Air fryer Asparagus
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Air fryer Asparagus
Elevate your side dish game with our irresistible Air Fryer Asparagus recipe! Bursting with Italian seasoning, zesty garlic, sea salt, and a drizzle of olive oil, this recipe delivers a flavor-packed punch that will have everyone asking for seconds. Crispy yet tender, it's the perfect accompaniment to any meal, adding a vibrant touch of Mediterranean flair to your plate. Completely Gluten-free. Dairy-free + Oven Option.
I have been absolutely hooked on my air fryer lately—it's been a lifesaver, especially on busy weekdays. And let me tell you, Air Fryer Asparagus has been a recent favorite. Plus, whipping up Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan French Fries, and Air Fryer Jamaican Jerk Potato Wedges? Absolute winners. If you're not on the air fryer bandwagon yet, you're seriously missing out!
Air fryer asparagus is next-level amazing—crispy, crunchy, and tender all at once, with a flavor you can totally make your own. I went for Italian seasoning, but hey, why stop there? Cajun, lemon pepper, or my current fave, blackened seasoning, are all fair game!
Best part? It's just a few ingredients! I love topping mine with Parmesan and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for that extra zing, or for some Jamaican flare, my spicy Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce would be perfect! And get this—they're ready in just 15 minutes! Talk about a quick and delicious side dish, I love serving mine alongside pan-seared steak, or jerk chicken!
Jump to:
- What Is An Air-Fryer?
- What Does Air Fryer Asparagus Taste Like?
- How To Make Air Fryer Asparagus
- Ingredients
- Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Asparagus
- How To Trim Asparagus
- Does Asparagus Have Any Health Benefits?
- Air Fryer Asparagus Flavor Variations
- What To Serve With Air Fryer Asparagus
- Can I Use An Oven Instead Of An Air Fryer?
- Air Fryer Asparagus Q + A's
- More Completely Delicious Sides To Try
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Air fryer Asparagus
What Is An Air-Fryer?
An air fryer is like having a magical kitchen sidekick! Picture this: it cooks your favorite foods by swirling hot air around them, creating that crispy goodness you love without all the excess oil. From crispy fries to juicy chicken wings and more, it's a game-changer in the kitchen. My favorite is the Instant Vortex Plus, but feel free to use whatever you have. And if you don't have an air fryer, don't worry—I'll share below how to achieve perfectly tender Asparagus with an oven too!
What Does Air Fryer Asparagus Taste Like?
- Crisp on the outside + tender on the inside.
- Bursting with savory goodness!
- Seasoned to perfection + Each bite is a burst of flavor.
- Seriously addictive—watch out!
- They'll leave you craving more!
How To Make Air Fryer Asparagus
If your wondering how to cook air fryer asparagus don't worry it's super simple + easy! To prep the asparagus, snap off or trim the woody ends of each and discard, then mix together the oil and seasonings. Then simply pop in the air fryer basket and cook! NOTE: Thicker asparagus might take an extra 2-3 minutes.
Ingredients
Air Fryer Asparagus:
- Asparagus. The main event!
- Extra virgin olive oil. You can also use avocado oil or grapeseed oil!
- Sea salt + black pepper. This helps the flavor pop!
- Garlic powder. For that umami flavor.
- Italian seasoning. Homemade or store-bought.
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS:
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese. For a pop of cheesy goodness.
- Lemon juice. For a zesty citrus flavor.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR BAKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THESE ASPARAGUS!
Here, I’ve curated a list of baking + cooking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this Air Fryer Asparagus recipe. Everything from my air fryer, knives, parchment paper, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Asparagus
- Crispy texture outside, tender inside, for the perfect bite.
- Bursting with flavor from simple seasoning
- Quick prep + cooking, IDEAL for busy days!
- Versatile--- pairs well with a variety of main dishes, from chicken to steak to seafood.
- Healthy + nutritious addition to any meal, packed with vitamins and antioxidants.
How To Trim Asparagus
Trimming asparagus is a fairly simple process, here are my favorite ways:
Snap method --- Hold the asparagus spear towards the bottom and bend it until it snaps naturally. This will remove the tough, woody end. Discard the snapped-off portion.
Knife method --- Alternatively, you can use a knife to trim the asparagus. Place the asparagus on a cutting board and cut off the tough bottom ends, usually about 1-2 inches from the base.
