Easy Air-Fryer Asparagus
Cooking asparagus in an air fryer offers a speedy, hassle-free way to produce tender emerald spears with lightly crispy tips. Before frying, toss with a smidgen of olive oil (less is more, to avoid soggy stalks) and a light seasoning of salt and garlic powder. If you like, garnish with flaky salt, red pepper flakes, lemon zest and freshly grated Parmesan for a salty finish with bright citrus notes. To really save time, serve alongside air-fryer chicken thighs, chicken breasts, or steak, cooking the asparagus in the same basket while the meat rests on a plate, enhancing flavor and minimizing cleanup. A final note: When shopping for asparagus, always choose bright green, firm spears with straight tips and tight buds.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 2 persons
Ingredients
- 1bunch (about 1 pound) medium asparagus, woody ends trimmed
- 1teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher or flaky salt
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1to 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest (optional)
- 2tablespoons grated Parmesan (optional)
Instructions
Step 1
Heat air fryer to 400 degrees for 5 minutes.Step 2
Place the asparagus in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with garlic powder and season with salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using). Toss to coat.Step 3
Place asparagus in an even layer in the air fryer basket. (A slight overlap is fine. If you cannot fit the asparagus spears flat in your basket, cut them in half crosswise or into 2-inch pieces.) Fry for 5 to 7 minutes, tossing the spears halfway through with tongs or shaking the basket, until the stems are bright green, and the tips are lightly crisped.Step 4
Transfer to a serving platter and season with salt, lemon zest, Parmesan and another pinch of red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve immediately.