Air Fryer Asparagus: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Air fryer asparagus is a quick, easy, and healthy side dish. In under 10 minutes, the spears become tender, juicy, and perfectly crisp. This recipe is simple, requiring only a few basic ingredients and very little prep time. The air fryer is a great way to cook asparagus, giving it a slightly crispy texture without the wait of roasting it in the oven. The key to getting it right is to not overcrowd the air fryer basket, ensuring the spears crisp up rather than steam. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice for a bright finish.

Trimming the asparagus

Firstly, it's important to remove the woody ends of the asparagus spears. These ends are tough and fibrous, and can be unpleasant to eat. Use a sharp knife or simply snap them off with your hands. The general rule is to trim about the bottom half-inch to one inch of the spears. However, the exact amount you trim can depend on the thickness of your asparagus. For very thick asparagus, you may need to trim up to two inches. Alternatively, you can use a vegetable peeler to remove the tough outer layer of the bottom inch or two of the spears, but this may not be sufficient for thicker asparagus.

Once you've trimmed the ends, you can place the asparagus in a bowl and proceed with seasoning and coating. Some recipes suggest coating the asparagus with oil and seasonings before placing them in the air fryer, while others suggest doing this after trimming. Either way, ensure the asparagus spears are evenly coated.

When placing the asparagus in the air fryer, it's important to note that they should not be overcrowded. Leave some space between the spears so they can crisp up properly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the asparagus in batches.

Seasoning the asparagus

Firstly, trim the asparagus spears, removing the tough, woody ends of the stalks. You can do this with a sharp knife or simply snap them off with your hands.

Next, place the asparagus in a bowl and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. The oil helps the asparagus to crisp up and adds flavour. A little goes a long way, so you only need a couple of teaspoons for a whole bunch of asparagus.

Now for the fun part: seasoning! A simple yet effective combination is salt and pepper. Don't skimp on these; the asparagus needs a good coating. You can use a coarse salt like kosher or sea salt for added texture.

For extra flavour, add some garlic. You can use garlic powder, which will give an even coating, or minced garlic for little bursts of flavour. If you're a real garlic lover, why not add some roasted garlic to the finished dish or use a garlic salt?

If you want to get creative, there are plenty of other seasoning options to try. You could add some heat with red pepper flakes or a squeeze of lemon juice for a bright, fresh finish. Italian seasoning, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, or Parmesan cheese are also delicious additions.

Once you've added your chosen seasonings to the asparagus, give the bowl a good toss to ensure everything is well coated. And that's it—your asparagus is ready for the air fryer!

Cooking the asparagus

The key to cooking asparagus in an air fryer is speed and simplicity. It's a quick and easy way to cook asparagus, and it's important not to overcook it.

First, trim the asparagus. The woody ends can be snapped off by hand or cut with a knife. You only need to remove the very bottom part of the stalks—around 1/2 to 1 inch. You can also use a vegetable peeler to remove the tough outer skin from the ends.

Next, toss the asparagus with a small amount of olive oil and your choice of seasonings. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or try garlic salt, garlic powder, or Italian seasoning. For a more complex flavour, add lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, or bread crumbs.

Place the asparagus in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don't overcrowd the basket, as this will cause the asparagus to steam and turn soggy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the asparagus in batches.

Set your air fryer to around 400°F and cook the asparagus for 3 to 7 minutes, depending on the thickness of the stalks. For thin asparagus, check after 4 minutes to avoid overcooking. For thicker stalks, 6 to 7 minutes should be about right. Halfway through the cooking time, use tongs to turn the spears for even cooking.

Once the asparagus is bright green and tender, it's ready to serve. You can sprinkle it with some more salt and pepper, or add a squeeze of lemon juice for a fresh, bright finish.

This simple side dish is versatile and can be paired with a variety of proteins and other vegetables. Enjoy your crispy, tender, and juicy air fryer asparagus!

Serving the asparagus

The best thing about asparagus cooked in an air fryer is that it's ready in just a few minutes. You can serve it as a side dish with your favourite protein for a simple weeknight dinner, or as part of a more special meal.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Asparagus

Asparagus is one of those sides that just works with so many meals. You can serve it with salmon or chicken breast, for example. Or, if you're a vegetarian, it goes well with polenta, pasta, a frittata, or baked eggs.

If you're serving it as part of a bigger meal, you could include it in the Midwestern dinner trifecta of meat + veg + starch. Here are some other recipes that would benefit from a side of air-fried asparagus:

• Baked Chicken Thighs
• Mozzarella Bruschetta Chicken
• Italian Rice Ball Skillet
• Air Fryer Salmon
• Garlic Butter Shrimp
• Broiled Salmon
• Air Fryer Salmon Bites
• Baked Cod
• Grilled Chicken Thighs
• Pecan Crusted Chicken
• Crockpot Pork Roast
• Chicken Alfredo Bake
• Garlic Pasta
• Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
• Air Fryer Broccoli
• Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
• Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
• Parmesan Risotto
• Chicken Cordon Bleu
• Honey Sriracha Tofu

Seasoning Variations

You can season the asparagus with salt and pepper, or try one of these seasoning variations for a fun twist:

• Add some crunch with toasted nuts like almonds or pine nuts.
• Make it cheesy with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
• Top with fresh herbs like tarragon, basil, or parsley.
• Spice it up with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
• Drizzle with a punchy sauce like creamy dill sauce, sesame ginger dressing, or a balsamic vinegar reduction.
• Season with additional spices before cooking, such as Italian seasoning and garlic powder.

Storing the asparagus

Short-Term Storage (1-2 days):

• Wrap the asparagus bunch with damp paper towels: Use a few sheets of damp paper towels to wrap around the asparagus spears. This helps to keep the asparagus moist.
• Place in a breathable plastic bag: Put the wrapped asparagus in a plastic bag, leaving it open for air circulation. You can also poke a small hole in the bag to ensure ventilation.
• Store in the refrigerator: Place the bagged asparagus in the vegetable or crisper drawer of your fridge. It is best to do this as soon as you get home from grocery shopping.

Long-Term Storage (up to 5 days):

• Trim the asparagus: Using a sharp knife, trim about an inch from the ends of the asparagus stalks. This step helps the asparagus absorb water and stay fresh.
• Use a jar or glass with water: Place about an inch of water in the bottom of a deep mason jar or a drinking glass. The water will help keep the asparagus hydrated and crisp.
• Stand the asparagus spears upright: Remove any rubber bands and place the trimmed asparagus spears upright in the jar, with the cut ends submerged in the water.
• Cover with a plastic bag: Loosely secure a clean plastic bag over the asparagus with a rubber band, ensuring adequate airflow for the spears.
• Refrigerate and change water if needed: Place the jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Check the water every few days and replace it if it becomes cloudy. Also, examine the asparagus spears to ensure they remain firm and fresh.

Additional Tips:

• Avoid the top shelf of the fridge: Older refrigerators may freeze water, so avoid placing the jar on the top shelf to prevent freezing the asparagus.
• Don't overcrowd the jar: If you have a large bunch of asparagus, use multiple jars or glasses to prevent overcrowding.
• Wash before cooking: Always wash asparagus before cooking, giving it a quick rinse or using a vegetable wash.
• Discard if spoiled: Asparagus can spoil quickly, so if it develops a sour smell or the ends become dark and mushy, discard it.

Frequently asked questions