I actually recommend the snapping method as it normally breaks exactly where the 'woody' part is!
Does Asparagus Have Any Health Benefits?
Yup, it sure does, here are some of the amazing benefits of adding this side into your family's dinners!
- Rich in essential vitamins + minerals like vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate and potassium.
- Contains antioxidants that help protect against oxidative stress and inflammation.
- Supports digestive health due to its fiber content.
- Acts as a diuretic, aiding in reducing bloating and supporting kidney health.
- Offers anti-inflammatory effects.
- Contains prebiotics that promote a healthy gut microbiome.
Air Fryer Asparagus Flavor Variations
If you decide to make this asparagus recipe more than once (Which you definitely will Haha) and want to try some other flavors here are some combos I love!
- If you’re a fan of spice then you will love this Cajun seasoning.
- Roasted garlic atop for a pop of garlic flavor.
- Candied bacon... Need I say more? Sprinkle on top for extra deliciousness.
- Everything Bagel Seasoning, You can seriously do no wrong with this stuff!
- For an extra crunch add panko breadcrumbs
- Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning-- Bursting with zesty + savory flavors
- Truffle oil or chili oil would also taste so good with this!
What To Serve With Air Fryer Asparagus
Air fryer asparagus seriously makes the best side dish! I love enjoying it with all sorts of mains, like juicy jerk chicken, a perfectly pan-seared steak, or honestly, anything that needs some greens on the side. Its crispy texture and flavorful seasoning go with pretty much anything, even seafood dishes like grilled salmon or shrimp. Whether you're cooking up something hearty or light, air fryer asparagus adds that extra touch of deliciousness to your plate!
Can I Use An Oven Instead Of An Air Fryer?
You bet! Simply preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and follow the instructions as you would. Pop them in the oven for roughly 15-20 minutes. Don't hesitate to tweak the time and temperature to your liking. Oven-roasting gives you that crispy goodness and amazing flavor it just takes a little longer.
Air Fryer Asparagus Q + A's
Place any leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, you can do so easily in an air fryer or oven at 350 degrees for about 5-10 minutes or until warmed through.
Place cooked + fully cooled asparagus in an airtight freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 12 months. Let roasted frozen asparagus thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in the oven or air fryer until heated through.
To make this dish dairy-free, simply add dairy-free parmesan cheese atop as garnish. I love Violife!
The asparagus should be tender and slightly crispy on the outside when done. You can test for doneness by piercing a spear with a fork—it should easily penetrate the flesh.
More Completely Delicious Sides To Try
Now that you've upped your side dish game with Air Fryer Asparagus, give these recipes that your entire family will love a try next:
- Garlic Herb Smashed Potatoes
- Baked Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings
- The Best Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
- Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings/Bites
- Baked Buffalo Chicken Tacos [Dairy-Free]
- Sticky Orange Chicken Popcorn Chicken
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Air fryer Asparagus recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!
Air fryer Asparagus
Ingredients
ASPARAGUS:
- 1 lb. fresh asparagus, organic
- 1-2 Tbsps Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
GARNISH:
- Freshly-grated parmesan
- Lemon slices or wedges
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 390 degrees and lightly spray the basket with cooking spray to keep the asparagus from sticking.
PREP THE ASPARAGUS + COOK:
- To prep the asparagus, snap off or trim the woody ends of each and discard.
- In a bowl, add the prepped asparagus, oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder and, Italian seasoning, rubbing everything together with your hands until combined and fully coated. NOTE: You can use gloves for this part if you don't want to get your hands dirty.
- Transfer the asparagus to the prepared basket and cook for 5-10 minutes or until asparagus are easily pierced with a fork. NOTE: Thicker asparagus might take an extra 2-3 minutes.
- Serve by adding grated parmesan or lemon zest atop asparagus along with lemon slices or wedges, if desired.
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Place any leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, you can do so easily in an air fryer or oven at 350 degrees for about 5-10 minutes or until warmed through.
- FREEZE: Place cooked + fully cooled asparagus in an airtight freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 12 months. Let roasted frozen asparagus thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in the oven or air fryer until heated through.
- DAIRY-FREE OPTION: To make this dish dairy-free, simply add dairy-free parmesan cheese atop as garnish. I love Violife!
Nutrition
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