.
- Freeze: You could freeze air fried asparagus, but I don’t recommend it. It tends to get mushy, though it could be okay to use in a soup or casserole.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Asparagus
This veggie cooks super fast in the air fryer, so I recommend a fast main dish to go along with it! Try these simple ideas that you can make quickly:
- Chicken – Cook it your favorite way! The staple methods in my family are air fryer chicken breast, juicy baked chicken drumsticks, and crispy oven baked chicken wings.
- Steak – This is a great option for a meal that feels fancy, but steak is actually one of the fastest main courses to make! Check my favorite methods for sirloin steak, filet mignon, or ribeye that produce a juicy result every time.
- Fish – There are few pairings more classic than fish and asparagus! This vegetable pairs perfectly with crispy air fryer salmon or air fried tilapia if you want to use the same appliance. If you’d rather use a different cooking method so that your main and side are ready at the same time, prepare baked haddock or broiled salmon first, pop it in the oven, then cook the asparagus in the air fryer.
- Brunch Staples – Asparagus is fabulous for brunch! Try it with a crustless spinach quiche or steak and eggs. Don’t forget the hollandaise sauce!
- Salads – Toss air fried asparagus into salads like strawberry spinach salad or spring mix salad.
More Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
Making veggies in the air fryer is incredibly fast and easy! If you like this air fryer recipe for asparagus, you might also like some of these:
Tools For This Recipe
- Air Fryer – I’ve tried a few different air fryers and this one is my favorite!
- Shallow Baking Dish – Prep and serve the asparagus right in this dish.
Air Fryer Asparagus (Fast & Easy!)
Crispy, tender, and EASY air fryer asparagus makes a fast, healthy side dish. It cooks in just a few minutes, with simple ingredients!
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
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In a shallow baking dish, drizzle the asparagus with olive oil and lemon juice. Season with garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Move the pieces around to coat evenly.
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Working in batches if needed, arrange the asparagus in the air fryer in a single layer. Air fry for 5-8 minutes for medium thickness asparagus, 7-10 minutes for thick asparagus, or 3-6 minutes for thin asparagus, until the asparagus is tender, browned, and crispy on the edges.
Did You Like It?
Leave a rating to help other readers (this also helps me continue to provide free recipes on my site), or get the recipe sent to your inbox.
Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1/4 of entire recipe
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂
33 Comments
Jane
0Good grief! This is the best, the most delicious asparagus ever! Exactly as written. 😋 Thanks so much!
Gail
0Great site, and recipes. So many good things about doing veggies in the air fryer!!
Love asparagus with lemon especially in the air fryer.
Richard Lambert
0Hi ! just let me know if this recepie can be as good if I use an oil frying pan ? Does this dish need to be cook as is or do I need to change or add some other things ? Thanks for all your good recepies.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Richard, Maybe you would be interested in my sautéed asparagus recipe.
Kim
0We love using the airfryer for veggies. I’ve never tried using lemon juice and it was delicious!
Kristyn
0Asparagus is the best!! I make it all the time!! The air fryer makes it so perfectly!! It’s crisp & delicious!!
Lisa
0Yum! Thank you!
Ralph Douvillier
0This sounds good. I’ve only had Asparagus steamed. I’ve been looking for a good recipe. Thank you for posting it…
Robin
0This was so easy and so delicious in my Instant Pot air fryer! 💖
Jane
0This is the best recipe for asparagus ever. Easy to follow instructions, another opportunity to use my air fryer and absolutely delicious. Thanks so much.
Trevor
0Was looking for a side for my air fried chuck roast, and came upon this. Don’t like parmesan so, I changed it ups slightly. Sea salt, fresh ground pepper & lemon juice NO GARLIC POWDER (you’ll see why shortly!).
Otherwise as per your directions. HOWEVER I premade patties of unsalted butter with fresh minced garlic. On serving, a couple of the patties were placed on the asparagus, and with the patties that were also used with the chuck roast…….wow!
nah
0what temperature does the air fryer need to be set at????
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi, The air fryer is set to 400 degrees F. You can find this in step #1 on the recipe card.
Shawn
0Am I missing what temp to set the air fryer to? If so I apologize. What temp do you cook the asparagus at?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Shawn, Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
Barbara
0Do I then transfer the asparagus from the shallow baking dish into the basket in the airfryer?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Barbara, Yes, you will want to transfer into the air fryer basket.
Lori J Moran
0Loved it! It was quick, easy and delish. Usually I will do asparagus on the grill, or steam them (boring). This was perfect. Highly recommend!
Jess
0This was fantastic. Just ate about a pound of asparagus by myself. 🤣 it was better than any other way I have prepared asparagus in my 38 years of existence. To think, I was about to throw the bunch I bought this weekend away because it never turns out good anyways😂😅
Charles
0This recipe is amazing! I have always baked my asparagus, which, don’t get me wrong, was delicious. When I tried this recipe, though, I was blown away by the flavor that the asparagus retained! I did what this recipe suggested and put the parmesan on halfway through cooking, and it came out perfect. I won’t ever cook asparagus any other way again.
Amy L Huntley
0These are so crispy and tender too. Cooked to perfection. The flavor is amazing too.
Laura
0I love air fryer asparagus!! So easy to make!
Shelby
0Asparagus is a popular side dish around here, love how quickly this came together!
Shari
0Wow I haven’t tried asparagus in our air fryer… we just got one for Christmas. This looks delicious and we love asparagus!
April
0This is the BEST way to cook asparagus! It comes out so tender and flavorful.
Toni
0This has been one of my favoite air fryer recipes! Thanks for sharing!
Donna Batrone
0Seriously this is the best and only way to make asparagus! Perfect every time!
Amy L Huntley
0These are perfectly cooked! Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. So, flavorful too!
Kristyn
0Seriously the best!! The air fryer makes it super easy & it turns out delicious!!
Jenn
0Asparagus is my favorite vegetable and I love how the tips of the spears get a little crispy in the air fryer!
Eden
0So easy to make and turned out wonderful! I’ll be making it again for Easter dinner!
Allyson Zea
0One of my favorite side dishes in the air fryer!
Doris Layhe
0Asparagus is my favorite! I was so excited to make this and I am so happy I did, it was delicious! And so easy!