Air Fryer Asparagus

Whip up a healthy vegetable using less oil and fat than traditional frying! Air fryer asparagus is topped with melted parmesan cheese and bacon bits giving you a tasty crunch in every bite!

Asparagus In The Air Fryer

I have to admit that there are a handful of vegetables that we stick to at my house, without giving much thought to trying something new. Asparagus used to be one of these: we always grilled it or roasted it. 

With the addition of my air fryer, I have been able to add a whole new level of cooking vegetables (well, cooking EVERYTHING actually) that makes it feel like I am eating something completely new! 

Once I learned how to cook asparagus in the air fryer, I never looked back: it’s healthy, quick, and truly scrumptious. Serve it alongside this smoked chicken breast for a meal that’s full of flavor!

Ready to give new life to another boring vegetable? These perfect air fryer carrots are another easy way to mix things up.

Why you will love air fryer asparagus

• Tons of flavor! Salt, pepper, cheese, and bacon are simple ingredients that give asparagus in the air fryer sooo much flavor. 
• Ready to eat in less than 10 minutes. Each batch of air fryer asparagus with bacon is cooked for 6-8 minutes, with prep time taking 2 minutes or less.
• It’s easy to mix up your veggie routine. Air frying vegetables is a great way to add variety to your favorite sides while still getting the nutritional benefits. 

How to Cook Asparagus in the Air Fryer

Rinse and pat dry: Always rinse your fresh produce before preparing, but also completely dry your asparagus before adding to the air fryer. If there is too much added moisture, your air fried asparagus will not get as crispy as it should!

Preheat, cut, and season: Preheat your air fryer to 400F. Remove the bottom third of each asparagus stem — this section is woody and tough, even when cooked. Toss the oil, salt, and pepper mixture with the remaining spears or brush the mixture on the raw veggies. Sprinkle with grated parmesan when everything is well coated.

Cook in batches: Avoid overlapping your asparagus as this will impact crispiness and create texture inconsistencies. Working in batches where one layer of asparagus is cooked at a time is how to cook asparagus in the air fryer and maximize a delicious crunch.

Check for doneness and serve: After 6 minutes of cooking, use a fork to check the texture of the spears. If the fork doesn’t slide in and out easily, cook for another 1-2 minutes. Serve immediately, adding more parmesan and bacon pieces for garnish.

Pro Tips for Asparagus In The Air Fryer

Choose thinner spears. Thicker asparagus is better for roasting, but thinner spears will give you a delicious combination of air fried crunch that surrounds a juicy center.

Use freshly grated parmesan. Grated parmesan contains anti-caking additives that keep it from melting as well as freshly grated parmesan. Take the extra minute to grate a fresh wedge for this air fryer asparagus recipe — you won’t regret it!

Use pre-cooked bacon or bacon pieces. Make your prep and cleanup a little easier (and faster!) with pre-cooked bacon or bacon pieces. You can warm them up in the microwave for 15-20 seconds before adding them to your fried asparagus.

Frequently asked Questions about Fried Asparagus

How Do You Keep Asparagus Crisp?

Store your asparagus standing up in the refrigerator with the stems submerged in an inch of water. This will keep it from getting limp before you are ready to eat it. When you’re ready to cook it, be sure to rinse and completely dry your asparagus before you cover it with the oil, cheese, and seasonings. The dryer your veggie, the crispier it will get in the air fryer.

Is Cooked Asparagus Good The Next Day?

Once cooked, wrap leftover air fryer asparagus tightly in foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheating it to restore its freshly cooked texture is just as easy as cooking it the first time around. Simply add asparagus back to your preheated air fryer and cook until warmed through — roughly 4-5 minutes. 

What Spices Go Well With Asparagus?

A variety of herbs and spices can be delicious additions to this air fryer asparagus recipe! Add a little heat with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or chili powder. Herbs such as dill, basil, thyme, or even a splash of lemon juice can give this dish a lovely hint of freshness that works perfectly with the parmesan and the bacon.