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Air Fryer Asparagus

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posted: 06/02/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

Air Fryer Asparagus is a fast, healthy, side dish recipe that comes together in just 10 minutes. This is the perfect vegetable to serve with just about any meat dish.

overhead photo of air fryer asparagus in the basket of an air fryer

Asparagus is one of my very favorite vegetables. It is so easy to prepare, and it takes very little seasoning or effort to turn it into a fantastic side dish. In this Air Fryer Asparagus recipe, we are taking this versatile vegetable and making it even easier. Free up your oven by making this fast side right on the countertop in your air fryer.

How to Cook Asparagus in Air Fryer

This is just a brief overview of this fast recipe. For all the times, temperatures, and measurements, make sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the printable recipe.

  1. Preheat your air fryer.
  2. Prepare the asparagus. While the air fryer is preheating, wash and trim the asparagus. Read more on this below.
  3. Season the asparagus. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Add half the asparagus. Spray it with cooking spray, and then sprinkle it with 1/4 teaspoon of garlic salt. Continue with the other half of the asparagus.
  4. Cook the asparagus. Close up the air fryer and cook the asparagus for three minutes. Toss the asparagus and cook for three more minutes. Please see my note below on when cooking times will vary.
TOP PICK

My Favorite Air Fryer

This Cosori Air Fryer is what you see pictured here, and is my favorite! The basket can hold so much and cooks things perfectly.
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Varying Cooking Times for Asparagus

You will notice when you shop for asparagus that it will vary a great deal in thickness. The asparagus you see here is unusually thin. It took only about 4 minutes to cook. On the other hand, I’ve had much thicker asparagus that takes closer to 8 minutes. You will want to change the cooking time based on how thick it is, keeping in mind that 6 minutes is perfect for the average asparagus spear.

Picking out Asparagus

There are a few things to look for when you are shopping for asparagus at the grocery store or farmer’s market.

  • Look for a bunch that has relatively the same thickness of asparagus – it will be easier for it to all cook evenly.
  • Pick a bunch in which all of the stems look thick and plump. If they have wrinkles or dimples in the skin, skip that one.
  • Grab an asparagus bunch that has tight buds at the top and tops that are fresh looking and not wilted.

Storing Fresh Asparagus

If you are making this later in the week and need to store your asparagus, you will want to follow these steps:

  1. Cut off the bottom of the asparagus – about 1/2 an inch.
  2. Place the whole bunch in a glass of water.
  3. Store in the refrigerator until you are ready to make this delicious air fryer asparagus recipe.

Prepping Asparagus

When it is time to make your asparagus in the air fryer, take the asparagus stalks out of the refrigerator and give it a quick rinse. Now you want to snap off the rough woody ends. If you bend the asparagus as seen below, it will tell you exactly where it should be snapped off. Once you snap one, you can line it up with the rest of the asparagus, and cut the rest of the bottoms.

woman holding asparagus and snapping the bottom part of the stem off
woman using a knife to cut off the woody bottoms of asparagus

Seasonings

You will notice that I went really light with the seasonings in this recipe. I love the taste of asparagus, so I think that it needs very little, and I love the garlic salt on these.

That being said, there are so many ideas that you could go with to change this up. Here are a few of my own seasoning blends that I think would be delicious with these. Just keep in mind that you want to go easy with them.

Or, you can go with the peanut butter to asparagus’ jelly and just squeeze some fresh lemon juice on them after they come out of the air fryer. That would also be delicious.

Variations

In addition to the different seasonings listed above, you could change up this recipe in a number of different ways.

  • Add cheese: Like with my roasted green beans, these would be fantastic with a little sprinkling of finely grated Parmesan cheese at the end just before serving.
  • Use fresh herbs: Asparagus are a delightful summer side dish. Grab some fresh herbs from your garden to garnish these at the end. Parsley, basil or even fresh dill would be delicious on these.
  • Toss in some lemon: Like with my oven roasted asparagus, lemon zest and asparagus go together perfectly. Zest a little over these after they are done cooking.
asparagus in the basket of an air fryer, partially in the cosori air fryer

Leftovers

Leftover asparagus can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. These are delicious cold, but you could also use your air fryer to reheat them. I also love chopping up cooked asparagus, and tossing it in a salad. That would be a perfect way to use up leftovers of this delicious recipe.

FAQ

Do I need to blanch asparagus before frying?

No, these cook perfectly in the air fryer without the added step of blanching.

How do you know when asparagus is done?

Asparagus is done when it is fork tender. In other words, when you can easily spear the asparagus with a fork, it is done. This, however, is a matter of preference. Some like their asparagus with a little more bite to it than others.

Why is my asparagus slippery?

This is an indication that it was cooked too long. Next time shave a minute or two off the cooking time.

What air fryer do you recommend?

I have had two, and I really love this one from Cosori: Air Fryer. And you can see all of my air fryer recipes here: Air Fryer Recipes.

overhead of air fryer asparagus, cooked, on a platter with lemon slices

Other Great Ways to Make Asparagus

If you make this air fryer asparagus recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!

overhead photo of air fryer asparagus in the basket of an air fryer
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Air Fryer Asparagus

Serves: 4 servings
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 6 minutes
Total: 8 minutes
Air Fryer Asparagus is a fast, healthy, side dish recipe that comes together in just 20 minutes. This is the perfect vegetable to serve with just about any meat dish.

Ingredients

  • 15 ounces asparagus (one bunch)
  • cooking spray
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees.
  • Spray the basket of the air fryer with cooking spray. Add half of the asparagus and spray with cooking spray. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt over them. Repeat with the second half of the asparagus.
  • Cook the asparagus in the air fryer for 3 minutes. Toss and continue cooking for 3 more minutes. (Thin asparagus will take less time, thicker asparagus will take longer.)
  • Check to ensure that the asparagus is tender. If not, add an additional minute of cooking. Otherwise, enjoy!
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
overhead photo of air fryer asparagus in the basket of an air fryer

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Air Fryer Asparagus

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Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

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  1. Gary says

    Great recipes. We have gotten our air fryer just over a month and has been great. Learning how to use and enjoying using it. Enjoy your recipes keep them coming.

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so happy to hear that, Gary! I have a great air fryer chicken breast recipe coming that I know you will love!

  2. Sandra says

    Lisa, can I use the same amount of garlic powder as garlic salt?

    • Lisa Longley says

      Absolutely, but you might want to add a pinch of salt then.

  3. Jennifer D says

    Loved the air fryer chicken with the air fryer asparagus. I followed your instructions on doing both simultaneously and it worked perfectly! Thanks for a simple but tasty dinner idea! I added a salad and crusty bread and my significant other loved it. I’ll be making this often. Thanks!

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so glad you liked this, Jennifer!

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