This Air Fryer Asparagus is seasoned to perfection with lemon, garlic then topped with crunchy pistachios for the ultimate vegetable side dish for spring. The easiest way to make roasted asparagus that come out crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and all-around irresistible! Vegan, low carb, keto, gluten free, Whole30 compliant and paleo-friendly.
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Updated March 2023
Ultra Tender and Crispy Air Fried Asparagus
Making a healthy side dish is easier than ever before with this 20-minute Air Fryer Asparagus. You can keep this roasted asparagus as simple or dress them up however you’d like – their versatility makes them a fail-proof side dish for all sorts of different main courses! From big holiday feasts to light weekend lunches, this tender-crisp asparagus makes an amazing addition to any meal.
Not only do they have the best taste and texture, but they also supply your body with plenty of vital nutrients. They’re a wonderful source of vitamins, magnesium, dietary fiber and more! Plus, this recipe ensures that they remain vegan, gluten-free, keto/low-carb, paleo-friendly and Whole30 compliant.
Why Cook Asparagus in the Air Fryer?
Roasting asparagus in the oven can take forever, and it’s hard to get them just right, especially if you’re trying to bake an entree and a side dish at the same time. Well, that doesn’t have to deter you any longer! We are happy to report that the Air Fryer is a complete and utter game-changer. The air fryer cooks them with hot air instead, which circulates around the asparagus to get them nice and crispy on all sides.
It makes your veggies crispy on the outside and tender on the inside while infusing them with more flavor than ever before. And it cooks them so much quicker than the oven does! Once you start roasting your veggies in the air fryer, we promise that you’ll never look back.
What You’ll Need
You only need a handful of ingredients to make perfect air fryer asparagus. Feel free to add or sub in any seasonings you’re in the mood for.
- Fresh Asparagus: Be sure to choose brightly colored asparagus with no blemishes.
- Avocado Oil: Or olive oil.
- Fine-Grain Sea Salt: Or kosher salt, added to taste.
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To taste.
- Garlic Powder: For depth of flavor.
- Lemon: Freshly squeezed lemon juice to add some brightness.
- Nutritional Yeast: Adds a nutty and cheesy flavor that is paleo and Whole30 compliant. You can sub with dairy-free or regular parmesan cheese if preferred.
- Chopped Fresh Parsley: Optional, to garnish the asparagus.
- Pistachios: Roughly chopped, optional for an extra crunchy topping.
Can I Use Frozen Asparagus Instead?
Fresh asparagus will give you the best flavor, but frozen ones can be used if that’s all you have on hand. Simply thaw them out in the fridge before working with them. You could also thaw them out in a bowl of cool water if preferred.
How to Trim Asparagus
To trim the asparagus, simply break off the hard woody ends off of each asparagus with your hands, a sharp knife or scissors.
After you cut the ends off of your asparagus, it’s important to give them a good wash and then dry them off thoroughly. This removes any potential dirt or pesticides from the surface of the beans.
To trim the asparagus, simply break off the hard woody ends off of each asparagus with your hands, a sharp knife or scissors. A quicker way to trim asparagus is:
- Line Them Up: Grab a handful of asparagus and line them up on a cutting board so that all of the ends on one side form a straight line.
- Cut Off the Ends: Press a sharp kitchen knife down toward the tips of the lined-up asparagus and cut off the ends all at once.
- Wash & Dry: Place the trimmed asparagus into a large bowl filled with cold water and let them sit for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse them off with cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
How to make Air Fryer Asparagus
This recipe is super simple! Your air fryer does all the hard work for you! As long as you remember to shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking process, you’ll be good to go.
- Preheat Air Fryer if Needed: If your air fryer requires preheating, preheat to 400F.
- Remove the ends: Meanwhile, snap off or trim off the woody ends of the asparagus and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Season Asparagus: Drizzle the asparagus with oil then season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, lemon juice and nutritional yeast / parmesan. Use tongs to gently toss until well coated.
- Roast: Working in batches as needed, add the asparagus to the air fryer basket and spread into a single layer, making sure there is no overlapping. Air fry for 7 to 9 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender and slightly crispy on the ends, stopping to shake the basket (or rotate the pans in larger air fryers) about halfway through.
- Garnish & Serve: Transfer the asparagus to a large plate or serving platter. Sprinkle with chopped pistachios and fresh parsley.
Tips for Success
There are a few more things you should know before you get to work on this roasted asparagus recipe:
- Dry the Asparagus Thoroughly: After your asparagus are soaked in cold water for at least 15 minutes and rinsed off with more cold water, dry them off as best you can. If they’re still damp when you put them in the Air Fryer, they won’t come out as crispy.
