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Home » Side Dishes » Air Fryer Asparagus

Published: June 22, 2022 Last Modified: June 22, 2022 By Sara 17 Comments

Air Fryer Asparagus

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This air fryer asparagus is tender stalks of asparagus coated in olive oil, garlic and an assortment of herbs and seasonings.
This air fryer asparagus is tender stalks of asparagus coated in olive oil, garlic and an assortment of herbs and seasonings.
This air fryer asparagus is tender stalks of asparagus coated in olive oil, garlic and an assortment of herbs and seasonings.

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!

A plate of air fryer asparagus garnished with lemon and parsley.

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

Ingredients including asparagus, olive oil and seasonings.

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!

Step by step shots showing how to air fry asparagus.

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.
Parsley being sprinkled over a plate of cooked asparagus.

Recipe FAQs

Is asparagus healthy?

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.

How do you trim asparagus?

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.

How long does it take to cook asparagus in the air fryer?

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.
Air fryer asparagus served with chicken and couscous.

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

A plate of air fryer asparagus garnished with lemon and parsley.
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5 from 18 votes

Air Fryer Asparagus

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.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 11 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 87kcal
Author Sara Welch

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

  1. I prefer to use medium to thick asparagus stalks for this recipe – the really thin ones easily overcook and can get mushy.
  2. Air fryer asparagus can be made a day in advance and reheated, but I prefer to serve it freshly cooked.

Nutrition

Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 240mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1025IU | Vitamin C: 9.2mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 2.7mg
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Filed Under: Air Fryer, Side Dishes

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    Comments

    1. Dana says

      July 6, 2022 at 5:16 pm

      5 stars
      So so good. I’m not sure veggies should be done in any cooking contraption other than the air fryer anymore, haha.

      Reply
    2. Alison says

      July 6, 2022 at 5:15 pm

      5 stars
      With asparagus in abundance, this is an excellent way to prepare it as a quick and healthy side dish!

      Reply
    3. Tavo says

      July 6, 2022 at 5:08 pm

      5 stars
      Such a quick and satisfying recipe! It took me minutes and was super tasty!

      Reply
    4. Beth says

      July 6, 2022 at 4:21 pm

      5 stars
      I love being able to throw together fast, healthy side dishes with my air fryer! This is perfect!

      Reply
    5. Irena says

      July 6, 2022 at 4:16 pm

      5 stars
      Perfectly cooked and seasoned, great and easy recipe.

      Reply
    6. Ally says

      May 30, 2022 at 3:55 pm

      5 stars
      I used your feta suggestion and we loved them!

      Reply
    7. Deb says

      January 17, 2022 at 8:42 pm

      5 stars
      I was so pleased with how good these recipe came out!

      Reply
    8. veenaazmanov says

      March 27, 2021 at 9:12 pm

      5 stars
      A healthy and flavorful way to enjoying some healthy Greens. Thanks for the reminder.

      Reply
    9. Beth says

      March 26, 2021 at 8:32 pm

      5 stars
      Oh wow! This recipe is definitely going to be a big hit! Can’t wait to make this!

      Reply
    10. Biana says

      March 26, 2021 at 6:36 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! We love making healthy dishes in the air fryer, and this looks delicious!

      Reply
    11. Julie says

      March 26, 2021 at 6:32 pm

      5 stars
      This is so much easy way to make asparagus. Like the seasonings on it too!

      Reply
    12. Patty says

      March 26, 2021 at 6:03 pm

      5 stars
      What a terrific way to cook asparagus! Yum!

      Reply
    13. Neli Howard says

      March 15, 2021 at 12:37 pm

      5 stars
      I love Asparagus, but surprisingly I have never eaten it this way! Sounds wonderful!

      Reply
    14. Denay DeGuzman says

      March 15, 2021 at 12:35 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    15. Lima Ekram says

      March 15, 2021 at 12:34 pm

      5 stars
      I haven’t tried asparagus in my air fryer yet! Sounds awesome!

      Reply
    16. Sisley White - Sew White says

      March 15, 2021 at 12:28 pm

      5 stars
      I love finding new ways to cook asparagus. It’s such a good vegetable and I can’t wait to try this,

      Reply
    17. Marie-Charlotte Chatelain says

      March 15, 2021 at 12:23 pm

      5 stars
      OH My this sounds fantastic! Would love this alongside some salmon!

      Reply

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