Air Fryer Asparagus Fast Easy Wholesome Yum

Ever since I got my air fryer, it’s become my most-used appliance and I’ve been whipping up easy air fryer recipes multiple times a week, sometimes even daily. Anyone who’s been to my house has seen me with it. I love it for making foods crispy without much oil (hello, air fryer french fries!) or super juicy (air fryer pork chops are perfect every time). But the simply fast ones — like my air fryer asparagus — will be your game changer.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here I explain the best ingredients for my air fried asparagus, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.

Asparagus – Look for fresh asparagus spears that are plump and firm, with closed tips. Any thickness works (cook time will vary — see below!), but I prefer medium or thick because they are less prone to overcooking. If you have extras, use them to make my asparagus salad or some pickled asparagus. Oil – Helps the seasonings stick, adds flavor, and helps achieve the crispy tips. I usually use olive oil because the flavor pairs nicely with asparagus, but you can also use avocado oil. Lemon Juice – I prefer fresh lemon juice for the best flavor, or bottled for convenience. Spices – Garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Simple!

How To Cook Asparagus In The Air Fryer

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.

How Long To Cook Asparagus In The Air Fryer?

Air fryer asparagus takes 3-6 minutes for thin stalks, 5-8 minutes for medium, or 7-10 minutes for thick. I love that it takes less than half the time it would take in the oven!

Flavor Variations

Parmesan – This is my favorite simple addition to air fryer asparagus. Simply toss the spears in grated parm before roasting for a cheesy, crispy coating. You can also just sprinkle with shredded parmesan cheese right in the basket before cooking, which gives a more melty result. Italian – Add a teaspoon of Italian seasoning for extra flavor. Balsamic – When I want a sweeter flavor, I use balsamic vinegar instead of lemon juice. A drizzle of balsamic glaze at the end also tastes amazing. Bacon Wrapped – Prepare the stalks the same way as my regular bacon wrapped asparagus, then cook in the air fryer instead of the oven. The time is the same as air frying without the bacon.

Storage Instructions

Store: Asparagus tastes best fresh, but you can keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat: I like to chop it up and toss it in fried rice or my salmon salad, but if you want to reheat it, using the air fryer again for a minute or two is your best bet. Freeze: You could freeze air fried asparagus, but I don’t recommend it. It tends to get mushy, though it could be okay to use in soups or casseroles.

Serving Ideas

This veggie cooks super fast in the air fryer, so I recommend a fast main dish to go along with it! Try my other simple ideas that you can make quickly:

Chicken – Cook it your favorite way! The staple methods in my family are air fryer chicken breast, juicy baked chicken drumsticks, and crispy oven baked chicken wings. But lately we are loving my air fryer chicken leg quarters, which you can cook right after the asparagus. Steak – This is a great option for a meal that feels fancy, but steak is actually one of the fastest main courses to make! Check out my methods for sirloin steak, filet mignon, or ribeye that produce a juicy result every time. Fish – There are few pairings more classic than fish and asparagus! This vegetable pairs perfectly with my crispy air fryer salmon or air fried tilapia if you want to use the same appliance. When I want my main and side ready at the same time, I prepare my baked haddock or broiled salmon first, pop it in the oven, then cook the asparagus in the air fryer. Brunch – Asparagus is fabulous for brunch! Try it with my crustless spinach quiche or steak and eggs. Don’t forget the hollandaise sauce! Salads – In the spring when I inevitably grabbed too much asparagus, I toss extra air fried asparagus into my salads, like strawberry spinach salad or spring mix salad.