This air fryer asparagus is roasted to perfection in just minutes. It's an easy vegetable side dish that the whole family will love! All it takes is some asparagus, extra virgin olive oil, and salt & pepper (for extra flavor, you can add some Parmesan cheese)! Give it a try; it will be your new favorite method for cooking asparagus!
Serve with my air fryer whole roasted chicken or air fryer meatloaf for a tasty meal that's super easy to make!
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I am always looking for ways to get my family to eat and ENJOY more vegetables, and asparagus is one of my favorites!
The asparagus comes out deliciously crispy on the ends, tender, and not at all soggy, with a vibrant green color!
It is quick and easy, and roasted asparagus is an excellent complement to almost any entrée.
🥘 Ingredients
With only three ingredients (besides salt and pepper), you can cook up this yummy side dish on the fly any day of the week! Check out my favorite mix-ins and seasonings below for some tasty flavor variations!
- Fresh Asparagus – 1 pound of asparagus. Choose firm stalks with the tips tightly closed. Larger asparagus stalks will be tougher, while slender stalks will be tender.
- Olive Oil – 1 tablespoon of olive oil. I like extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor; coconut, avocado, or your favorite cooking oil can also be used.
- Salt & Pepper – I use 1 teaspoon, but you can use more or less to taste! You can try additional seasoning and herbs as well. Try fresh garlic, lemon juice, or red pepper flakes.
- Parmesan Cheese (optional) – This is optional, but the salty deliciousness makes the asparagus more kid-friendly!
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
📖 Variations
- Buttered - After roasting the asparagus in your air fryer, transfer it to a bowl and toss it with 1 tablespoon of melted butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then serve.
- Garlic Parmesan - In addition to tossing the raw asparagus with salt and pepper, add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese after air frying to perfection. Yum!
- Balsamic - Add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar when tossing the trimmed asparagus with your cooking oil. Season as usual, and then roast in your air fryer.
🔪 How To Make Air Fryer Asparagus
Prep for air fryer roasted asparagus is done in 3 minutes or less! Wash and trim, toss with oil and some seasoning, pop it into your air fryer basket, and cook!
You'll need an air fryer, measuring spoons, and some kitchen tongs to get started.
I find that 1 large bunch (about 1 pound) of asparagus makes about 4 servings. If making more, work in batches so the asparagus cooks evenly and doesn't crowd your air fryer.
- Preheat. Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (205°C).
- Prepare the asparagus. Wash 1 pound of asparagus well and trim off the ends that are yellowish/white and woody, then pat dry.
- Drizzle with oil. Place the asparagus in a large bowl and drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil (or melted coconut oil) over the top. Stir or toss to coat the asparagus with oil, then add 1 teaspoon of salt & pepper or more to taste.
- Air fry. Place the asparagus spears into the air fryer basket (or tray), then cook at 400°F (205°C) for 6-8 minutes.
- Garnish and serve. When the asparagus is crispy at the tips, and the stalks are tender and bright green, remove it from the air fryer and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese (optional), or top it with some crumbled, crisped bacon!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- Cooking Time Adjustment: Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of the asparagus. Slim, thin bunches cook faster and may need less time, while thicker spears might require the full cooking duration. For desired tenderness, you might need to add a few extra minutes.
- Trimming Asparagus: To prepare asparagus for air frying, rinse under cold water first. Then, trim the woody, whitish bottom part using kitchen shears or a sharp knife. Alternatively, you can snap the ends off with your hands; the stalk will naturally break at the start of the tough part. Dispose of the ends appropriately.
- Avoid Overcrowding: When placing asparagus in the air fryer, ensure there's enough space for air to circulate. Overcrowding can hinder even cooking.
🥡 Storing & Reheating
If you have any leftovers, place them in an airtight, shallow container or wrap them tightly with heavy aluminum foil or plastic wrap and put them in the refrigerator. If stored properly, cooked asparagus will keep well refrigerated for 3-5 days.
Reheating
It’s simple to reheat your roasted asparagus, but don’t use the microwave! The veggie will turn to mush! Instead, place under the oven broiler for a few minutes or use a toaster oven.
You can also simply put it back in the air fryer for about 3 minutes at 350°F (175°C), just until it’s heated through and a bit crispy.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
The exact answer will depend on a few factors, including the thickness of your asparagus and the make and model of your air fryer. I find 6-8 minutes at 400°F (205°C) perfect for a bundle of average-sized asparagus.
You can play with different seasoning blends and flavor combinations all you'd like! This asparagus is delicious with just salt and pepper, but you certainly aren't limited to that. Try adding some garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, or even Cajun seasoning!
Yes, it freezes pretty well! Once the asparagus has cooled, transfer it to a freezer bag and squeeze out the air or put it in an airtight container. Pop it in the freezer and use it within 3 months for the best flavor, but it will keep for up to 6 months.
😋 More Air Fryer Recipes
- Grilled Ham and Cheese - Elevate your grilled cheese game with this crispy and delicious air fryer 'grilled' ham and cheese!
- Frozen Hash Brown Patties - Pop some frozen hashbrowns in your air fryer, and they come out golden and perfectly crispy!
- Duck Legs - You'll be shocked at how crispy the skin and succulent the meat of these duck legs turns out!
- Pigs In A Blanket - Super easy pigs in a blanket that make a great snack, breakfast, or party appetizer!
- Frozen Chicken Wings - Whip up perfectly cooked chicken wings in half the time with your air fryer!
- Air Fryer Shrimp - In just minutes, you can have juicy, perfectly cooked shrimp to add to all your favorite recipes (or snack on)!
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📖 Recipe Card
Air Fryer Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 lbs asparagus (washed and ends trimmed)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or coconut oil)
- 1 teaspoon each, salt & pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (205°C)
- Wash and trim the ends off the 1 lbs asparagus and pat dry.
- Place the asparagus in a large bowl or plate and drizzle with the 1 tablespoon olive oil. Toss to coat the asparagus in the olive oil and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon each, salt & pepper.
- Put the asparagus spears in the air fryer basket (or on trays) then close the air fryer and cook at 400°F (205°C) for 6-8 minutes.
- When the asparagus is done, remove it from the air fryer and serve. (optional) Garnish with grated 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese or crumbled bacon.
Notes
- Thicker asparagus may require a bit more cooking time, and thinner may need less. Watch any slim, thin bunches of asparagus more closely, as they will likely finish quickly. Thicker pieces of asparagus will likely require the entire cooking time. Based on your preferences for how tender you like your asparagus, you may need a few minutes more.
- There is a simple way to trim your asparagus when preparing it for air frying. Rinse the asparagus under cold water to remove any debris. Then, using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, trim the bottom of each spear. Be sure to remove the woody, whiteish-colored bottom part.
- It’s also easy to snap the ends off with your hands – the stalk should naturally break where the tough part of the spear begins. Compost or toss the ends and continue to prepare!
- Be careful not to crowd the air fryer basket or trays, as the air won’t be able to circulate either.
Connie says
Amazing! Cooked to perfection and delicious!