This air fryer asparagus recipe is quick, easy, and loaded with flavor. The asparagus is tender on the inside, crispy on the outside, and packed with parmesan flavor. Even better, it only takes 7 minutes to make!
Turn fresh or frozen asparagus into a healthy, easy side dish the whole family will love any night of the week using just a few simple ingredients. If you're short on olive oil, don't worry. Avocado oil works just as well. And guess what? This is a naturally gluten-free recipe!
This recipe is the perfect side for dishes like beef or chicken, especially recipes like these grilled chicken tenderloins or grilled chicken burgers.
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Why You'll Love This Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe
- Crispy and Tender: The air fryer creates asparagus with a crispy outside and a perfectly tender inside.
- A Hint of Citrus: Using Costabile Brand lemon olive oil gives the parmesan asparagus a hint of bright citrus flavor.
- Quick and Easy: At 400 degrees, you can have these air fryer asparagus done in just 7 minutes. Depending on the thickness of your stalks, cooking time may vary a minute or 2.
- Healthy: By using the air fryer, less oil is needed to get these asparagus perfectly crispy.
- Versatile: Air fryer parmesan asparagus go well as a side dish with just about anything.
Ingredients
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This delicious recipe only requires a handful of simple ingredients you can find in your kitchen or your local grocery store to create all its delicious flavor.
- Asparagus: Asparagus are loaded with vitamins and nutrients like vitamins A, E, and K, as well as folic acid. It's also a diuretic, which is very helpful if you tend to retain water from sodium.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil helps the asparagus crisp up and adds a dose of healthy fat to the recipe.
- Parmesan Cheese: What would asparagus be without parmesan cheese?!
See the recipe card at the end of the post for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
- Skip the parmesan cheese and go for mozzarella cheese.
- For a lower-calorie version, omit the cheese.
- Wrap the asparagus in bacon for a kick of smoky flavor.
- Add a teaspoon of minced garlic for a more savory flavor.
- Toss the asparagus in coconut aminos or gluten-free soy sauce for Asian flair.
If you love crispy, tender air fryer sides like this one, try my air fryer sweet potato fries.
How to Make Air Fryer Asparagus
This delicious asparagus is one of the easiest side dishes you'll ever make. Simply toss, air fry, and enjoy. That's really all there is to it!
1: Wash and dry the asparagus. Then, cut off the bottom 1 ½ inches of the stalks.
2: In a large bowl, toss the asparagus with olive oil, sea salt, garlic powder, and parsley. Give a good stir to ensure an even coating.
3: Arrange the asparagus in an even layer in the air fryer basket and top with parmesan cheese.
4: Air fry at 400 degrees for 6 minutes, adjusting as necessary depending on the size of the asparagus.
Hint
Be sure your asparagus are in a single layer for even cooking and the best texture.
Storage
Refrigerate your asparagus for up to 4 days in an air-tight container. For longer storage, freeze the asparagus for up to 3 months in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Defrost before reheating.
To reheat the asparagus, air fry it at 400 degrees for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through.
What to Serve with Asparagus Air Fryer
These air fryer asparagus are a versatile side dish that pairs well with almost anything. Serve it with a variety of dishes for a full, delicious meal.
- Try this garlic parmesan chicken pasta for a savory meal.
- For a healthy meal, try this air-fried grilled chicken breast recipe.
- For more veggies, try this sauteed zucchini and squash.
- Toss the asparagus into a salad like this grinder salad recipe.
Tips
- Cut off the bottom 1 ½ inches of the asparagus to remove the woody portion of the stalks.
- Be sure your asparagus is in an even layer in the air fryer basket for even cooking and crisping.
- Be gentle when mixing the asparagus, oil, and seasonings to avoid breaking the asparagus stalks.
FAQ
Asparagus are very good for you! They are full of fiber, potassium, vitamins, and minerals.
Healthier eating isn't just a selling point for air fryers. It's actually true. Air frying drastically reduces the amount of oil needed to cook food. In addition, it reduces cleanup immensely.
When choosing your asparagus, avoid stalks that appear limp or wilted. In addition, the tips of the asparagus should be closed and compact, free of spreading of softness. Finally, the asparagus should be a rich, green color that softly fades to white at the bottom of the stalk.
Trim the bottoms of your asparagus and place them in a glass or jar with about an inch of water at the bottom. Then, cover the entire thing with a plastic bag and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
More Air Fryer Recipes
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Asparagus
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bundle asparagus
- ½ tsp Costabile Brand lemon olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoon olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ tsp dry parsley
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese shredded
Instructions
- Wash and dry the asparagus. Then, cut off the bottom 1 ½ inches of the stalks.
- In a large bowl, toss the asparagus with the olive oil, sea salt, garlic powder, and parsley. Give a good stir to ensure an even coating.
- Arrange the asparagus in an even layer in the air fryer basket and top with parmesan cheese.
- Air fry at 400 degrees for 6 minutes, adjusting as necessary depending on the size of the asparagus.
Notes
- Refrigerate for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Defrost before reheating.
- Air fry at 400 degrees for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through, or microwave individual portions at 1-minute intervals.
- When choosing asparagus, look for stalks that are vibrant green with no marring and tight heads. Ideally, they should have their bases in water.
- Preheat your air fryer for even cooking and accurate cooking time. It only takes about 5 minutes.
- Use a gentle swirling and tossing motion to coat the asparagus to avoid breaking the stalks.
Jaleah says
These asparagus are so good! Such a simple recipe.
Krystle Smith says
The asparagus came out so crisp on the outside and tender in the middle, and that Parmesan flavor was just right. I'm already excited to make it again.
Lathiya says
This worked exactly as written, thanks! My family loved it. I served it for our dinner along with grilled chicken.
Jaleah says
These asparagus are so delicious! Super yummy and easy to put together on the side of any meal.
Swathi says
This air-fryer asparagus is delicious that cheesy topping makes it a more interesting dish. Even kids become fans of it.
Lora says
A very easy and flavorful way to make asparagus using the air-fryer!
Andrea says
So much better than roasting in the oven, and way faster too.
Elizabeth says
My family loved this! The added parmesan cheese was a plus; such an easy side dish for our weeknight meals!
Swathi says
Air fryer aspargaus looks perfect, My family enjoyed it. This is first time I tried asparagus cooked in air fryer.
Leslie says
Such a great way to make asparagus!
DK says
Yes! I love asparagus dishes and this one is perfect! The parmesan cheese really makes a difference!
Ashley says
Love this super easy air fryer side recipe. It's perfect for busy weeknights and the summer! No need to heat up the kitchen with the oven. Hooray!