Air-Fried Asparagus: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Air frying is a quick and easy way to cook asparagus. It only takes around 7 to 10 minutes to cook asparagus in an air fryer, and you can season it with olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, garlic salt, or parmesan cheese.

How to prepare asparagus for air frying

First, preheat your air fryer to 390°F. While it's heating up, prepare the asparagus. Snap or trim off the woody ends of the asparagus by gently bending it a few inches from the stem end. The asparagus will naturally snap at the right place. Rinse the asparagus under cool water and lay it on a clean towel. Pat the asparagus dry.

Next, place the asparagus on a small cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle on your chosen seasoning. You could try garlic salt, salt and pepper, or thyme. You could also toss the asparagus in a mixture of grated Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Toss the asparagus with tongs until they are well-coated and seasoned.

Finally, place the asparagus in the basket of the air fryer in a single layer. Make sure they aren't stacked to ensure even cooking.

How to season asparagus for air frying

To season asparagus for air frying, first trim the woody ends of the asparagus and rinse the stalks under cool water. Then, pat the asparagus dry and place the stalks in a mixing bowl. Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, thyme, and/or garlic salt. Toss the asparagus with tongs until they are well-coated and seasoned. You can also combine grated Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs in a separate bowl and toss the oiled asparagus in this mixture until evenly coated.

How long to air fry asparagus for

The cooking time for asparagus in an air fryer depends on the size of the asparagus spears and the desired texture. Thin asparagus will take less time to cook than thick asparagus. For example, thin asparagus may take 5 minutes to cook, while thicker asparagus may take 9 to 10 minutes.

To cook asparagus in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to between 390°F and 400°F. Trim the asparagus spears and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. Drizzle with olive oil and season with garlic salt, or a blend of garlic powder, sea salt and black pepper. Toss the asparagus until they are well-coated and seasoned.

Air fry the asparagus until they are crisp-tender, stirring or shaking the basket halfway through. The asparagus is ready to serve immediately after cooking. Note that the asparagus will continue to soften slightly after cooking, so be careful not to overcook them.

How to reheat cooked asparagus

To reheat cooked asparagus in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 390°F. Place the asparagus in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they aren't stacked for even cooking. Reheat for 1-2 minutes, depending on the thickness of the stalks and whether the asparagus is thin or thick. Note that the stalks will continue to soften slightly after cooking, so be careful not to overcook them.

If you are reheating a large batch of asparagus, you may need to increase the reheating time slightly. However, it is important to monitor the asparagus closely to avoid overcooking.

Additionally, you can sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs on the asparagus before reheating for added flavour and texture.

How to store cooked asparagus

To cook asparagus in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F. Trim the woody ends of the asparagus, rinse, and pat dry. Place the asparagus in a single layer in your air fryer basket or tray, drizzle with olive oil, and season with garlic salt, sea salt, black pepper, or grated Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Toss to coat, then air fry for 3 minutes. Stir the asparagus using tongs, then continue to air fry until the asparagus is crisp-tender, 1-2 more minutes for thin asparagus, or 4-7 minutes for medium or thick asparagus. Serve immediately.

To store cooked asparagus, wrap it in foil or place it in an airtight container or tightly sealed food storage container in the fridge for up to two to three days. If you wait longer than 48 hours, consider using the asparagus in a soup. You can also freeze cooked asparagus by blanching (parboiling) it for two to five minutes, then shocking it in iced water to stop the cooking and preserve the green colour. Let the asparagus cool, then place it on a rimmed baking sheet in the freezer until frozen.

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