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Home » Side Dishes + Vegetables » Air Fryer Asparagus

Air Fryer Asparagus

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon Jessica Randhawa
November 11, 2021
5 from 8 votes


Last Updated November 11, 2021 | 0 Comments

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Air Fryer Asparagus cooks to be perfectly tender with just enough bite to not be soggy. Cooked with less oil, have his easy and delicious asparagus on the table in less than 10 minutes!

Small plate filled with approximately 1 pound asparagus cooked in the air fryer.

Asparagus in the Air Fryer

The air fryer cooks many things really well. There are Brussels sprouts and green beans, as I’ve shared in the past, or Air fryer asparagus, as I’ll show you how to make in this post. After all, we all love asparagus, and one of the simplest ways to make it is using your air fryer.

There are a few main reasons why I love to cook asparagus in the air fryer:

  1. It cooks faster than roasting asparagus in the oven- up to half the time!
  2. Cooking in the air fryer requires less oil, making this healthy vegetable even healthier.
  3. It leaves the oven free for other things like baked chicken or that beef tenderloin you’re preparing for the holidays.

But mostly, it’s just really easy to make. A little olive oil, salt, and pepper is all it takes to have perfectly tender, never mushy, air fryer asparagus ready to enjoy!

Did you know?

5 spears (75g) of asparagus has just 17 calories, 0.2g fat, 3.1g carbs, and 1.5 g of fiber.

Bunch of cleaned and trimmed asparagus.

How to Cook Asparagus in the Air Fryer

  1. Wash and dry: Friendly reminder to wash and thoroughly dry the asparagus.
  2. Trim the ends: Trim or snap off the ends.
  3. Prepare the air fryer and season asparagus: Spray the inside basket with non-stick cooking spray, and place asparagus on the inside. Drizzle with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
  4. Cook: Set air fryer to 400 degrees F. Air fry for 7 minutes, shaking the basket once during cooking.

Tip

For extra flavor, sprinkle the asparagus with grated parmesan cheese in the second half of cooking or drizzle with fresh lemon juice just before serving.

Air fryer basket filled with uncooked asparagus.

How to Trim Asparagus

Since each bunch of asparagus is a little different, knowing exactly how much to trim off the ends of each asparagus spear will vary from one spear to the next.

You may trim the ends with a knife – about an inch or so. Or, snap off the woody ends with your hands. Don’t worry, they will snap in the right place. Unfortunately, this may mean losing up to a third of your asparagus if you purchased a bad batch or it’s out of season.

Tips for Picking Asparagus

  • Stalks should be firm, stand straight, and appear plump – in other words, they should not look wilted or wrinkly.
  • The tips should not be mushy or soft.
  • They should be a rich green color that fades gradually to a light creamy green at the bottom of the stalk.
Air Fryer basket filled wit cooked asparagus.

FAQ

Is it necessary to preheat the air fryer when cooking asparagus?

I personally find preheating unnecessary (when cooking asparagus). Of course, feel free to do so if that’s what you’re used to.

Can I cook frozen asparagus in the air fryer?

I haven’t had much luck with frozen asparagus. Even in the air fryer frozen asparagus turn out stringier, more watery (there’s a lot of water in frozen asparagus), and not as good as fresh asparagus.

If cooking less than 1-pound of asparagus, should the cooking time be reduced?

No. The cooking time stays the same no matter how much asparagus you are cooking – however, I do not recommend cooking more than 1-pound of asparagus at a time.

What air fryer do you recommend using?

I love using my Cosori Air Fryer.

Small plate filled with approximately 1 pound asparagus cooked in the air fryer.

More Air Fryer Recipes,

  • Air Fryer Chicken Wings
  • Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
  • Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp Recipe with Dipping Sauce
  • Air Fryer Green Beans
  • Easy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe
  • Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Breasts (No Breading!)
  • Air Fryer Bacon

Have you tried making this Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe?

Tell me about it in the comments below! I always love to hear your thoughts. And tag me #theforkedspoon on Instagram if you’ve made any of my recipes, I always love to see what you’re cooking in the kitchen.

Air Fryer basket filled wit cooked asparagus.

Air Fryer Asparagus

5 from 8 votes
Chef: Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked SpoonJessica Randhawa
Air Fryer Asparagus cooks to be perfectly tender with just enough bite to not be soggy. Cooked with less oil, have his easy and delicious asparagus on the table in less than 10 minutes!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 3 mins
Cook Time 7 mins
Total Time 10 mins
Course Side Dish, Vegetables
Cuisine American
Servings 4 as a side
Calories 32 kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 pound fresh asparagus - trimmed
  • non-stick cooking spray
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
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Instructions
 

  • Thoroughly was and dry the asparagus spears. Trim the tough woody ends with a sharp knife (about 1-inch) or simply snap off where they most naturally break (see notes).
  • Spray the inside basket of the air fryer with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Spread out the asparagus in the basket and drizzle with about one teaspoon of olive oil. Gently toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss again to evenly distribute the seasonings.
  • Close the air fryer basket and set the air fryer to 400°F. Cook for 7 minutes, shaking once about 3-4 minutes into the cooking time.
  • Once the time has been completed, check for doneness. If they are not done to your liking continue to cook at 1-2 minute intervals.

Jessica’s Notes

  • Instead of trimming with a knife, you may bend (or snap) the asparagus near the base. Don’t worry, they will snap in the right place. Unfortunately, when asparagus is not in season or it’s an especially bad batch, this may mean you lose a third or more off the end.
  • Especially thick or especially thin asparagus will require slightly different cooking times.
  • I love my Cosori Air Fryer
  • This air fryer asparagus recipe is gluten-free, vegan, keto, and paleo-approved.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 32kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 148mg | Potassium: 230mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 858IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 2mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword Air Fryer Asparagus, Air Fryer Roasted Asparagus, Asparagus in Air Fryer
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About Jessica

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

88 shares
Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

About Jessica Randhawa

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

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Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

I’m Jessica! Aka mom, wife, chef, and travel-obsessed photographer. Welcome to The Forked Spoon. Here you can browse hundreds of incredible family-friendly recipes covering dozens of diets, courses, and cuisines. Learn more about me.

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