Super Easy Air Fryer Asparagus

Air Fryer Asparagus is a healthy and delicious side dish for any meal. Perfectly seasoned air fried asparagus is easy to make with only a few simple ingredients.

Air fryer asparagus on a platter.


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Air fried asparagus

Air fryers open up an entirely new way to make healthy, convenient, and delicious food. These little machines give you all the crispiness of regular deep-frying without the fat and calories. While most people use air fryers for making dishes like wings and French fries, they are equally great at cooking veggies such as asparagus.

Making asparagus in the air fryer is quick and easy, but best of all, it produces a side dish that even the most veggie-phobic kid will gobble up.

Fresh asparagus cooked in the air fryer is incredibly healthy! Asparagus is a great source of fiber, anti-inflammatory nutrients, and vitamins.

Air fried asparagus is low fat, low calorie, gluten free, paleo, vegan, low carb, and keto friendly. Wow!

Wood tongs holding three air fried asparagus spears.

Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need:

  • Fresh asparagus
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder 
Air fryer asparagus ingredients on a marble surface.

Choosing asparagus for this air fryer recipe

There are several varieties of asparagus, and of course, you can find them in all different sizes. For this asparagus air fryer recipe, it is best to stick with the standard green asparagus that is the most common in supermarkets and the least expensive.

As for the size, choose stalks that are about the size of your thumb. Not only do thicker asparagus stalks hold up better to the heat of an air fryer, but believe it or not, they are more tender!

However, don’t buy any asparagus that is limp or soft to the touch. The color should be vibrant and not dull. Look for a bundle of asparagus with stalks that are roughly the same size, so they will take the same amount of time to cook.

Preparing asparagus for cooking

One of the most common bits of kitchen wisdom is that if you gently bend an asparagus stalk, it will naturally break where it should. But is it true? Some culinary experts are against the stalk snapping, claiming that doing so wastes too much of an expensive vegetable.

As an alternative, these professionals suggest that it is better to trim off just a half-inch or so from the end and then peel the last inch or two of the stalk to remove only the tougher outer layer. In almost all restaurant kitchens, prep cooks simply slice off the ends of the stalks and don’t even bother peeling. Choose the method that makes you the most comfortable.

Once trimmed up, give the asparagus a little rinse and dry thoroughly. If you have an oil spray, the easiest way to season the stalks is to lay them out on a cutting board, give them a spritz or two of olive oil, and then sprinkle on the seasonings.

You can then roll the asparagus back and forth on the board to ensure they have an even coating. If you don’t have an oil sprayer, put everything in a zip-top bag and shake well.

How to cook asparagus in an air fryer

  1. Wash and dry the asparagus. 
  2. Cut off the woody ends of the asparagus. 
  3. Place the asparagus in a large bowl or zip-top bag. 
  4. Add the olive oil and spices.
Collage of preparing asparagus for air frying.
  1. Mix and coat the asparagus evenly.
  2. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. 
  3. Place the asparagus in the air fryer basket. 
  4. Air fry at 350°F for 12 minutes, flipping the asparagus halfway through or shaking the basket.
  5. Remove the asparagus from the air fryer basket and serve.
Collage of air frying seasoned asparagus spears.

What to serve with air fried asparagus

Air fryer asparagus goes great with roast beef, honey baked ham, and seafood. Serve it with lemon to squeeze over it before enjoying.

Air fryer asparagus, lemon wedge, and fork on a plate.

Tips for cooking asparagus in the air fryer

  • Keep your asparagus fresh by trimming the bottom and wrapping only the bottom with a moist paper towel. Keep in a loose plastic bag in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Asparagus is done when it is bright green and fork-tender. Don’t overcook, or the stalks may become mushy.
  • Cooking times can vary depending on the thickness of the asparagus spears. Reduce the time for thinner ones and increase the time for thicker ones.

How to store and reheat leftovers

You can store the asparagus in an airtight container in the fridge and eat it within 24 hours.

Reheat leftover asparagus in your air fryer for 2-3 minutes.

Check out more of our air fryer recipes on YouTube!

Air fryer asparagus spears on a platter.

Love asparagus? Try these recipes!

Great roasted vegetable recipes

Looking for more air fryer vegetable recipes? Try these!

Check out more of my vegetable side dish recipes and the best recipes for air fryer here on CopyKat!

three air fried asparagus spears held by tongs

Air Fryer Asparagus

Air Fryer Asparagus is a delicious side dish to make for dinner. Fresh asparagus is lightly seasoned then air fried to perfection – crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. This nutritious side dish is gluten-free, paleo, vegan, low carb, and keto friendly.
5 from 2 votes
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Air Fryer Asparagus
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 56kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound fresh asparagus
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

  • Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees.
  • Wash and dry the asparagus.
  • Cut off the woody ends of the asparagus.
  • Place the asparagus in a large bowl or Ziplock bag.
  • Add the olive oil and the spices. Mix and coat evenly.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees.
  • Place the asparagus in the air fryer basket, making sure to not overlap.
  • Air fry for a total of 12 minutes, flipping the asparagus halfway through or shaking the basket.
  • Remove when done and serve with your favorite entree.

Equipment

Nutrition

Calories: 56kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 236mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 857IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 2mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Melissa Lee Ragsdill

    5 stars
    Firstly, No-No, I will not show Mr Bob how it goes so Fab with Ham, cause I can’t have that now, lol 😛
    BUT DO Love this, and Can Not wait, and OSO excited I Happen to have all of those ingred’s, so rare and yay!!
    Now to buy the Air Fryer :).. But Mr Bob is all about the health even more now, so it’ next on our list!!
    (had to come after his “sweet new ride”, of a recliner set, LOL!! )
    Ya Know I’m a fan of your recipes so, Thanks for this and will let ya know as soon as I can, how they turned out!!

  2. Wendy

    5 stars
    Once you’ve roasted Asparagus in the air fryer you’ll never turn on your stove again. The oil is a must but I’m curious why salt isn’t listed as an ingredient?

5 from 2 votes

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