Cody Casey
Cooking asparagus in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare this vegetable. It is a healthy, gluten-free side dish that can be paired with any meal. Air-fried asparagus has a tender inside with a crisp, roasted texture on the outside. The air fryer cooks asparagus quickly and evenly, giving it a slightly crispy texture. You can find air fryer asparagus recipes in cookbooks, such as the one by award-winning chef Emeril Lagasse, which provides easy-to-follow instructions for preparing asparagus and other dishes using the air fryer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook Time | 5 minutes |
| Ingredients | 3-6 |
| Gluten | Gluten-free |
| Cooked Asparagus Storage | Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days |
| Reheating | Place in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or in the air fryer at 400°F for a couple of minutes |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 390-400°F |
| Air Fryer Type | Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360 |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right asparagus
Firstly, it is important to understand that asparagus comes in different shades and sizes, and each variety has its unique characteristics and uses. The three colours of asparagus are green, purple, and white. Green asparagus is the most common type and is available year-round in American supermarkets. It can be found in thin, medium, and fat varieties. White asparagus, prevalent in Europe, is grown by covering the plants in mulch to prevent chlorophyll development, resulting in its white colour. White asparagus requires complete peeling before cooking and should be well cooked. Purple asparagus has a beautiful violet skin that turns dark green when cooked, with a flavour similar to green asparagus.
When selecting asparagus, look for bright, vibrant colouring and compact, tightly closed tips. The thickness of the asparagus you choose depends on your personal preference and the cooking method you plan to use. Thin asparagus is excellent for stir-fries and sautéing, while medium spears are versatile and suitable for almost any cooking method. If you want to serve whole spears, especially when roasting or grilling, opt for thicker asparagus.
Freshness is another critical factor when choosing asparagus. Select locally grown asparagus whenever possible, as the shorter storage time improves its quality. Regardless of where you purchase it, eat asparagus within a few days of buying it. To ensure maximum freshness, you can store asparagus in a heavy-bottomed jar or drinking glass with a couple of inches of water and a plastic bag over the top.
Finally, when preparing asparagus, be sure to clean it thoroughly to remove any grit, especially in the tips. You can snap off the woody ends or cut them with a knife, ensuring you avoid the woody parts. For thicker stalks, you may need to use a peeler to remove the tough skin before snapping or cutting.
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Trimming the spears
The traditional advice has been to snap off the bottom third of the asparagus spear as it was believed to be the natural breaking point. However, this may result in wasting perfectly good asparagus. Instead, unless the spears are very thick, you only need to trim off the bottom half an inch to one inch. The spears will naturally snap wherever pressure is applied, so be mindful of this when trimming.
It's also important to note that asparagus spears will continue to soften after they are removed from the air fryer due to carry-over cooking. Therefore, it's best to air fry only the amount of asparagus you need as it doesn't reheat very well.
When trimming the spears, use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to ensure a clean cut. You can trim the spears before or after seasoning them, but trimming after coating with oil and spices may result in some flavourful bits ending up on your cutting board instead of your plate!
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Seasoning the spears
A splash of fresh lemon juice will also brighten up the asparagus and bring a hint of acidity. You can also add some Parmesan cheese on top after cooking. If you want to keep things simple, just a drizzle of oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper will do the trick.
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Air fryer settings
To cook asparagus in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 390–400 °F. The exact temperature may depend on your air fryer model, so refer to its instructions for the best results.
Once preheated, place the asparagus in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer, ensuring they aren't stacked for even cooking. Set the timer according to the size of your asparagus and desired doneness, typically 3-5 minutes for thin to medium-thick spears.
For thicker asparagus, you may need to increase the cooking time by a minute or two. Check the asparagus halfway through, and use tongs to turn the spears for an even roast.
When the timer goes off, your asparagus should be crispy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. Serve immediately, as asparagus doesn't reheat well and is best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer.
If you're using an Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360, you can refer to the dedicated cookbook, "Emeril Lagasse Everyday Recipes," for more detailed instructions, cooking charts, and accessory how-to guides. This resource can help you make the most of your air fryer and ensure you're using the optimal settings for cooking asparagus.
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Serving suggestions
While asparagus is a great side dish to almost any meal, there are some main courses that are particularly well-suited to being served with air-fried asparagus.
Salmon is a classic pairing with asparagus, and you can even cook salmon in your air fryer as well. Chicken breast is another winner with asparagus, and you can find a super-easy marinade for chicken breast in the air fryer on RecipeTeacher.
If you want to make a full meal in your air fryer, you can also cook personal-sized cakes in the Emeril Lagasse Power AirFryer 360. For more ideas, you can refer to Emeril Lagasse's Everyday Recipes for the Power AirFryer 360, which includes a range of recipes for the appliance, including snacks, appetizers, pizzas, soups, casseroles, and desserts.
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Frequently asked questions
To cook asparagus in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F. Place the seasoned asparagus spears in a single layer in the air fryer basket and ensure they aren't stacked. Air fry for 3 minutes, then stir the asparagus with tongs. Fry for another 1-2 minutes, depending on the thickness of the stalks.
It takes about 5 minutes to cook asparagus in an air fryer.
Medium-thick asparagus spears are ideal as they are less likely to overcook and become soggy.
You will need asparagus, extra virgin olive oil or another oil, and garlic salt or another seasoning of your choice.
Store leftover asparagus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, use a microwave or the air fryer at 400°F for a couple of minutes.
