Fried Asparagus Recipe: How to Make Crispy Fried Asparagus

To fry asparagus, you cook asparagus stalks in oil at a hot temperature, possibly after having coated them in batter beforehand. This results in an earthy, vegetal flavor with a crunchy exterior. The asparagus we cook and eat are the immature, green shoots of the asparagus plant, and there are a number of ways to fry them, including oven-frying on a sheet pan, deep-fat-frying in a liquid with a high fat content, or air-frying in a specially designed appliance called an air fryer.

Fried asparagus is a versatile dish, with several frying methods and flavoring options. You can cook it in large batches, so it’s a good choice for a side dish or appetizer at large gatherings, such as a potluck or bbq. Oven-frying, as opposed to deep-frying, will require less active cooking time. Here are a few ways to enjoy fried asparagus:

1. 1. Pan-fried parmesan asparagus: For a cheesy variation, toss the fresh asparagus spears in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2–3 tablespoons of parmesan cheese, and salt and black pepper to taste. After tossing, arrange the asparagus on a large baking sheet and cook in an oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for about 14 minutes, turning them once.
   
2. 2. Deep-fried asparagus: If you want extra crispy veggies, deep-fry your asparagus spears. Add a few inches of oil to a deep pan and use a safe heating method to bring the oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Fry the asparagus in batches until the spears are golden brown, typically about 3–4 minutes. Drain them on paper towels before you serve them.
3. 3. Spicy fried asparagus: To add a little heat and spice to your asparagus, add about a teaspoon of Cajun seasoning and a sprinkling of red pepper flakes to a breadcrumb coating mixture. Then dredge the asparagus in the coating and pan-fry or deep-fry the spears.
4. 4. Stir-fried asparagus: Forgo any type of breadcrumb coating and instead preheat a large cast-iron frying pan or wok on a stove over medium-high heat. Coat the pan with olive oil and add the asparagus, then season the spears with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. The veggies should be bright green and crisp-tender when done.

Making fried asparagus that’s pleasantly crispy and delicious is relatively simple with a few considerations:

1. 1. Buy asparagus in season. You can find asparagus year-round in grocery stores, but it’s freshest when it’s in season during spring and early summer.
2. 2. Choose crisp asparagus. Buy asparagus that looks crisp and plump. Avoid the veggie if it’s wilted or the tips look brown and soft.
3. 3. Trim the woody ends. The bottom end of the asparagus is tough and woody, so you want to avoid eating it. To trim the stalks before you cook them, line up the asparagus stalks on a cutting board and trim and discard the bottom inch of the stem.
4. 4. Dry the asparagus. After washing and prepping the asparagus, pat the veggies dry with a dishcloth or a paper towel to remove all exterior moisture. Fully drying the asparagus results in a crispier exterior.
5. 5. Preheat the oven or the oil. For a crunchy exterior and tender interior, add the cleaned and prepped asparagus spears to a hot oven or deep-fry oil that you’ve fully preheated. If you’re deep-frying, use a thermometer to ensure the oil is 375 degrees Fahrenheit before adding the asparagus.