Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe

You’re gonna swoon for the crisp, tender, sweet simplicity of this air fryer asparagus recipe.

Asparagus is a healthy spring garden vegetable that lends itself well to all different styles of cooking.

This scrumptious Springtime side dish can be on the table in under 10 minutes with or without the creamy Hollandaise.

Air Fryer asparagus gives me the best qualities of grilled asparagus without having to drag out the grill. I can still enjoy the caramelized crispy outsides and sweet, tender insides of delectable and nutritious asparagus.

Like grilling, broiling or roasting; air frying asparagus concentrates the natural sugars in this yummy vegetable. Those sugars caramelize on the outside and leave the tender middles deliciously sweet as moisture evaporates.

No special skill is required to prepare this scrumptious side dish. As a matter of fact, no special ingredients are required, either.

You’ll love this easy air fryer asparagus recipe and enjoy it as long as asparagus is in season.

The Ingredients

Fresh Asparagus spears, some avocado oil from the pantry along with salt and pepper are all that’s needed to make superbly delicious asparagus. The cooking method really doesn’t matter. The ingredients are still the same.

• Fresh Asparagus Spears, trimmed
• Avocado Oil
• Salt and Pepper, to taste

How to Store Asparagus

Wash — Wash the asparagus spears in cold water and then dry them thoroughly.

Trim Ends — Begin by removing about one-half inch off the bottom of each spear. If you chose healthy, moist asparagus, that should be all that’s necessary to get any dry ends off. You can do this by cutting the ends off or simply snapping them off near the base.

Upright in Water — Stand your asparagus upright in a container with around one inch of water in the bottom. The water should just cover the ends of your spears. Don’t overfill it.

Store in Fridge — Place the container of cleaned asparagus spears in the fridge. 

Possible Air Fryer Asparagus Variations

Asparagus is delicious just on its own. Roasted with oil, salt and pepper, asparagus is a fabulously simple and flavorful side dish for any meal. And most days, that’s exactly how I serve it.

However, there are possible variations to add interest and pizzazz to this yummy garden green.

• Lemon — Whisk lemon juice into the oil you use to toss the asparagus. Salt and pepper. Cook as usual and top the finished dish with some lemon zest. Your air fryer asparagus will be bright and company special.
• Hollandaise — Hollandaise sauce gives asparagus an air of elegance and excitement. My Easy Immersion Blender Hollandaise recipe is included in the NOTES section of the recipe card, below.

• Parmesan — Toss the asparagus in avocado oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cook as usual. In the last two to three minutes of cooking, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan onto each asparagus spear. Continue cooking as usual until the Parmesan cheese is melted and lightly browned.
• Buttered — Melt 2 Tablespoons of butter. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of All Purpose Seasoning and 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic. Pour the butter mixture over Air Fried Asparagus as soon as you remove it from the air fryer. Toss to coat and serve.

I Don’t Have an Air Fryer

Alternate Asparagus Cooking Methods

Oven Roasted — Asparagus can be tossed in the same ingredients as the recipe, added to a sheet pan and placed in a preheated 425° oven. Roast for around 10 minutes.

Grilled — Preheat the grill to between 350° and 400°. Place the asparagus that has been tossed in your recipe ingredients across the grill grates. Close the lid and cook for 7 to 9 minutes, until the asparagus is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Much the same as air frying asparagus.

Stir-Fried — Cut asparagus spears into pieces about three inches long. Heat oil in a wok or skillet until it just begins to smoke. Add the asparagus along with salt and pepper. Fry until asparagus is tender but still bright green. Add 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger and 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic with 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Stir fry 30 more seconds and then serve.

Steamed — Use a steamer pan set. If you don’t have one you can place a heat-proof strainer or a rack over the pan. You want the asparagus to be above the water level and not touching it. Place about two inches of water in the bottom of the pan. Add the rack, steamer basket or strainer over the water. Bring the water to a boil. Add the asparagus to the basket or rack. Steam the asparagus for five to ten minutes, until it is bright green and tender. Toss the asparagus in butter, salt and pepper. 

Dishes that Pair Well with Asparagus

Air fryer asparagus is a very versatile side dish. It will be a delicious complement to most of your favorite family dinners.

Asparagus makes amazing pizzas and is also a good complement to eggs. You will love it in place of ham for a scrumptious, meatless Eggs Benedict!

Believe it or not, asparagus can even be cut and tossed into salads, raw.

Try it with some of our favorite main dishes, too.

How to Make Air Fryer Asparagus

1. Preheat air fryer to 400°.
2. Trim the asparagus ends.
3. Toss the spears with avocado oil.Salt and pepper to taste.
4. Arrange in air fryer basket in a single layer.
5. Air fry asparagus for 6 to 8 minutes at 400°.
6. Serve as is or with one of the topping variations suggested in the post. 

The Recipe