To make asparagus in an air fryer, trim the woody ends from 1 lb of asparagus, toss the spears with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, minced garlic, salt and pepper, and air fry them in a single layer at 400°F for 7 to 9 minutes, shaking halfway. Sprinkle on finely grated Parmesan for the last 2 minutes so it melts without burning, then finish with lemon zest and a squeeze of lemon. Thin spears take 5 to 6 minutes and thick spears 9 to 10. It makes 4 servings at roughly 75 calories each.
Trim: Rinse the asparagus and pat it completely dry. Snap or cut off the tough woody ends, usually the bottom 1 to 2 inches.
Season: Toss the spears in a bowl or on a tray with the olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper until every spear is lightly coated.
Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
Air fry: Lay the asparagus in a single layer (split it between both baskets on a dual basket air fryer) and air fry at 400°F for 5 minutes, then shake the basket.
Add the Parmesan: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan evenly over the spears and air fry for 2 to 4 minutes more, until the tips are crisp, the stalks are bright green and tender when pierced with a fork, and the cheese has melted.
Finish and serve: Transfer to a plate, scatter over the lemon zest and red pepper flakes if using, and serve right away with a lemon wedge.
Dual basket tip: Asparagus cooks fast, so it is the perfect partner for a protein in the other basket. Start lemon garlic salmon or chicken breast in basket 1 and the asparagus in basket 2, then use Sync Finish (SyncCook on the Gecheer 10QT) so both finish at the same moment. Cooking two bunches for a holiday table? Split them across both baskets in a single layer and use Match Cook so every spear crisps evenly.
New pick: Gecheer 10QT Dual Air FryerTwo 5-quart baskets with SyncCook and viewing windows: asparagus in one basket, salmon or chicken in the other.
How Many Calories Are in Air Fryer Asparagus? (Estimated)
Per serving (1/4 of the recipe, about 4 oz asparagus): about 75 calories, 5 g fat (1.4 g saturated), 5 g carbohydrate, 2.4 g fiber, 2 g sugar, 4.5 g protein, about 4 mg cholesterol and about 225 mg sodium. These are estimates calculated from standard USDA values for raw asparagus, olive oil, grated Parmesan and salt. Restaurant asparagus sauteed in butter or topped with hollandaise can easily run 150 to 250 calories a serving.
Brunch: topped with a soft-boiled or poached egg and a crack of black pepper
What Are Some Flavor Variations?
Lemon pepper: skip the Parmesan and toss with extra lemon zest and 1/2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
Balsamic glaze: drizzle with 1 tsp balsamic glaze and toasted pine nuts after cooking
Prosciutto-wrapped: wrap bundles of 3 spears in a thin slice of prosciutto and air fry at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes
Everything bagel: swap the Parmesan for 1 tsp everything bagel seasoning for a dairy-free version
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you cook asparagus in the air fryer?
Air fry medium asparagus at 400°F for 7 to 9 minutes, shaking halfway. Thin pencil spears take 5 to 6 minutes and thick spears take 9 to 10 minutes. They are done when the tips are crisp and a fork slides easily into the thickest part of the stalk.
Should you put Parmesan on asparagus before air frying?
Add it for the last 2 to 4 minutes instead. Parmesan added at the start can scorch and blow around in the fan, while adding it near the end gives you melted, lightly golden cheese.
Is air fryer asparagus healthy?
Yes. Asparagus is low in calories and a good source of fiber, folate and vitamin K. This recipe uses only 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1/4 cup of Parmesan for a whole pound, so we estimate about 75 calories, 5 g carbohydrate and 4.5 g protein per serving. These are estimates.
Do you need to trim asparagus before air frying?
Yes. The bottom 1 to 2 inches of each spear are woody and stringy. Bend one spear until it snaps to find the natural break point, then cut the rest of the bunch to the same length.
Can you air fry frozen asparagus?
Yes. Toss frozen spears with the oil and seasoning without thawing and air fry at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking twice, then add the Parmesan for the last 2 minutes. Frozen asparagus releases more water, so it comes out softer than fresh.
Why is my air fryer asparagus soggy or stringy?
Soggy asparagus usually means the basket was overcrowded or the spears were wet, so they steamed instead of roasting; dry them well and cook in a single layer. Stringy asparagus means the woody ends were not trimmed enough.
