Air Fryer Asparagus

How to Make Air Fryer Asparagus

1. Preheat air fryer to 375°.
2. In large bowl or zip top bag, combine mayo, olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, pepper, and salt.
3. Add asparagus; toss to coat.
4. Place in a single layer in air-fryer basket.
5. Cook until tender and lightly browned, 4-6 minutes depending on the size of the asparagus stalks. Thicker asparagus takes longer to cook.
6. Transfer to a serving platter; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and give a squeeze of lemon. If desired, serve with additional lemon wedges.

Air Fryer Asparagus Tips

How to Select Asparagus

For the best results, you want to start with good asparagus, and there are a few things you can look for when selecting this produce. Here’s what you need to know:

• Look for thinner stalks that are firm and straight. If they have wrinkles, they are probably dry and woody. Asparagus comes in different thickness, and for the air fryer recipe a thin to medium thickness is best. Thicker stalks are better grilled or oven roasted.
• They should have tight, compact tips. And check that they aren’t going slimy already.
• Avoid asparagus that is wilted or has yellow or brown spots.

How to Clean Asparagus

Of course, you want to clean your produce before using it. And asparagus is no exception to this. To clean asparagus, first rinse the asparagus stalks under cold running water to remove any obvious dirt. Then use a damp cloth or vegetable brush to give them a gently scrub. Pat dry with a paper towel. If you have thick, fibrous asparagus, you can peel the skin on the stalks to save it, and make it useable, giving you tender and smooth results.

How do you trim asparagus?

Trimming asparagus helps make it tender. You simple remove the tough, woody part of the stalk and then you get the best, most flavorful part of the asparagus in your recipe. The best way to do this is the “bend and snap” If you gently bend the asparagus, it will naturally snap where the woody tough part meets the tender part of the stalk. Simply discard the woody, tough ends. This is preferred over using a knife, as each stalk may have a different amount of tough versus tender.

Use Fresh Minced Garlic 

While I love things being easy, and keep minced garlic in a jar in my fridge, because this is such a simple recipe with fresh ingredients, fresh minced garlic is best for this recipe. Fresh garlic is bolder, more pungent, and offers a slightly better texture than the jarred alternative. However, in a pinch, either works fine!

Grate Parmesan Cheese Yourself

Pre-grated parmesan cheese may have a different, milder flavor than parmesan cheese in a block form. Block parmesan tends to offer a more robust, nutty flavor and a coarser texture when grated. This is best for this asparagus dish. However, again, if you are in a hurry, pre-grated parmesan is better than nothing. And both work well.

Variations, Reheating, Storage

What can you put on air-fryer asparagus?

This recipe uses parmesan and a nice seasoned mix, but you can use the same method of lightly oiling the asparagus and cooking at 375 degrees F for 4-6 minutes, while adjusting the toppings. Try adding bread crumbs for crunch, red pepper flakes for heat, additional lemon juice for more tartness, etc.

How do you store air-fryer asparagus?

Chances are you will gobble all of it up, but if you happen to have leftovers, you can store this asparagus in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Allow the asparagus to cool to room temp, then put in an airtight container, and transfer to the refrigerator.

Reheating Asparagus

Place asparagus in the air fryer again, and reheat at 375 degrees for 3-4 minutes. Or place in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees F.