Air Fryer Asparagus – A Couple Cooks

Preheat the air fryer to between 375°F to 400°F for 5 minutes.
Cut off the tough bottom ends of the asparagus. Place the asparagus stalks on a baking sheet.
Drizzle them with olive oil, add the kosher salt, and toss until well coated.
Place the asparagus in the air fryer basket and roast for 5 to 7 minutes, shaking after 4 minutes, until tender and lightly browned on the tips.
Remove from the air fryer and sprinkle with nutritional yeast and tarragon. Serve immediately.

Notes

A few seasoning variation ideas:

- Parmesan and garlic: Add ¼ teaspoon garlic powder when tossing with oil and salt. Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese on the asparagus immediately after air frying.

- Lemon and pepper: Add ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper when tossing with oil and salt. After cooking, squeeze half a lemon over the asparagus and garnish with lemon zest if desired.

- Red pepper flakes: Add a pinch before or after air frying for a spicy kick.

- Everything bagel seasoning: Sprinkle this trendy spice blend over the asparagus after cooking.

- Sesame: Try a light drizzle of toasted sesame oil and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

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You won’t believe how easy and delicious it is to make air fryer asparagus! This is now my favorite way to cook this green vegetable. The nutritional yeast adds a subtle cheesy flavor and tarragon brings a delicate herbal note.

This might sound weird, but I’ve never been that into asparagus—until this recipe came along! I was one of those people who were a little put off by its bitter flavor. But let me tell you: air fryer asparagus is a whole different ball game. It comes out tender, juicy, and almost sweet, with browned and crispy tips. Every time we make this, I inhale the spears like French fries!

Alex created this recipe with two unique seasonings—nutritional yeast and tarragon—which make a surprisingly delicious flavor combination! They’re worth stocking in your pantry if you don’t already. The nutritional yeast adds a subtle cheesy flavor without dairy, while the tarragon brings a delicate herbal note. (We stock nutritional yeast regularly to shake over popcorn, which makes it absolutely next level.😊) You can substitute other seasonings as desired!

⭐ Air fryer recommendation: We’re late to the air fryer game, but we’re very happy with ours! We use this air fryer, which has a very large basket so you can cook larger quantities at once.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Simple and quick – Season your asparagus, place it in the air fryer, and you’re done in under 10 minutes!
Crispy goodness – You’ll end up with tender spears and addictively crispy tips every time.
Versatile – Perfect as a side for almost any main dish, works with countless seasoning variations.
Healthy – It’s low-oil, low-calorie, and packed with nutrients and fiber, making and easy and healthy side dish idea.

Tips for air fryer asparagus

After making air fryer asparagus countless times in our test kitchen, I’ve picked up some tricks that make a big difference in the final result:

Trim the woody ends: Cut off the tough ends of the asparagus before cooking. The bottom part is fibrous and chewy, so removing it helps ensure a tender bite. (Here’s how to cut asparagus.)
Choose the right asparagus: Thin to medium-thick spears work best for air frying, giving you that perfect balance of tender insides and crispy outsides. We find the thinner the spears, the sweater the flavor.
Don’t overcrowd the basket: Spread the asparagus in a single layer to allow the hot air to circulate properly. If you pack too many spears into the air fryer at once, they’ll steam rather than roast. Depending on the size of your basket, you may need to cook in batches.
Watch the timing: Different air fryer models can vary in cooking speed. Thin asparagus may be done after just 4 minutes, while thicker spears might need the full 7 minutes.

Seasoning variations

While nutritional yeast and tarragon make an incredible combination that Alex and I love, air fryer asparagus is incredibly versatile. Here are some other delicious ways to season it:

Parmesan and garlic: Add ¼ teaspoon garlic powder when tossing with oil and salt. Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese on the asparagus immediately after air frying.
Lemon and pepper: Add ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper when tossing with oil and salt. After air frying, squeeze half a lemon over the asparagus and garnish with lemon zest if desired.
Red pepper flakes: Add a pinch before or after air frying for a spicy kick.
Everything bagel seasoning: Sprinkle this trendy spice blend over the asparagus after cooking.
Sesame: Try a light drizzle of toasted sesame oil and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Storing leftovers

As with most vegetables, air fryer asparagus is at its absolute best when fresh from the air fryer. If you do have leftovers, here’s what to do with them:

Storage: Let the asparagus cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: For the best texture, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until warmed through. This helps restore some of the crispiness. Avoid microwaving because it tends to make the asparagus soggy.
Leftover ideas: Cold leftover asparagus makes a great addition to asparagus salad, a grain bowl, or can be chopped and added to frittatas, asparagus quiche, or pasta salad.

Dietary notes

This air fryer asparagus recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to preheat my air fryer for asparagus?

Preheating for about 5 minutes helps ensure even cooking and better browning of the asparagus.

How do I know when the asparagus is done?

The asparagus should be bright green, tender when pierced with a fork, and slightly browned and crispy at the tips. The exact time depends on the thickness of your spears.

Do I need to flip the asparagus while cooking?

Unlike conventional oven roasting, you don’t need to flip each spear individually. However, shaking the basket halfway through cooking (around the 4-minute mark) helps ensure even cooking.

Is nutritional yeast necessary? Where can I find it?

While not absolutely necessary, nutritional yeast is what gives this recipe its unique “cheesy” flavor without dairy. You can find it in most health food stores, well-stocked grocery stores (often in the natural foods section), or online. If you don’t have it, you can substitute Parmesan cheese or simply enjoy the asparagus with just salt and a squeeze of lemon.

What if I don’t have tarragon?

If you don’t have tarragon, simply omit it and still enjoy delicious air fryer asparagus. I asked Alex if you could use another dried herb, but he indicated the tarragon blends very well and he wouldn’t recommend even dill or oregano (though you’re welcome to experiment!).

So, consider this air fryer and asparagus skeptic (me) proved wrong! The air fryer makes the most delicious flavor that makes these green spears as addictive as French fries, an easy side dish for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. The combination of nutritional yeast and tarragon that Alex created brings such a unique and delicious flavor — let us know what you think in the comments below!