How to Air Fry Asparagus: Easy Air Fried Asparagus Recipe
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Oct 12, 2024 • 2 min read
Air frying asparagus is an easy way to turn leftovers into a crispy side dish. Drizzle the asparagus in oil and pepper, then let the air fryer do the work.
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What Is Air-Fried Asparagus?
Air-fried asparagus is asparagus that has been cooked in an air fryer for about 10 minutes. The end result is a crispy vegetable side dish that you can serve when hosting friends or family. Air frying asparagus requires minimal prep work—simply season your fresh asparagus or leftover asparagus before adding it to the air fryer.
Air Frying Asparagus vs. Roasting Asparagus
Air frying asparagus is easier than traditional roasting methods because it requires less prep work and cooks in a shorter period of time. The cooking time for air frying asparagus is about half the time it takes to traditionally roast asparagus.
Air fryer asparagus also requires less clean-up. Instead of scrubbing baking sheets, simply rinse your air fryer basket in the sink after you’re done frying your asparagus. You can also air fry other vegetables to save time and create a healthy side for dinner. Some additional veggies that air fry well include: Brussels sprouts, zucchini, broccoli, green beans, and cauliflower.
Benefits of Air Fried Asparagus
Air frying asparagus is a healthy alternative to traditional frying methods. Pan-frying and deep-frying use high amounts of oil, which can lead to high cholesterol. However, air frying uses less oil than traditional frying methods. Instead of fully submerging the food in oil, air frying only uses a fraction of the oil to make food equally crispy. As a result, the total fat content of air-fried asparagus is less than that of pan- or deep-fried asparagus.
Asparagus is also a great source of calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium, so pairing this vegetable with your main dish is a simple way to get those nutrients. Diets, such as the paleo, keto, vegan, vegetarian, and low carb diet, allow air fry vegetable recipes to be used as a cooking method.
Easy Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe
makes
prep time
5 mintotal time
15 mincook time
10 minIngredients
- 1
Trim asparagus by snapping off the woody ends with two hands. After removing the ends, rinse the asparagus spears under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.
- 2
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and allow it to heat up.
- 3
Place asparagus spears in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle the salt and pepper on top, and drizzle the optional lemon juice on top. Using your hands or two spoons, gently mix the asparagus, so all the pieces are fully covered in the seasoning.
- 4
In the air fryer basket, place the seasoned asparagus in a single layer. Evenly sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the asparagus.
- 5
Close the lid of the air fryer and cook asparagus for 10 minutes. If you’re using thin asparagus spears, then cook for 7 minutes. Serve immediately as either an appetizer or side dish.
- 6
You can store air-fried asparagus for three to five days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat the air fryer roasted asparagus to serve warm as a snack or side dish.
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