how to cook asparagus in the air fryer

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The absolute best way to roast asparagus is in an air fryer because it's super quick and the asparagus is perfectly tender and crisp!

air fryer asparagus in oval plater topped with lemon slices

There are no fancy ingredients for this healthy asparagus recipe and absolutely no oil–not one drop. It's as simple as a few spices and about 7-minutes, and you've got a delicious wholesome side dish.

You'll love this air fryer asparagus because it's…
How to make asparagus in an air fryer
- Tasty asparagus seasoning
Can asparagus be cooked in an oven?
Dishes that pair well with air fryer asparagus

You'll love this air fryer asparagus because it's…

Perfectly cooked
Fast & easy
Completely oil-free & healthy
Absolutely delicious

We love asparagus, and cooking it in an air fryer is the very best way that I've found to get the texture and taste perfect. I've never liked it cooked to a mush, and making it in my air fryer allows it to get done but retain that crispy crunch.

How to make asparagus in an air fryer

Begin by rinsing and then trimming about 1/2″ off the bottom of the asparagus because that's the tough part that is chewy and needs to be removed before cooking.

raw asparagus on cutting board with bottoms chopped off and knife

Next, it's time to season it, and there are so many options here. Personally, I like to place my asparagus in a bowl or flat-bottom dish and dunk it in aquafaba which is simply the bean juice from cooked chickpeas, but this isn't required.

glass rectangular dish with asparagus and spices

I like to do it because the bean juice has a little thicker consistency than water and seems to help the dry spices to stick better. However, your asparagus will already be still wet from rinsing it, so this step can be skipped if you don't have aquafaba already on hand.

Tasty asparagus seasoning

You really can use any seasonings preferred for the asparagus, and there are so many to choose from. I usually combine 2 or 3 at a time, and the top four listed are my personal favorites.

Garlic powder
Onion powder
Nutritional yeast flakes for a cheesy flavor
Coarse sea salt
Parsley flakes
Homemade vegan parmesan
Dry Italian seasoning
Balsamic vinegar
Soy sauce
Lemon

air fryer basket full of asparagus spears

Place the asparagus spears in the air fryer basket and sprinkle with your seasonings of choice. Toss them around a bit with your hands or a spoon to make sure they are coated well.

Set the cooking temperature to 400°F and the time to 7-minutes. If the spears are particularly thick, you may need to add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time. You don't want to overcook the spears because they will lose their crisp. I love mine cooked tender but still with a crunch.

decorative platter with cooked asparagus

Once the timer goes off, place on a plate or platter and drizzle a little lemon juice or balsamic vinegar over the top. Occasionally, I will use a balsamic vinegar glaze.

Can asparagus be cooked in an oven?

Though I prefer the air fryer cooking method, an oven can definitely be used instead. Simply set the oven for 425°F and allow the asparagus to cook for approximately 15-minutes. Thicker spears will require a little longer cooking time.

white plate with air fried asparagus with cherry tomatoes

Dishes that pair well with air fryer asparagus

Homestyle Vegan Meatloaf
Crispy Baked Tofu
Hearty Shepherds Pie
Best Vegan Mashed Potatoes

Instructions

Begin by rinsing and then trimming about 1/2″ off the bottom of the asparagus because that's the tough part that is chewy and needs to be removed before cooking it.
Next, it's time to season it, and there are so many options here. Personally, I like to place my asparagus in a bowl or flat-bottom dish and dunk it in aquafaba which is simply thebean juice from cooked chickpeas, butthis isn't required. I just like it because it's thicker than water and helps the spices stick better.
Place the asparagus spears in the air fryer basket andsprinkle with your seasonings of choice. I like to use garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and nutritional yeast. But, I've included a list of many others to consider above.
Toss the spears around a bit with your hands or a spoon to make sure they are coated well.
Set the cooking temperature to 400°F and the time to 7-minutes. If the spears are particularly thick, you may need to add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time. You don't want to overcook the spears because they will lose their crisp. I love mine cooked tender but still with a crunch.
Once the timer goes off, place on a plate or platter and drizzle a little lemon juice or balsamic vinegar over the top. Occasionally, I will use a balsamic vinegar glaze.

Oven Directions

Notes

Detailed instructions, in-process photos, and my personal helpful tips can be found in the article above.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 30 Total Fat: 0g Saturated Fat: 0g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 17mg Carbohydrates: 5g Fiber: 3g Sugar: 2g Protein: 3g

To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.