I officially have a love affair with my air fryer. I am addicted. It's got permanent real estate on the countertop from now, and there's no turning back. Cue this air fryer parmesan asparagus. Tender, crispy asparagus air fried, then topped with freshly grated parmesan and a touch of lemon zest. Can you even?
From air fryer broccoli to making cheeseburger egg rolls, it's been a trusty side kick to make , and now we've got another fun and flavorful recipe to throw in the air fryer mix. Air fryer recipes do NOT need to be complicated, trust me on this.
TL; DR Summary - Air Fryer Asparagus Parmesan
- 👩🏼🍳 Cook Level: Easy/Beginner
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 10 minuteds
- 🗝️ Key Ingredients: Asparagus, salt, pepper, olive oil, parmesan, lemon zest
- 📖 Dietary Info: Dairy
- 😋 Taste: Crispy, salty, savory, acidic, nutty
- 💖 Why You'll Love: Asparagus cooked in the air fryer topped with parmesan is an easy side to throw together in just minutes, can be meal prepped ahead of time, and can be used up as a leftover the next day.
- 🍽️ Best Paired With: Throw together a delicious dinner spread of garlic herb red bliss mashed potatoes, oven baked bone-in chicken thighs or panko breaded honey mustard chicken, and a side of herby garlic bread.
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- TL; DR Summary - Air Fryer Asparagus Parmesan
- Air Fryer Asparagus Tips and Reminders
- Key Ingredients
- Air Fryer Asparagus Swaps and Substitutions
- How to make fresh asparagus in the air fryer
- Mistakes I've Made (so YOU don't have to!)
- Air Fryer Asparagus FAQs
- Check out other incredible vegetable recipes:
- Air Fryer Parmesan Asparagus
Air Fryer Asparagus Tips and Reminders
- Not every air fryer is the same, so be mindful to know your air fryer prior to making an air fryer recipe. Some units only have specific settings (such as the Ninja CRISPi 4-in-1 air fryer, which is what I have), and others go by temperature.
- Coat the asparagus just enough with the salt, pepper, and olive oil.
- Make sure to have an even layer of asparagus in the air fryer so that the vegetables cook evenly and get crispy.
Key Ingredients
- Asparagus - Fresh asparagus becomes tender with crisp edges in the air fryer.
- Olive Oil - A light coating of olive oil helps the asparagus cook and the seasonings stick.
- Salt and Pepper - Salt and pepper enhance the flavor of the asparagus without overpowering it.
- Parmesan Cheese - Parmesan adds a savory finish that brings out a nutty, slightly sharp flavor.
- Lemon Zest - Fresh lemon zest adds a bright, fresh flavor that balances the other flavors of the asparagus.
Be sure to check out the recipe card at the end of this post for more information about quantities, measurements, and specific cooking instructions.
Air Fryer Asparagus Swaps and Substitutions
- Use any seasonings you want other than salt and pepper, such as garlic powder, crushed red pepper, or add more heat with chili or chipotle powder.
- Feel free to add the parmesan cheese before air frying so the cheese gets golden and crispy along with the asparagus.
- Omit the lemon zest if that's not your thing.
How to make fresh asparagus in the air fryer
Step 1: Trim the stalks of the asparagus. Toss the asparagus in the olive oil with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Place the asparagus in the air fryer in one layer without overcrowding.
Heat up the air fryer (temperature at 375º) and cook for 10 minutes.
Top the asparagus with freshly grated parmesan cheese and a touch of lemon zest for acidic balance.
Mistakes I've Made (so YOU don't have to!)
- DO NOT OVER SALT THE ASPARAGUS! I did this in test round one, and it was inedible. The excessive salt plus the parmesan was way too much and did not taste good at all.
- Do NOT overcrowd the basin of the air fryer, otherwise the asparagus runs the risk of not crisping the way you want it to.
Air Fryer Asparagus FAQs
It depends on preference really. If the asparagus is too thin, it will cook faster, crisps quicker, and falls apart much easier. On the other hand, thicker stalks of asparagus will take longer too cook and will hold up better than thin.
You can use the air fryer to reheat or recrisp, and you can also throw the asparagus in the oven at 350º and bake for 5-7 minutes or until crispy again.
Add any leftover vegetables to an airtight container and place in the fridge for 3 days.
Check out other incredible vegetable recipes:
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Air Fryer Parmesan Asparagus
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 bunch asparagus
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Trim the stalks of the asparagus.
- Toss the asparagus in the olive oil with salt and pepper.
- Place the asparagus in the air fryer in one layer without overcrowding.
- Heat up the air fryer (temperature at 375º) and cook for 10 minutes.
- Top the asparagus with freshly grated parmesan cheese and a touch of lemon zest for acidic balance.
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