Quick & Easy Air Fryer Asparagus

Patty Catalano
Patty CatalanoFood Editor at The Kitchn
The only subject that has ever held my attention has been food, because there’s no end to what you can taste, smell, learn, and cook. I patchworked my way to recipe development and food writing by earning degrees in Family & Consumer Sciences (you may have known it as Home Ec) and Food, Nutrition, and Culinary Science, and working anywhere that would take me: university food services, local bakeries, and the set of Good Eats on Food Network. Early on, I asked my mom how she knew what a cookbook recipe (with no pictures) would look and taste like. While my mom was there to teach me, I realized that not everyone has someone to turn to for trusted cooking guidance. I try every day to be that person for The Kitchn’s readers by sharing smart recipes they can feel proud to serve. Recipe development is the most fun job I can imagine, but it also comes with a lot of dirty dishes and hours spent in the grocery store. I’ve found that I actually really love grocery shopping — especially at Costco and Aldi — and it brings me such joy to share my finds with The Kitchn readers.
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updated Apr 5, 2021
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asparagus on a blue plate on a table
Credit: Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani; Food Styling: Barrett Washburne; Prop Styling: Paola Andrea Ramirez

Air fryer asparagus comes out perfectly tender and crisp every time, with just the right amount of char at the tips. Plus, it's ready in less than 10 minutes.

Serves4

Prep5 minutes

Cook7 minutes to 9 minutes

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asparagus on a blue plate on a table
Credit: Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani; Food Styling: Barrett Washburne; Prop Styling: Paola Andrea Ramirez

If you’re looking for a side that hits the plate in record time, let me introduce you to air fryer asparagus. Yes, you heard me right: Air frying isn’t just for doughnuts and tots (although it’s unmistakably perfect for those fried finger foods). It also creates perfectly tender and crisp asparagus, with just the right amount of char at the tips — all in less than 10 minutes.

The Best Asparagus for Air Frying

A divine asparagus side dish starts at the store. Look for plump, straight, and green spears, and avoid any that are shriveled or mottled at the tips or woody at the base. Any fresh asparagus can be air fried, but this technique works best with medium to thick spears. Thinner spears cook very quickly, so monitor them for doneness about halfway through cooking. The asparagus are done when they are bright green, tender, and crispy at the tips.

Read more: A Foolproof Plan for Extraordinary Asparagus

Credit: Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani; Food Styling: Barrett Washburne; Prop Styling: Paola Andrea Ramirez

How To Serve Air Fryer Asparagus

There’s no easier side dish than crisp, tender air fryer asparagus seasoned simply with salt and pepper. But if you want to go one step further, slice the asparagus into bite-sized pieces and toss into pasta salad with prosciutto ribbons and a lemony vinaigrette. Or serve a springtime tart by layering air fryer asparagus onto buttery puff pastry with diced ham and Gruyère cheese. And if there happen to be any leftovers, bake the asparagus with cheese and eggs into a breakfast frittata.

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Quick & Easy Air Fryer Asparagus

Air fryer asparagus comes out perfectly tender and crisp every time, with just the right amount of char at the tips. Plus, it's ready in less than 10 minutes.

Prep time 5 minutes

Cook time 7 minutes to 9 minutes

Serves 4

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 1 pound

    medium to thick asparagus

  • 1 teaspoon

    olive oil

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    kosher salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat an air fryer to 400°F or 425°F (choose the higher temperature if available). Meanwhile, trim the woody ends from 1 pound asparagus. Transfer to a medium bowl, add 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and toss to coat.

  2. Add the asparagus to the air fryer and spread into a single layer. Air fry until the asparagus is tender and slightly crispy on the ends, stopping to shake the basket (or rotate the pans in larger air fryers) about halfway through, 8 to 10 minutes total. Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon black pepper evenly over the top.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

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vegan
low-carb
vegetarian