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This Air Fryer Asparagus is my new favorite side dish! It works great for an everyday dinner or a holiday meal. Asparagus in the air fryer is easy to make with just a few ingredients and results in a flavorful side dish that pairs wonderfully with a variety of entrees. You just can’t go wrong with this one!

For more Easy air fryer recipes, I suggest checking out my Air Fryer Kale Chips, these Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas, as well as my Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings!

asparagus air fryer cooked and toped with cheese
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PLEASE tell me that you’re as much a fan of asparagus as I am!I eat it YEAR round but when it’s in season and extra inexpensive during the summer, I find myself eating it multiple times per week (and loving every bit of it!).

THIS Baked Asparagus recipe is one of my MOST popular recipes on the blog right now. And while I truly love to roast asparagus in the oven, I’ve been dying to try it out in the air fryer. I’ve been cooking it like this a lot lately and I’m a HUGE FAN! Can’t wait for you to try it out this way.

And in case you want to cook your asparagus in every way, I also have a guide on how to cook asparagus on the stovetop!

air fryer asparagus topped with parmesan cheese on a serving plate

Simple Ingredients we’re working with

Not only is this perfect side dish super quick to make, it only requires 3 key ingredients, plus salt + pepper. Here’s what you’ll need: 

  • Asparagus. be sure to use fresh asparagus for the best results! You want to trim asparagus of the white ends before cooking as they’re harder and less enjoyable to eat. I’m not a fan of thicker spears so I suggest looking for thinner asparagus.
  • Olive oil. my go-to is extra virgin olive oil for this recipe, but avocado oil works too.
  • Garlic powder. I love asparagus seasoned with garlic powder, but if you have another favorite seasoning, you can swap this out for something else. Onion powder is also nice here!
  • Sea salt & pepper. to bring all of the flavors together. Garlic salt is also a good option!
  • Parmesan cheese. optional, but so delicious!

How to make the best air fryer asparagus

This asparagus recipe could not be easier! Here’s a quick rundown of what’s involved, but you can find the complete printable recipe at the bottom of the post.

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer. Depending on the model of your air fryer (some don’t have the preheat function) preheat to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Prep the asparagus stalks. Trim off the hard woody ends. Place it in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle on the garlic powder, salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine. You can also spray with cooking spray for a healthy side dish.

preparing asparagus before cooking

Step 3: Cook the asparagus. Lay the asparagus flat in your air fryer basket so they’re in a single layer, being careful not to stack it as best as possible. Air fry for 5 minutes and then sprinkle on the parmesan cheese (if using) and continue to air fry for 2-4 additional minutes. 

Cook Time: if you have thick asparagus, you may need to cook this for an additional couple of minutes to get it crisp tender. Alternatively, if you have very thin asparagus, it may need less time.

Enjoy! Sprinkle with fresh black pepper and additional parmesan as desired and serve. 

cooking asparagus in the air fryer

Tips for making air fryer asparagus:

  • You’ll want to remove the tough ends of the asparagus spears before air frying because they are too tough to eat. You can do this by simply snapping off the end, which is usually about 1 inch long, or carefully cut it off with a sharp knife.
  • I recommend lining your air fryer with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup!
  • When placing the asparagus in the air fryer, try not to stack it. A few pieces overlapping is fine, but too much overcrowding can result in soggy asparagus. Cook your asparagus in batches, as needed, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Recipe variations:

There are so many different ways to flavor air fryer asparagus! This parmesan garlic version is so good, but sometimes I add other ingredients to mix things up a bit.

  • Seasoning. Instead of or in addition to the garlic powder, try adding Italian seasoning or rosemary and thyme. This is also great drizzled with fresh lemon juice and lemon zest as well as red pepper flakes for a little kick.
  • Cheese. Asparagus with parmesan is classic, but a sprinkle of feta cheese over the top right before serving is incredible too.
  • Nuts. For a little added crunch, try sprinkling 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, chopped pecans or slivered almonds over the asparagus before serving.
air fryer asparagus topped with parmesan cheese

What makes asparagus in the air fryer so great?

  • Asparagus is described to have an earthy taste similar to broccoli. Seasoned and cooked to perfection, it can be incredibly tasty. Something else really great about asparagus is that it has the ability to absorb flavors from other food, so it works really well paired with something saucy or extra flavorful.
  • Air fryer asparagus is great as a simple side, but it also makes the perfect addition to pasta, flatbread, quiches, salads or vegetable medleys.

How to store asparagus

To keep asparagus spears fresh for as long as possible, they are best stored like a bouquet of flowers! Place the spears (stem side down) in a jar with a few inches of water and store the jar in the fridge. It’s also a good idea to cover the tops of the spears with a bag for maximum freshness.

To store the leftovers of your cooked asparagus: place the cooked asparagus in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 4 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to preheat the air fryer for asparagus?

It depends on your air fryer! Some models heat up quickly, but preheating for 2-3 minutes helps ensure even cooking and crispier asparagus.

Do I need to trim the ends of the asparagus?

Yes! The bottom ends are tough and woody. You can snap them off where they naturally break or trim about 1-2 inches off the bottom with a knife.

Can I cook asparagus with other vegetables in the air fryer?

Absolutely! Just choose veggies with similar cook times, like bell peppers, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes. Harder veggies like carrots or potatoes may need extra time.

How do I get extra crispy asparagus in the air fryer?

For extra crunch:
Cook a minute or two longer, keeping an eye on it.
Use less oil to prevent steaming.
Add a light dusting of panko breadcrumbs before air frying.

If you try this Air Fryer Asparagus recipe or any other recipe on Food with Feeling, don’t forget to leave a comment and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below to let others know how much you loved it. Happy cooking! And don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @foodwithfeeling!

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Air Fryer Asparagus

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 7 minutes
Total: 12 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
This Air Fryer Asparagus is simple to make and packed with delicious flavor!
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Ingredients 

  • 1 bunch of asparagus, ends trimmed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, melted ghee or butter also works great!
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: ¼ cup of parmesan cheese

Instructions 

  • Pre-heat your air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes.
  • Prep the asparagus by trimming off the hard white ends. Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil and sprinkle on the garlic powder, salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
  • Lay the asparagus flat in your air fryer, being careful not to stack it as best possible (if a few pieces are overlapping, that’s okay). 
  • Air fry for 5 minutes and then sprinkle on the parmesan cheese (if using) and then air fry for 2-4 additional minutes. Cook time will depend on the thickness of your asparagus. Thinner pieces will likely only need 2 more minutes while thicker pieces will require 4 additional minutes.
  • Sprinkle with additional parmesan as desired and ENJOY!

Video

Notes

Nutritional info does not include the cheese.
If you’re wanting to keep this vegan, I suggest using Violife vegan parmesan or just leave it off completely!

Nutrition

Calories: 33kcal, Carbohydrates: 0.4g, Protein: 0.1g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 0.5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Sodium: 0.4mg, Potassium: 13mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 0.1g, Vitamin A: 30IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 1mg, Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Mention @foodwithfeeling or tag #foodwithfeeling!

About Brita Britnell

Brita is the author of Food with Feeling which is a vegetarian based food blog. She creates easy and delicious recipes that encourage people to try more meat-free recipes!

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