Easy Asparagus in Air Fryer

Learn How to Cook Asparagus in Air Fryer with This Easy Recipe

Make your air fryer work its magic with this foolproof asparagus recipe! Whip up a healthy and flavorful vegetable side dish that pairs amazingly well with almost any meal.

All you need are three simple ingredients and 15 minutes of your time to create this nutritious and tasty veggie dish.

Asparagus is not only nutritious but also delicious. However, it might be a real challenge to cook it to perfection.

Asparagus is available in three sizes: thin, medium, and thick. In this recipe, I used thick asparagus, taking 10 to 12 minutes to cook in an air fryer. For thin asparagus, it usually takes 5-7 minutes, and for medium-sized ones, it’s typically 7-9 minutes.

Read on if you want to learn how to roast asparagus spears in an air fryer in just 10 minutes.

The Benefits of Using an Air Fryer

An air fryer is a kitchen device that cooks food by circulating hot air, giving it a crispy, golden texture like fried food but with much less oil. It’s a healthier option than traditional frying, as it consumes less energy compared to a traditional oven, and is versatile enough to cook various foods such as chicken, veggies, seafood, and desserts.

Its compact size and user-friendly design have made it a popular kitchen appliance, providing a healthier and more convenient way to prepare tasty meals in a shorter period.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Asparagus – When buying asparagus, go for firm, straight stalks with tightly closed tips. Before cooking, snap off or cut the woody stems with a sharp knife.

• Seasoning – Fine sea salt or table salt, along with freshly ground black pepper, is all you need to add flavor and finish the dish to perfection. Use the amount provided in the recipe card as a guide and adjust it to your taste.

• Oil – Use spray oil to lightly coat your asparagus spears. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or melted butter for extra crispness.

How to Cook Asparagus in Air Fryer

Roasting asparagus spears in an air fryer is straightforward and to achieve the best results you need to follow a few simple steps:

Preheat your air fryer just like you would with an oven. Find out more in this blog post about why and how you should preheat your air fryer. If your air fryer has a preheat button, use it. If not, set your air fryer to 195°C (380°F) and let it preheat for 5 minutes. Rinse the asparagus and trim off using a sharp knife or snap the woody ends.

Dry the asparagus, lightly spray them with olive oil, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place them in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping each other.

Cook for 10-12 minutes. Flip the asparagus halfway through for even cooking. Remove the asparagus from the air fryer basket and serve immediately with your favorite meal such as this delicious Grilled Cheese Burrito – Taco Bell Recipe.

Cooking Time for Air Fryer Asparagus

The cooking time for air fryer asparagus depends on the thickness of the stalks. For thin asparagus, preheat the air fryer to 195°C (380°F) and cook for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket every couple of minutes for even cooking. Medium asparagus requires 7-9 minutes, while thick ones need 10-12 minutes.

Keep in mind that cooking times can differ depending on the model and brand of your air fryer. Therefore, it’s crucial to monitor the asparagus regularly to avoid overcooking or undercooking.

Expert Tips From the Chef

• Clean the asparagus and trim the ends before cooking. You can either snap them off or cut them with a knife, depending on your preference.

• Spray the basket with cooking spray oil before adding the asparagus to prevent the asparagus from sticking to the basket.

• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Allow the hot air to circulate around the asparagus evenly, ensuring it cooks perfectly.

• Give the air fryer basket a gentle shake a few times or flip it using tongs while cooking to ensure even cooking.

• The cooking time depends on the size of your asparagus. Thinner ones take a bit less than stated in the recipe card, so just adjust the cooking time as needed and keep an eye on them.

• Serve the Air Fryer Asparagus immediately with your favorite meal or as a healthy snack while they are still crispy and delicious.

Flavor Variations

Although this air fryer asparagus is delightful with a sprinkle of simple salt and pepper, there are a few other flavor options you might want to explore:

You can toss the asparagus with finely chopped garlic, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a good quality olive oil before air frying. Reduce the amount of salt and sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese over the cooked asparagus for extra seasoning.

Drizzle balsamic vinegar over the asparagus during the last few minutes of cooking for a sweet and tangy glaze. For some Asian touch, whisk together soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil, and garlic powder in a bowl, then toss the asparagus in the mixture before air frying.

Or Spice them up by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the asparagus before air frying!

Serving Air Fryer Asparagus

• Pair Air Fryer Asparagus with roasted salmon fillets or Air Fryer Lamb Rib Chops for a delicious and nutritious dinner.

• Air Fryer Asparagus pairs perfectly with Air Fryer Chicken Legs, Air Fryer Steak Bites and Mushrooms, Air Fryer Fish Sticks From Scratch, Air Fryer Marinated Salmon Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Skewers – Shish Kebabs, or Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas – Quick and Easy for a healthy and satisfying meal.

• Toss air-fried asparagus spears with cooked pasta or add them to your favorite salad for an extra boost of flavor and nutrition.

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