Air Fryer Asparagus

Air fryer asparagus is a healthy gluten-free side dish that works for meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans! Made with just a few simple pantry ingredients and ready in 15 minutes.

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I know a lot of people are looking for vegetarian and vegan air fryer recipes. This one is great because it can be enjoyed by just about anyone. 

Air fried asparagus makes a delicious and healthy side dish for meat eaters as well as those who don’t eat meat, and it’s naturally gluten-free!
The asparagus gets tossed with a bit of oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Then it’s just a few minutes in the air fryer to get it perfectly roasted.

How crispy you go is up to you. I went a little extra crispy to help them appeal more to my kids, but they would also be great cooked to crisp tender.

I also squeezed a little lemon juice on at the end to brighten up the flavor. This is optional, but really takes it to the next level!

Air fryer asparagus ingredients

• Asparagus
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Garlic powder
• Salt & pepper

How to make air fryer asparagus

1. In a medium bowl, toss asparagus with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. Add asparagus and spread out in an even layer.
3. Let the asparagus cook 7-10 minutes or until it reaches your desired doneness.
4. Squeeze lemon juice over finished asparagus to taste.

Top tips and questions

How to trim asparagus

Trimming asparagus is quick and easy. Trimming removes the tough stem and leaves the best part of the vegetable for cooking.

Keep them bundled together, but pull one stalk out. Hold both ends of the stalk between your hands and bend it until it naturally snaps.

Discard the bottom and lay the top alongside the remaining bunch of asparagus. Use a large chef’s knife (affiliate link) to cut the remaining stalks to the same length.

Do I need to use oil in the air fryer?

It is not entirely necessary to use oil in the air fryer, but I do appreciate the taste and texture it provides. If you prefer to cook oil-free you can omit or reduce the oil.

What air fryer should I buy?

There are many great air fryers available for home cooks. I like my Ninja Foodi because it air fries, grills, and roasts. If you prefer a basket style air fryer I recommend a Corosi air fryer.

Check for doneness

Cooking time will depend on how thick your asparagus stalks are. I’ve seen some very large ones and super skinny as well.

If your asparagus is very skinny you may want to start checking it at 4-5 minutes. For larger stalks, feel free to allow it to cook until it has reached the desired doneness.

How to store air fried asparagus

Leftovers can be kept refrigerated in an air tight container for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer.

Tips for customizing air fryer asparagus

• Top finished asparagus with toasted breadcrumbs or parmesan cheese
• Meat eaters can top with crumbled cooked bacon
• Skip the garlic powder, salt, and pepper and use seasoning salt or your other favorite spices instead
• Drizzle finished asparagus with balsamic glaze

More side dish recipes

• Air Fryer Shoestring Fries
• Air Fryer Home Fries
• Loaded Air Fryer Waffle Fries
• Mashed Potatoes Without Milk
• Greek Orzo Salad
• Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes
• Vegetarian Cornbread Stuffing
• Simple Vegetarian Stuffing
• Oven Roasted Vegetables
• Oven Roasted Broccoli
• Oven Baked Potato Wedges
• Vegan Orzo Pasta Salad

If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

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