- To Preheat or Not To Preheat: Depending on the model of your Air Fryer, you may or may not have to preheat it before you toss in the veggies. The cook time will also vary based on the type of Air Fryer you have. Get familiar with it if you aren’t already.
- Don’t Cook All the Asparagus At Once: If you over-crowd your Air Fryer basket, the vegetables won’t cook evenly. They should be spread out in a single layer.
- Remember to Shake the Basket: It’s important to remove the Air Fryer basket and give it a little shake about halfway through the roasting process. This helps everything cook on all sides.
Variation Ideas
You can take these Air Fried asparagus in tons of different directions. Here are some easy ways to change them up:
- Add More Seasonings: We often add half a teaspoon of garlic powder and 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder to our asparagus for extra flavor. You could even throw in some crushed red pepper for a kick of heat!
- Make Them Extra Crispy: For an even crispier result, place your cooked green beans under the broiler for a minute or two. Keep a close eye on them so you can take them out before they burn.
- Make Balsamic Asparagus: Balsamic vinegar tastes amazing on top of crispy air fried asparagus. It gives them a satisfying tang that’s guaranteed to make a splash at the dinner table.
- Add Toasted Almonds: Want to incorporate some nuttiness and crunch? Toast up some chopped or slivered almonds and sprinkle them over your asparagus before you serve them.
- Make Cheesy Asparagus: Adding a sprinkle of nutritional yeast is a diet-friendly way to give your green beans a cheesy flavor. You can use grated Parmesan cheese if you’re not dairy-free or vegan.
- Add Bacon: If your diet permits, introduce some protein by sprinkling cooked and crumbled bacon over your finished asparagus.
- Make Them Festive: Serving asparagus on Thanksgiving or another holiday? Garnish them with pecans and dried cranberries for a festive finishing touch.
Serving Suggestions
These air fried asparagus make a great healthy snack by themselves, though we usually serve them as a side dish during lunch or dinner. We’ve listed some of our favorite entrees to pair them with below.
- Serve with Falafel: This classic Falafel can be cooked in the Air Fryer, over the stove or in the oven! No matter which route you take, it’s guaranteed to be a tangy, savory and spicy delight.
- Pair with Teriyaki Salmon: So long as you’re not vegan, this Teriyaki Salmon is an absolute must-try. Made with a sumptuous pineapple orange sauce, it tastes lovely alongside air fried green beans.
- Serve with Crispy Tofu: Our family is always in the mood for Air Fryer Tofu.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Veggies
If you have any leftover vegetables, allow them to cool completely and then transfer them to an airtight container. Store them in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them in a 350°F Air Fryer until they’re warmed through, about 4-5 minutes.
Can Asparagus Be Frozen?
Yes! Store air fryer asparagus in an airtight container and freeze for up to 6 months. You can also store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up 4 days.
To reheat, simply cook it it in the air fryer to crisp it up again.
More Healthy Air Fryer Side Dish Ideas
We have dozens of Air Fryer side dishes that are more than worthy of a recommendation, but we’ll stick to a few top favorites for now.
- Crispy Air Fryer French Fries
- Easy Air Fryer Green Beans
- Golden Air Fryer Diced Potatoes
- Air Fryer Broccoli
This Air Fryer Asparagus is seasoned to perfection with lemon, garlic then topped with crunchy pistachios for the ultimate vegetable side dish for spring. The easiest way to make roasted asparagus that come out crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and all-around irresistible! Vegan, low carb, keto, gluten free, Whole30 compliant and paleo-friendly.
- 1 bundle of medium to thick asparagus about 1 - 1 1/2 lbs, washed and dried
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- Fine grain sea salt or kosher salt to taste salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast , sub with 1/3 cup grated vegan or regular parmesan cheese if not dairy-free / vegan / Whole30
- 2 teaspoons toasted pistachios roughly chopped
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
- If your air fryer requires preheating, preheat to 400F.
- Meanwhile, snap off or trim off the woody ends of the asparagus and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Drizzle the asparagus with oil then season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, lemon juice and nutritional yeast / parmesan. Use tongs to gently toss until well coated.
Working in batches as needed, add the asparagus to the air fryer basket and spread into a single layer, making sure there is no overlapping.
Air fry for 7 to 9 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender and slightly crispy on the ends, stopping to shake the basket (or rotate the pans in larger air fryers) about halfway through.
- Transfer the asparagus to a large plate or serving platter. Sprinkle with chopped pistachios and fresh parsley.
Recipe Video
- To Store & Reheat: Transfer cooled asparagus to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350°F Air Fryer until warmed through.
- To Freeze: Transfer cooled asparagus to a freezer-safe container and store for up to 6 months. Reheat directly from frozen, slightly increasing the cook time and shaking the basket halfway through.
Did you try this recipe?
Nellie T -
Thanks for this recipe. It came out delicious!