Air Fryer Asparagus

Perfectly tender stalks of Air Fryer Asparagus make a quick and tasty weeknight side dish that is ready in just about 15 minutes to complete almost any meal. The tender crispy asparagus tastes amazing and you can change up the flavor by adding parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon juice, or spices!

We love our air fryer and use it multiple times a week. Often it's the best way for getting a healthy dinner on the table really fast and cleanup is really easy too. For a family of four, you can even make a complete meal with an easy side dish in an air fryer with a bit of planning by cooking the protein first followed by a quick cooking veggie like fresh asparagus spears. It takes even less time (about half!) than roasting asparagus in the oven.

We especially love to serve this easy air fryer asparagus recipe with air fryer salmon or air fryer meatloaf and some creamy mashed potatoes or mac and cheese on the side. You can get asparagus year-round at most stores, but it's especially delicious in Spring when the tender asparagus is at its peak.

Air fryer roasted asparagus is pretty simple and basic, but there are lots of easy ways to elevate the flavor. Keep reading for some of our favorite suggestions!

Recipe Ingredients

Here's a list of the simple ingredients you'll need to make this recipe. See the printable recipe card below for exact amounts and full instructions.

• Fresh asparagus: Look for asparagus with a good green color and firm, not wilted, stalks. Depending on the time of year, the stalks may be thick or thin and you might need to adjust your cooking time by a minute or two accordingly.
• Olive oil: A drizzle of good extra virgin olive oil not only adds flavor but it also helps the asparagus cook properly and crisp up a bit on the outside.
• Salt & pepper: Some coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper are enough to highlight the bright, fresh woodsy flavor of the asparagus itself without being overpowering.
• Parmesan cheese: When we have it on hand, a sprinkle of some freshly grated parmesan cheese adds a wonderfully nutty element that is the perfect compliment to the natural asparagus taste.
• Garlic: A couple of minced garlic cloves or ½ teaspoon of garlic powder are another great addition to roasted asparagus. It's optional, but you should give it a try!
• Fresh lemon juice: Not pictured, but we often will squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over our roasted asparagus just before serving if we are craving a citrus tang.

How to Make Air Fryer Asparagus

Be sure to see the recipe card for full ingredients and instructions.

• Trim asparagus. The woody stem ends of asparagus stalks are stringy and tough. To trim, first rinse the asparagus with cold water, then bend a piece of asparagus until it snaps off naturally. You could do this to the entire bunch of asparagus, but after one or two it's easy to tell where to trim. Simply arrange the asparagus in a row on a cutting board and chop them all at the right spot with a sharp knife, discarding the tough ends.
• Season. Drizzle the trimmed asparagus with a little bit of oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to evenly distribute the seasoning. If adding fresh minced garlic, do this at the same time. Transfer to the air fryer basket in a single layer.
• Cook. Air fry for 5-7 minutes at 400°F until tender crisp and slightly charred at the tips. Use the shorter time if you have thin asparagus and the longer time if the stalks are on the thicker side. Sprinkle on the parmesan cheese or squirt with some fresh lemon juice right at the end just before serving.

Top Tips

• Don't overcook. If your asparagus is turning out limp and rubbery, it's most likely because it's being cooked to death. You want to go just until the asparagus tips start to brown and the stalks are tender-crisp for the best texture and flavor.
• Shake partway through. I like to open the basket and toss the asparagus about halfway through the cooking time, especially if I'm pushing the limits and some of the asparagus is overlapping a bit.
• Preheat the air fryer. Much like an oven, you will get the best results from air frying if you preheat your air fryer for 3-5 minutes before cooking the asparagus.
• Air fryer size. We have a 6-quart air fryer, which is just about right for one bunch of asparagus, but a smaller model can also be used. You may just need to do a longer cook time or work in batches.

Recipe Variations

With a simple side like air fryer roasted asparagus, sometimes the key is about changing up the flavor profile slightly to keep it interesting and something everybody wants to pile on their plates.

• Drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
• Sprinkle with lemon zest or serve with lemon wedges for spritzing over the top of the asparagus.
• Use your favorite spices or seasoning bland. We love to sprinkle ranch seasoning over our roasted air fryer asparagus! Smoked paprika or a barbecue rub is another tasty twist.
• Serve the cooked asparagus on a plate and sprinkle with crumbled, cooked bacon.

Storage & Reheating

• Leftover asparagus can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for about 5 days. To reheat, just warm it up in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore some of the crispness.
• You can freeze leftover asparagus for up to 6 months. Reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer for about 5 minutes until hot.

More Air Fryer Recipes

• Juicy Air Fryer Hamburgers
• Air Fryer Salmon
• Air Fryer Meatloaf