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Air Fryer Asparagus is the perfect side dish in less than 5 minutes! Enjoy this healthy and delicious recipe with very little work.
My whole family loves when I make these Air Fryer Asparagus. The crispy texture and soft center makes for an easy side dish recipe.
This side dish is a easy low carb recipe and is ready in about 5 minutes and little prep time is needed. If you love this side dish made in the air fryer, find even more air fryer recipes to try.
What's in this post: Air Fryer Asparagus
Why We Love This Recipe
Using the air fryer to cook or heat our favorite foods has been a game changer for my family. We love heating our favorite vegetables in the air fryer because it is quick and easy.
If you have trouble getting you kids to eat their vegetables, place them in the air fryer. The asparagus spear come out with an amazing texture and are seasoned perfectly with amazing flavor.
Ingredients
- Fresh Asparagus
- Olive Oil
- Pepper
- Salt
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.
Variations Ideas
Feel free to change the seasoning when making this healthy snack or side dish. Here are some suggested variations.
- Red Pepper Flakes – This adds a hint of spice
- Italian Seasoning – Delicious seasoning blend to add flavor
- Chopped Bacon – Add chopped bacon when serving for a savory taste
- Balsamic Vinegar – One of my favorite additions
- Soy Sauce – Drizzle soy sauce over the top right before placing in the air fryer
- Oil – Feel free to use avocado oil instead of olive oil
How to make Air Fryer Asparagus
Step 1 – First, make sure to wash the asparagus stalks really good. You also want to trim the woody ends edges off the asparagus. Don’t trim much. I normally cut about 1 inch off.
Step 2 – Second you brush olive oil all over the asparagus. Sprinkle the salt and pepper and that is it! I prefer ground black pepper. Sometimes I add garlic powder and parmesan cheese too. There is no reason to be scared of asparagus because it is really that simple!
Step 3 – Next, it is time to put the asparagus in the basket of the air fryer. Try to put it in single layer if you can so that it cooks evenly.
Step 4 – Finally, cook the asparagus for only 3-5 minutes at 400 degrees F. Don’t forget that you do NOT want to preheat the air fryer so the asparagus does not over cook.
- Step 5 – Lastly, just remove from the basket and enjoy. Yum!
Recipe Tips
- Cooking Time – If I am concerned about the time, I start with 3 minutes and then check the asparagus. If it is still not tender enough, cook it in increments of 1 minute until you get the desired tenderness. This is a great way to make sure you do not get mushy asparagus. I promise it will turn out perfectly if you use these tips.
- Prepare Asparagus – Make sure to prepare asparagus before placing in the air fry basket.
- Air Fryer Recommendations – If you are needing a new Air Fryer, check out these Best Air Fryer Deals.
Do You Preheat an Air Fryer?
Not in this case. You do NOT want to preheat the air fryer when cooking asparagus because it can cause the veggie to be over cooked.
Serving Suggestions
This easy air fryer asparagus recipe can be served with many different side dishes. Feel free to add your favorite seasoning and then serve with one of these family favorite recipes.
We have even chopped it toss the leftovers in soup or made this quiche recipe.
- Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
- Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
- Grilled Steak
- Hamburger Hash
- Grilled Mahi Mahi Recipe
- The Best Blackened Chicken Recipe
- Air Fryer Fried Chicken
- Griddle Steak
- Easy Grilled Chicken Kabob Recipe
- Beef and Noodles
- Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Chicken and Dumplings
Frequently Asked Questions
Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container. You might also want to learn how to store asparagus to keep it fresh longer. Did you know you can actually make asparagus last longer in the fridge? Great tips!
When you ready to reheat, place on a baking sheet and reheat in the oven at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes. You can also reheat in the air fryer.
Yes, you can freeze leftover asparagus. Place in a freezer safe container or a zip lock freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready to serve again, allow asparagus to thaw overnight in the fridge.
More Easy Asparagus Recipes:
- Garlic lime Steamed Asparagus
- Grilled Asparagus Recipe
- How to Store Asparagus to keep in fresh longer
- Roasted Asparagus Recipe
More Air Fryer Recipes to Try:
- Air Fryer Baked Potato
- The best Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
- Easy Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe
- Air fryer chicken breast recipes
- Easy Air fryer hard boiled eggs
Please leave us a comment or a star review if you make this Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe. We love hearing from you.
Air fryer asparagus
Instructions
- Wash the asparagus and trim the bottom edges off the asparagus (approximately 1 inch).
- Brush the olive oil onto the asparagus and season with the salt and pepper.
- Place the asparagus in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400 degrees F (do not preheat the air fryer as it may cause the asparagus to be over cooked).
- Cook for 3-5 minutes depending on the thickness of your asparagus. Start with 3 minutes and then cook for an additional 1 minute at a time until the asparagus is the tenderness that you prefer.
- Remove from the basket once done and enjoy!
what is the best air fryer? I don’t where to start, I cook for 5 so I’m thinking that I need a large air fryer?
I have a large family and have been using the Instant Pot Vortex Plus and it was worked great for us!