Air-Fryer Asparagus: A Quick, Easy, And Healthy Treat

Air fryer asparagus is a quick, easy, and healthy side dish. In under 10 minutes, the spears become tender, juicy, and crispy. The dish requires just a few basic ingredients and simple preparation, making it a convenient option for busy cooks. The asparagus is seasoned and cooked in the air fryer, resulting in a delicious vegetable side that pairs well with various main courses. This recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy the freshness of asparagus with a crispy texture and a bright, flavorful finish.

Trimming the asparagus

First, gather your asparagus and rinse the spears under cold water to remove any dirt or residue. You can also soak the asparagus in a bowl of cold water for a few minutes to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned. Then, pat the asparagus dry with a clean towel.

Next, you will want to cut off the woody ends of the asparagus spears. The thickness of the asparagus will determine how much you need to trim. For thinner asparagus, you may only need to cut off about an inch, while thicker asparagus may require trimming up to two inches. The goal is to remove the light green/white part of the stalk, leaving the darker green portion intact.

There are a few different methods for trimming the asparagus:

• Snap and slice method: Hold one asparagus spear in the middle and at the end, and bend it until it snaps. Use the snapped spear as a guide to line up the tips of the remaining spears, then slice off the ends of the other spears at the same point as the snapped spear. This method ensures that you are only removing the woody portion of the stalks and maximising the amount of edible asparagus.
• Cutting with a knife: With a sharp knife, cut off the woody parts of the asparagus at the bottom. You can determine how much to cut off by looking for the place where the colour of the stalk turns from light green/white to a darker green. Make your cut at the point where the colour changes.

Once you have trimmed the asparagus, you can proceed with your air fryer recipe. It is important to note that asparagus can be cooked at different temperatures and times depending on their thickness. Thin asparagus (like a pencil) should be cooked at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-4 minutes, medium asparagus (between a pencil and marker) for 5 minutes, and thick asparagus (like a marker) for 6-7 minutes.

Seasoning the asparagus

While the air fryer is preheating, it's time to season the asparagus. Place the trimmed asparagus spears in a baking dish or Ziplock bag, then season with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. You can also add other spices like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or dried thyme. Don't be afraid to experiment with different seasonings to find your favourite flavour combinations.

Toss the spears in the oil and seasonings until everything is well coated. You can even do this a day ahead of time if you're looking to do some meal prep.

Some people also recommend adding a squeeze of lemon juice or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese after cooking for an extra burst of flavour.

Tips for Seasoning Asparagus:

• Don't overcrowd the asparagus in the air fryer basket. Work in batches if necessary.
• Avoid overcooking the asparagus, as this will make it soggy and limp.
• Adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of your asparagus spears.
• For crispy asparagus, make sure the spears are in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

Air-frying the asparagus

Air-fried asparagus is a quick, easy, and healthy side dish. In under 10 minutes, the spears become tender, juicy, and crispy. Here is a step-by-step guide to air-frying asparagus:

Ingredients:

You will need the following ingredients:

• Asparagus
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Lemon (optional)
• Garlic salt or other seasonings of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, Italian seasoning)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Preparation:

• Wash and trim the asparagus: Remove the tough, woody ends of the asparagus stalks. You can cut or snap them off with your hands.
• Season the asparagus: Place the asparagus spears in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and any other seasonings you like. Toss to coat the spears evenly.
• Preheat the air fryer: While you are seasoning the asparagus, preheat your air fryer to 370-400°F.
• Place the asparagus in the air fryer basket: Ensure that the spears are in a single layer and not overcrowded. If necessary, work in batches.
• Air fry: Cook the asparagus for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your asparagus spears and your air fryer, so adjust accordingly. The asparagus is ready when it is tender and browned around the edges with crispy tips.
• Squeeze lemon juice (optional): For a bright finish, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the cooked asparagus.

Tips:

• Avoid overcooking: Asparagus is easy to overcook, so keep an eye on it and adjust the cooking time as needed.
• Don't trim too much: You only need to trim about 1/2 - 1" off the ends of the asparagus spears, unless they have very thick and woody ends.
• Allow for carry-over cooking: The asparagus will continue to soften after removing it from the air fryer, so slightly undercook it to ensure it stays crisp-tender.
• Eat right away: Air-fried asparagus is best served fresh, as it doesn't reheat very well.

Enjoy your delicious and healthy air-fried asparagus!

Avoiding overcrowding in the air fryer

Yes, you can put asparagus in an air fryer! Here are some tips for avoiding overcrowding in the air fryer:

Avoid the temptation to overcrowd

Air fryers are small, efficient convection ovens that cook food by circulating hot air around it. If you fill the air fryer basket to the brim, the air cannot move around the food. Without access to the hot air, food won't cook properly or become crispy. Therefore, it is important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for how much food to load into your air fryer. For the best results, don't stack food on top of each other. This pile of food impedes airflow and holds onto steam, which is the enemy of crispy food. It is better to make two batches of great food than one batch of soggy food.

Leave space around the air fryer

Small appliances sometimes get pushed deep into the counter underneath the fridge. However, air fryers depend on convection to get food crisp, and convection requires proper space and airflow. Set up your air fryer so that it has at least five inches of space on all sides. Be sure that your air fryer is on a stable, heat-proof surface while in use.

Cook in batches

The basket on most air fryers is tiny, with enough room to comfortably cook two servings of meat or fish, or four servings of vegetables. It may be tempting to stack or squish food closely together to prepare as much food as possible at once, but the results are likely to be frustrating. Instead, cook in batches for quicker, better results. Air fryer cooking is usually faster than roasting or frying, so don't try to cook everything at once!

Get a bigger air fryer

If you find yourself frequently overcrowding your air fryer, consider getting a bigger one. The first is a solo air fryer, which is the smallest and most affordable option, but it has a small capacity. A larger household will need to purchase a larger solo air fryer. A family of four should consider a four-quart air fryer. For a larger cooking area, an air-frying toaster oven is another option. These have broad cooking areas and can also broil, roast, bake, and toast. The trade-off is slower cooking times.

Storing and reheating air fryer asparagus

Storing Asparagus:

Firstly, it is important to note that cooked asparagus does not freeze well. It is best to store leftover asparagus in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be kept for up to four days, according to some sources, and up to a week, according to others.

Reheating Asparagus:

There are several ways to reheat asparagus, but it is worth noting that it will likely not be as crispy as when it was first cooked.

• Skillet: Warm a few teaspoons of oil in a large skillet and add the asparagus. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until heated through.
• Microwave: Warm the asparagus on high for 30-45 seconds or until heated through.
• Air Fryer: Reheat the asparagus in the air fryer at 400°F for 2-3 minutes or until warmed through.
• Chop or dice the asparagus and add it to other dishes such as quiches, soups, salads, or frittatas.

Some sources suggest that the best way to enjoy asparagus is to eat it straight after cooking, as it does not reheat particularly well. However, if you do have leftovers, the above methods can help you repurpose and enjoy your asparagus in a variety of ways.

Frequently asked questions