I seriously can’t get enough of my air fryer. Tofu, brussels sprouts, classic french fries… it’s one of the best tools to create flavorful, crispy, and delicious side dishes with so little effort and oil. A summer staple, Air Fryer Asparagus cooks up quickly and only needs a small amount of oil, salt, and pepper to dress it up. The asparagus ends up perfectly crisp without turning on the oven or grill. For even more flavor, add fun mix-ins like fresh garlic or a sprinkle of vegan parmesan! You’re going to love this asparagus air fryer recipe because it’s…
Quick and easyLow maintenanceVersatile (add in more flavor!)Pairs well with anything!
This flexible, easy, and tender side dish is perfect for your summer barbecues or when you need a quick side for weeknight dinners. Ready to eat in less than 10 minutes! Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Prepping asparagus
Asparagus spears have woody, tough ends that aren’t edible. To chop them off, use a knife to cut off the bottom inch to inch and a half of each spear or snap them off with your hands. Rinse the prepped asparagus well under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel before cooking them in the air fryer.
How to make asparagus in the air fryer
Trim the ends of the asparagus and spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with olive oil. Place the asparagus in a single layer in the air fryer, spray with oil, and sprinkle salt and pepper on top. Air fry the asparagus until it’s crisp but not blackened. Thicker pieces may take a bit longer, so keep an eye on them.
Add-ins
Garlic – Mince a few cloves of garlic and add them to cook with the asparagus.Parmesan – Sprinkle the cooked asparagus with vegan parmesan for a cheesy finish.Lemon juice – Add some brightness with a spritz of fresh lemon juice on top of the cooked asparagus.Sesame oil – Toss the asparagus with a teaspoon of sesame oil. When it’s done, sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve with rice and sesame tofu.Olive oil – Feel free to use olive oil if you don’t have spray. Use about 2 teaspoons and toss with the asparagus first.
Frequently asked questions
When is asparagus in season? Between April and June here on the west coast. When shopping, look for spears that are fresh, firm, and vibrant. You don’t want them to show any signs of shriveling or mushiness.What temperature to air fry asparagus? Set your air fryer to 400ºF. The spears will only need to cook for about 7 to 10 minutes at this temperature, depending on their thickness.What goes well with asparagus? Almost everything! Serve it as a side to Lentil Shepherd’s Pie, Veggie Burger’s, or Vegan Meatloaf. Chop up any leftovers and add them to Carbonara, Vegan Quiche, or a Buddha Bowl.
Want more veggie side dishes?
Black Bean Corn Avocado SaladThe Best Potato WedgesZucchini FrittersPasta Salad
title: “Air Fryer Asparagus” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-10” author: “Angela Dionne”
5 10 Published Mar 04, 2022, Updated Nov 05, 2024 The asparagus cooks up in under 10 minutes and comes out crispy and tender. It’s seriously addicting, I could easily eat the whole batch to myself (and may or may not have already done that!)
Spicy – Add some red pepper flakes or Sriracha for a touch of spice! Sweet + spicy – Go for a sweet and spicy combo by drizzling with honey (or maple syrup) and sprinkling with red pepper flakes. Sesame – Give your asparagus an Asian flare and add soy sauce, tamari or coconut aminos and sesame seeds. Bacon bits – Make some tempeh bacon or coconut bacon (or the real deal!), chop into small pieces and top your asparagus with bacon ‘bits’ for some umami flavor! Balsamic vinegar – Simply drizzle some balsamic vinegar for an extra boost of flavor.
Serve with air fryer salmon or apple cider vinegar chicken and cauliflower rice for a complete meal of proteins, healthy fats and carbs. Use air fryer asparagus in this garlic shrimp and asparagus recipe. Add to a grain bowl like this chicken protein bowl or quinoa fried rice. Serve alongside vegan potato soup and sourdough bread to amp up the nutrients! Serve as a side for a holiday meal alongside this vegan lentil loaf, mashed cauliflower and kale and brussels sprout salad.
Be aware that they will lose their crispiness and might become soggy. To reheat, warm them in the air fryer at 350ºF for 2-3 minutes until warm throughout and crisp.
