This air fryer asparagus is tender stalks of asparagus coated in olive oil, garlic and an assortment of herbs and seasonings, then cooked to tender and browned perfection. A 10 minute side dish that’s the perfect accompaniment to almost any main course option.
My family loves asparagus in almost any preparation, whether it’s grilled, in stir fries, or roasted in the air fryer. I make this side dish at least once a week, it’s just that good!
I serve a green vegetable with dinner almost every night, and my kids always devour asparagus when it’s on the menu. This air fryer asparagus is loaded with flavor and can be on the table in a matter of minutes!
Air fryer asparagus ingredients
The ingredient list for this recipe is quite simple, and including raw asparagus, olive oil, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and parsley.
How do you make air fryer asparagus?
Coat your asparagus stalks in a mix of olive oil, garlic powder, dried herbs and seasonings. Place the asparagus in the air fryer, then cook until the asparagus is just tender. The cook time may vary a bit depending on the thickness of your asparagus. Add a sprinkling of parsley and you’ll be ready to eat!
Tips for the Perfect Air Fryer Asparagus
- I prefer to use medium to thick asparagus stalks for this recipe – the really thin ones easily overcook and can get mushy.
- Serve this asparagus as a side dish, or cut it into bite size pieces and add it to pasta, pizza, salads or sandwiches.
- This dish can be made a day in advance and reheated, but I prefer to serve it freshly cooked.
- This recipe calls for dried Italian seasoning which is available at most grocery stores and consists of a mix of dried herbs including basil, oregano, thyme and parsley. If you don’t have Italian seasoning on hand, it’s fine substitute your favorite dried herb.
Recipe FAQs
Asparagus is full of nutrients that are part of a healthy diet such as Vitamins A, C and K. This veggie also contains folate, iron, copper and calcium. Asparagus is high fiber and low in calories and carbohydrates.
The bottom of asparagus is tough and woody, and can be unpleasant to eat. You’ll want to trim the ends off your asparagus stalks before you proceed with this recipe. The best way to figure out where to trim your asparagus is to take a single stalk and bend it. Where the stalk snaps is where the tender part starts and the woody part ends. Line up all your asparagus stalks, then trim the bottom off each one in the same spot as where the first piece of asparagus snapped in half.
It takes about 6 minutes to air fry asparagus. This time assumes you are using medium to thick sized stalks. Thin stalks will take less time.
Air fryer asparagus flavor variations
There are so many different ways to flavor your asparagus! Sometimes I make this recipe as written, and other days I add other ingredients to mix things up a bit.
- Bacon: Stir in 1/3 cup of cooked and crumbled bacon right before serving.
- Cheese: Sprinkle with 2-3 tablespoons of grated parmesan or crumbled feta cheese right before serving.
- Nuts: Sprinkle 1/4 cup of toasted pine nuts or thinly sliced almonds over the asparagus when it comes out of the air fryer.
You cannot go wrong with this recipe – it’s healthy, tastes amazing and is ready in no time.
More great ways to enjoy asparagus
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Chicken Asparagus Pasta
- Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry with Asparagus
- Grilled Salmon and Asparagus Foil Packets
- Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Air Fryer Asparagus Video
Air Fryer Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus stalks trimmed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning or your favorite dried herb
- kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves chopped
- lemon wedges for serving optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Arrange the asparagus stalks in a single layer on a plate. Drizzle the olive oil mixture over the asparagus and toss to coat evenly.
- Place the asparagus in the air fryer. Set the temperature to 400 degrees F.
- Cook for 6 minutes until asparagus is tender and tips are lightly browned.
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve. Garnish with lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
- I prefer to use medium to thick asparagus stalks for this recipe – the really thin ones easily overcook and can get mushy.
- Air fryer asparagus can be made a day in advance and reheated, but I prefer to serve it freshly cooked.
So so good. I’m not sure veggies should be done in any cooking contraption other than the air fryer anymore, haha.
With asparagus in abundance, this is an excellent way to prepare it as a quick and healthy side dish!
Such a quick and satisfying recipe! It took me minutes and was super tasty!
I love being able to throw together fast, healthy side dishes with my air fryer! This is perfect!
Perfectly cooked and seasoned, great and easy recipe.
I used your feta suggestion and we loved them!
I was so pleased with how good these recipe came out!
A healthy and flavorful way to enjoying some healthy Greens. Thanks for the reminder.
Oh wow! This recipe is definitely going to be a big hit! Can’t wait to make this!
Yum! We love making healthy dishes in the air fryer, and this looks delicious!
This is so much easy way to make asparagus. Like the seasonings on it too!
What a terrific way to cook asparagus! Yum!
I love Asparagus, but surprisingly I have never eaten it this way! Sounds wonderful!
I love quick easy recipes like this air fryer asparagus! I’m making this tonight to serve with rotisserie chicken and a crisp garden salad.
I haven’t tried asparagus in my air fryer yet! Sounds awesome!
I love finding new ways to cook asparagus. It’s such a good vegetable and I can’t wait to try this,
OH My this sounds fantastic! Would love this alongside some salmon!