Air Fryer Roasted Asparagus

This Crispy Air Fryer Roasted Asparagus recipe is so easy, healthy, and delicious. This simple vegetable side dish goes great with any meal or can be served as a snack/appetizer. Low Carb/Keto, vegan, whole-30, and gluten-free.

Roasting asparagus brings out the best flavor and is one of the perfect side dishes to make when asparagus is in season.

Today, I am sharing a roasted asparagus recipe with simple seasonings in the air fryer; they cook very quickly, so it is very important to keep an eye and take them out in time.

I used my Instant Vortex Plus 6 Quart Air Fryer for this recipe. I love this because you can get the food in a single layer all at once, and dinner is ready in 30 minutes or less.

Benefits of Asparagus

• Asparagus is a low-calorie vegetable that is an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, especially folate and vitamins A, C, and K. (source)
• Asparagus is a good source of antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, flavonoids, and polyphenols. Antioxidants prevent the accumulation of harmful free radicals and may reduce your risk of chronic disease. (source)
• Asparagus is high in folate (vitamin B9), an important nutrient that helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects during pregnancy. (source)

Ingredients

You will only need a few easy-to-find ingredients to make this easy air fryer roasted asparagus recipe.

• Asparagus – You can find this vegetable in one-pound bunches in your local grocery store. I have used pencil-thin asparagus in this recipe. It cooks faster than medium or thicker stalks.
• Extra-virgin olive oil – is ideal for roasting and helps to crisp up the asparagus in the air fryer. You may also use avocado or grapeseed oil.
• Spices – added garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground pepper to make a basic perfect roasted asparagus. You may also use freshly minced garlic in this recipe instead of garlic powder.
• Lemon – add fresh lemon juice and/or zest at the end of roasting to give a zesty flavor of citrus to the dish.

How to Roast Asparagus in the Air Fryer

Wash the asparagus thoroughly, and dry them. Trim the woody ends of the asparagus (~1 inch from the bottom).

Place the asparagus onto a plate. Drizzle olive oil over the asparagus. Sprinkle garlic powder, salt, and ground black pepper over the top, then toss to coat the asparagus.

Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (190°C). Add the seasoned asparagus to the basket of the air fryer and spread them in a single layer (cook in batches if required).

Air fryer them at 380°F (190°C) for 6-10 minutes or just until they are tender-crisp. Shake the basket halfway through.

The amount of time it takes to roast the asparagus will depend on the thickness of the stalks.

• Small stalks: 6 minutes
• Medium stalks: 8 minutes
• Large stalks: 10 minutes

Perfect Roasted Asparagus is ready. Remove to a serving plate, squeeze some lime juice and serve it immediately.

How to Roast Asparagus in the Oven

Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the seasoned asparagus evenly in a single layer.

Bake at 425˚F for about 10-12 minutes, or till easily pierced through by a fork (may vary based on the thickness of your asparagus). You may have to turn them once halfway through.

Pencil-thin asparagus, as shown in the picture, will be done in as little as 10 minutes. Thicker asparagus will need between 15-17 minutes.

Serving Suggestion

Serve air-fried asparagus as an appetizer or snack. They can also be enjoyed as a side dish with Indian meals such as dal tadka and jeera rice.

Storing & Reheating

The texture of the roasted asparagus is best when it is served immediately. However, you can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 2-3 days. Not freezer-friendly. Reheat in a skillet on the stovetop or microwave until warm.

Pro-Tips & Notes

• Remove woody ends: It is highly recommended to trim off the woody ends because they’re difficult to chew.
• Work in batches. Make sure to spread the asparagus in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each other. Cook in batches if needed.
• Shake the basket halfway: It's important to shake the basket halfway through to allow them to be cooked evenly.
• Serve them immediately: These crispy roasted asparagus get soft as they sit and cool down.
• The exact cooking time will vary based on the air fryer being used.

Seasoning Variations

Basic Roasted asparagus tastes great with just olive oil, salt, and pepper. Here are some more ideas to flavor the asparagus.

• Lemon wedges and/or zest: Add a fresh squeeze of lemon juice right before serving.
• Balsamic Vinegar: You can toss 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar before roasting.
• Cheese: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on the spears either before or after roasting.
• Nuts: Toasted sliced almonds, pecans, or walnuts.
• Herbs: add a handful of fresh, finely chopped mint, parsley, or cilantro.
• Seasonings: You can sprinkle some Italian seasoning and red chili flakes.
• Butter: To make roasted asparagus rich, drizzle some butter after roasting.

More Asparagus Soup

• Cream of Asparagus Soup
• Asparagus Stir Fry

More Air Fryer Recipes

• Perfect Roasted Cauliflower
• Air Fryer Broccoli
• Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
• Air Fryer Tofu
• Air Fryer Green Beans
• Air Fryer Butternut Squash

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