In less than 10 minutes you can have this ultra crispy Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe ready and on your dinner table! Simply toss asparagus spears in a bit of oil, with salt and pepper and then air fry for just a few short minutes. This quick and easy side dish recipe is also low-carb, keto, vegan, Whole30, and Paleo!
Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe
If you have never made asparagus in the air fryer then you are in for a lovely surprise!
Not only do you get ultra crispy spears but they’re also SO super quick to cook up.
I’m talking like less than 10 minutes kinda’ quick. Even roasted asparagus takes closer to 20 minutes to make!
You can then keep it super simple and just season with a bit of oil, salt and pepper.
Or spruce it up a bit with a few other simple seasoning suggestions. (Make sure you take a peak at these below!)
It make the best and easiest side dish to serve with just about any main dish.
It’s also great for anyone on a plant-based or low-carb diet.
Ingredients
The main ingredients you need for this recipe are:
- Asparagus – one pound of asparagus spears will fit perfectly into a 6-quart air fryer.
- Oil – either avocado or olive oil.
- Garlic – fresh garlic cloves are preferred but garlic powder may also be used.
- Salt and pepper – season to taste.
There are also quite a few seasoning substitutions you can make, so be sure to read below for more information!
How to Trim Asparagus
One of the key steps in cooking perfect air fryer asparagus is to make sure you completely remove the woody ends.
This particular part of the spear is tough, fibrous, and extremely difficult to chew.
(So much so that I’ve actually choked on one and my hubby saved my life with the heimlich maneuver!)
And there are actually 2 different ways you can trim asparagus: the knife method and the snap method.
Trimming Asparagus with a Knife
- Locate the junction where the light white/brown end starts to turn darker green. (step 1 above)
- Cut at this point to remove the woody end. (step 2 above)
Snapping Asparagus Ends by Hand
While trimming with a knife is quick, there’s a better and more precise way to ensure you remove all of the fibrous ends – and that’s snapping each spear by hand.
- Hold one spear in both hands and place your thumb at the junction of the light brown and green part. (step 1 above)
- Press lightly until you can feel where the asparagus is soft versus where it is hard and continue pressing until the spear snaps in two. (step 2 above)
How to Make
Once you have the asparagus trimmed you’ll want to mix it together with the oil and seasoning ingredients:
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Whisk together oil, crushed garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. (step 1 above)
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Add asparagus spears and stir until they are well coated in the sauce. (step 2 above)
Air Frying
The air fryer is sort of like the oven in that it needs a little bit of time to preheat before using. It’s best if you can let your air fryer heat up for at least 3 minutes before adding in your food for the best results.
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Heat air fryer to 370°F for at least 3 minutes. (step 3 above)
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Place asparagus into the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 6-9 minutes, tossing the basket halfway through. (step 4 above)
Cook’s Tip: Smaller spears will take closer to 6 minutes to cook while larger spears will take up to 9 minutes.)
Variations to Try
While this air fryer asparagus tastes incredible with just some simple salt and pepper, there are a few other seasoning options you can try:
- Top with some grated Parmesan cheese and lemon zest.
- Drizzle on a bit of balsamic glaze.
- Give it a little Asian flair with some teriyaki sauce.
FAQs
What size Air Fryer is best for this recipe?
This recipe was created using a 6-quart Air Fryer. However, a smaller or larger air fryer may also be used.
If using a 4-5 quart model, you may need to increase your cook time by a few minutes. If using a larger air fryer, you’ll want to decrease your cook time by 1-2 minutes.
Do I need to use that much oil?
One tablespoon is just the right amount to evenly coat about 1 pound of asparagus. You can reduce this amount to 1-2 teaspoons or even spritz with some non-stick cooking spray. It is not recommended to cook the asparagus completely oil-free, though.
What type of oil is best for air frying?
A higher smoke point oil is best for air frying, such as avocado or safflower oil. Olive oil may also be used but you’ll want to make sure to keep your cooking temperature below 375°F.
Other Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
If you want a few other simple vegetable side dish ideas to make in the air fryer, you may also enjoy:
Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe
In less than 10 minutes you can have this ultra crispy Air Fryer Asparagus ready and on your dinner table! Simply toss asparagus spears in a bit of oil, with salt and pepper and then air fry for just a few short minutes. This quick and easy side dish recipe is also low-carb, keto, vegan, Whole30, and Paleo!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. asparagus ends trimmed*
- 1 Tbsp. oil olive or avocado
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
Instructions
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Heat air fryer to 370°F for at least 3 minutes.
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Whisk together oil, crushed garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
-
Add trimmed asparagus spears and stir until they are well coated in the sauce.
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Place asparagus into the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 6-9 minutes, tossing the basket halfway through. (Smaller spears will take closer to 6 minutes to cook while larger spears will take up to 9 minutes.)
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Serve asparagus with a sprinkle of additional black pepper and salt, to taste. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- You can either trim asparagus with a knife or by using the snap method:
- With a knife: Locate the junction where the light white/brown end starts to turn darker green. Cut at this point to remove the woody end.
- Snap method: Hold one spear in both hands and place your thumb at the junction of the light brown and green part. Press lightly until you can feel where the asparagus is soft versus where it is hard and continue pressing until the spear snaps in two.
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