This lemon parmesan air fryer asparagus is cooked through to tender perfection in minutes! Low carb, gluten-free, and so simple to prepare.
While famous for cooking crispy foods, the air fryer is also great for 'roasting' up veggies. From air fryer carrots to air fryer green beans, they cook through quickly and always come out perfectly!
When you need a simple, but elegant side dish, asparagus is a great choice. Serve it up with parmesan mashed cauliflower and herb crusted salmon for a delicious dinner!
Reasons you'll ♡ this recipe
- the air fryer cooks it cooks quickly to tender perfection
- it's easy with just 5 ingredients
- the flavors are simple, yet classic
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Recipe video
Wondering exactly how to make air fryer asparagus? Watch this 1-minute video for step by step instructions! You can find more recipe videos on my YouTube channel.
Ingredient notes
- asparagus- because asparagus can vary so much in size, you may need to adjust the cook time accordingly. Extremely thin asparagus cooked through in as little as 2 minutes, whereas thicker asparagus took as long as 5 minutes
- oil- I like to use extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil in the air fryer, as they have a high enough smoke point to not burn
Step by step directions
1. Snap or trim the woody ends off the asparagus spears. This is typically the bottom 2 inches.
2. Toss the asparagus in olive oil. Optional but helpful- use your hands to massage it in.
3. Heat the air fryer to 400°F. Cook asparagus for 2-5 minutes, shaking and flipping halfway through.
4. Season with additional salt, squeeze lemon juice over top, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Recipe FAQ
Yes, wash the asparagus and pat it dry before tossing in the oil. This helps the asparagus get thoroughly coated in the oil.
Yes, make sure you pre-heat your air fryer for 5-10 minutes before adding the asparagus.
Yes, you can use either a basket or oven-style air fryer. This recipe was tested in both a basket-style Phillips air fryer (similar to this one
), and an Instant Pot vortex air fryer oven, and the cook times were very similar in each.
When your asparagus is ready to serve, it will be bright green and smooth. You do not want it to become dark green and wrinkly, as it can become chewy rather than tender crisp when over-cooked. See the image above for a good visual.
Storage and reheating
Air fryer asparagus is best served fresh, as leftovers get limp. With that being said, you can reheat in the air fryer:
- Cool completely, then store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 2 days*.
- To reheat, set your air fryer to 350°F. Heat for 3 or so minutes, turning asparagus as needed, until warmed through.
*they are safe to eat but get bitter as they store
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Variations
This is a very basic recipe as written, but you can certainly put your own flare on it!
- add ½ teaspoon onion or garlic powder for a little extra savory flavor
- add ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika for smoky flavor
- drizzle with balsamic reduction and sprinkle with feta cheese to serve
- toss in melted butter and sprinkle with flaky sea salt before serving
More easy air fryer recipes
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli
- Ultra Crispy Air Fryer Bacon
- Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs
- Seriously Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Lemon Parmesan Air Fryer Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 bunch asparagus see note 1
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ lemon to squeeze over
- ½ cup parmesan cheese to sprinkle
Instructions
- Snap or trim the woody ends off the asparagus spears. This is typically the bottom 2 inches.
- Toss the asparagus in olive oil. Optional but helpful- use your hands to massage it in.
- Heat the air fryer to 400°F. Cook asparagus for 2-5 minutes, shaking and flipping halfway through.
- Heat the air fryer to 400°F. Cook asparagus for 2-5 minutes, shaking and flipping halfway through.
Tips:
Video
Nutrition Information
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