This air fryer asparagus recipe is a fresh, healthy vegetable side dish. In under 10 minutes, the spears become tender, juicy, and perfectly crisp.
This air fryer asparagus recipe is one of the quickest, easiest spring side dishes I know. It calls for 5 basic ingredients, and it’s ready in under 10 minutes. I love that even though it’s that simple (5 ingredients! 10 minutes!), it’s still a fantastic way to showcase one of the best vegetables of the season. Who says recipes have to be complicated in order to be delicious?
When it comes out of the air fryer, the asparagus is tender and juicy, with nicely browned, perfectly crispy tips. As with most roasted or air fried veggies, I can never resist sneaking a few spears straight out of the air fryer basket, the frizzled tops crackling between my teeth. The rest, I serve as a side dish. It pairs nicely with polenta, pasta, a frittata, or baked eggs… You really can’t go wrong!
How to Make Air Fryer Asparagus
This air fryer asparagus recipe is SO simple to make! Here’s how it goes:
First, trim the asparagus. Cut off and discard any tough, woody ends. While you work, preheat the air fryer to 370°F.
Next, season the asparagus. Place the asparagus spears in the air fryer basket…
…drizzle them with olive oil, and sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Toss to coat, and then spread them in a single layer. If the asparagus spears don’t fit in a single layer, work in batches. If you try to air fry too much at once, the asparagus won’t become crisp!
Finally, cook. Air fry the asparagus for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway. The asparagus is ready when it’s tender and browned around the edges and the tips are lightly crisp. The exact cook time will depend on your air fryer.
That’s it!
Air Fryer Asparagus Serving Suggestions
For a quick and easy side dish, I season the air fried asparagus with a big squeeze of lemon juice, and serve! Prepared simply like that, it pairs nicely with almost anything, from an herb-flecked pasta to crispy sesame tofu.
But if you want to dress up this air fryer roasted asparagus more, go for it! It would be delicious with drizzles of my creamy dill sauce, lemon vinaigrette, or sesame ginger dressing. You could also top it off with toasted almonds or pine nuts and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. It’d be lovely with fresh herbs, such as tarragon, basil, or parsley, too. Enjoy!
More Favorite Veggie Side Dishes
If you love this recipe, try one of these easy veggie side dishes next:
Air Fryer Asparagus
Serves 2 to 4
This air fryer asparagus recipe is an easy and delicious veggie side dish! The asparagus spears come out tender and juicy, with perfectly browned, crispy tips.
- 1 bunch asparagus, woody ends trimmed
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Lemon wedges, for squeezing
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Preheat the air fryer to 370°F.
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In a large bowl, toss the asparagus with olive oil, salt, and pepper and toss to coat.
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Place the asparagus spears in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd the basket. Work in batches if necessary. Air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway, until the spears are tender and the tops are crisp. The exact timing will depend on your air fryer.
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Transfer to a platter, squeeze with lemon, season to taste, and serve.