Air Fryer Asparagus

Air Fryer Roasted Asparagus is quick, easy, and delicious. With just a few ingredients, this recipe will let the asparagus shine while producing a tender and irresistible side dish or appetizer.

Asparagus is a wonderful and healthy vegetable that can be prepared in so many ways. Here, the air fryer works its magic in about 8-10 minutes, which is important if you’re a busy parent.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

• When you’re cooking asparagus in the air fryer, it is the same as the oven-roasted version, but it uses less oil and cooks in a fraction of the time.
• This recipe uses 3 ingredients! It isn’t much simpler than this for an easy side dish for a busy weeknight dinner.
• It’s healthy and delicious! Roasted to perfection with crispy tips. It’s low carb, low calorie, and will fit any diet.

HOW TO PICK THE BEST ASPARAGUS

Ideally, you want to choose fresh, vibrant green asparagus stalks that are straight and smooth. In the grocery store, you want to ensure they’re being displayed upright and in water or ice to keep the lower part of the stem wet. The stems should be firm, not limp and dry. For the tip, make sure it’s tightly closed, not sprouting or beginning to open.

You may see different sizes of stalks depending on when and where the asparagus was harvested. The stalk sizes range from super skinny to very thick. There’s no one right size; they will all taste delicious. This recipe uses medium-size asparagus. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your asparagus.

When you get the asparagus home, if you’re not using it immediately, give the ends a small trim and set them upright in about an inch of water or wrap them in a moist paper towel. This will help the asparagus stay fresh in your refrigerator for up to 3 days.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF ASPARAGUS HAS GONE BAD?

The first sign of asparagus that is no longer fresh is that it will be limp and possibly mushy or slimy. Furthermore, if you sniff it, it will emit a very not-so-fresh smell. Discard immediately.

If the asparagus is dry and woody, and is no longer a bright green color, it has also lost its freshness and should be discarded.

SHOULD I CUT OR SNAP THE ENDS OFF?

The ends are very hard, woody, and inedible. The part that is edible should snap off fairly easily. Start at the end of the asparagus and work your way up to see where it will snap off. I like to snap off one asparagus to get a reference point before cutting the rest with a knife.

Because we’re using an air fryer for this recipe, I recommend cutting the reedy ends off with a knife. It’s much quicker, and you want all the asparagus spears to be uniform to fit in the air fryer basket. Use the snapped-off asparagus end as your guide, line the asparagus up evenly from the ends, and cut.

There’s nothing wrong with snapping all of the asparagus, either. It just takes longer.

TOPPINGS FOR AIR FRYER ASPARAGUS

This recipe is awesome as is, but if you’re looking for a little something extra, plate up the asparagus and try one of these toppings:

• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• A squeeze of fresh lemon juice
• A drizzle of balsamic vinegar
• A drizzle of butter and finely minced garlic
• A smattering of Bleu cheese crumbles

Just Four Simple Ingredients!

• 1 pound fresh asparagus
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper

That’s it! We’re letting the asparagus be the star. You don’t need many ingredients to make this recipe delicious but feel free to add any of the extra toppings listed above.

HOW DO I MAKE ASPARAGUS IN THE AIR FRYER

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
2. Trim the ends from the asparagus with a knife, ensuring they will fit in your air fryer basket.
3. Lay the trimmed asparagus out in a single layer on the air fryer tray. Do not let them overlap so that they have room to crisp up. You might have to do 2 batches. Drizzle lightly with olive oil. Season generously with salt and pepper. Give the asparagus a quick toss.
4. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, until tender-crisp.

HOW DO I MAKE BACON WRAPPED ASPARAGUS BUNDLES?

You can’t go wrong adding bacon to this recipe! Luckily, it pairs beautifully with asparagus, and it cooks up magnificently in the air fryer, so it’s a win-win!

Creating a bacon and asparagus bundle couldn’t be easier. It’s an elegant way to serve this veggie, and it makes a great appetizer, too.

You’ll need asparagus, bacon slices, and toothpicks. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.

1. Clean and trim the asparagus.
2. Gather 3 stalks and wrap one slice of bacon around it. Then, secure it with a toothpick.
3. Place the bundles in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
4. Cook for 8-10 minutes, checking at the 8 minute mark for doneness.

What to serve it with

You can serve this with some other air fryer recipes such as air fryer orange chicken meatballs, air fryer chicken fried steak, or air fryer hamburgers (or vegan air fryer beyond burgers).

Here are some of my other favorite things to eat with asparagus that don’t require an air fryer: shrimp fried rice, chicken bites, or unadon.

How to Store Leftover Asparagus

Refrigerate: Place the leftover cooked asparagus in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Store it in the refrigerator as soon as possible, preferably within two hours of cooking.

Make sure the cooked asparagus is dry before storing it. Excess moisture can lead to spoilage. If you find that the asparagus is a bit wet, you can pat it dry with a paper towel before storing it.

Cooked asparagus is best when consumed within 3-4 days.