Air Fryer Asparagus {Whole30, Paleo, Vegan, Keto}
Once you taste Air Fryer Asparagus, you’ll never make it any other way! Deliciously tender and perfectly crisp, air fried asparagus is a simple Whole30 side dish that is also vegan, keto-friendly, paleo, and gluten-free.
Listen, I love asparagus. A lot. But I officially declare air fryer asparagus as my favorite way to eat this amazing springtime veggie.
Line drawn. Bold declaration made.
You’ll love this asparagus alongside Paleo Salmon Cakes! It’s also a delicious dish to serve with Air Fryer Egg Rolls. Or use some to top this Instant Pot Asparagus Risotto!
One of my favorite meal prep, time, and money-saving kitchen hacks is to use frozen veggies weekly. I’m so obsessed with it that I even wrote this guide on roasting frozen vegetables. And yes, you can use frozen asparagus in the air fryer! Related: How to Cook Frozen Asparagus.
What Seasoning to Use For Asparagus
This recipe used a pinch of Maldon sea salt, but regular salt, kosher salt, and Montreal Steak Seasoning (despite its name, it is vegan) are all perfect and simple seasonings for asparagus.
Need something a little fancier and next level? Try the creamy lemon sauce from this Greek Turkey Meatballs recipe. Lemon and asparagus are a match made in food heaven. I also love the Asian flavors from these Spicy Green Beans on asparagus.
Air fry the asparagus as directed below and place on a plate. Drizzle the sauces over the asparagus and serve.
Do You Have to Peel Asparagus Before Cooking It?
Nope, but you can if you like the looks of it. The bottom of most asparagus stalks are quite woody and not appetizing. While you can take a vegetable peeler and peel off the outside, I prefer the “snap” method.
Grasp one stalk of asparagus and put one hand under the tip and one hand at the bottom. Snap it in one motion. Where it breaks indicates the most tender part of the stalk. You can cut the rest of the bunch at about the same level.
How to Make Air Fryer Asparagus
*A detailed and printable recipe card is available at the bottom of this post.
Remove the woody ends from the stalks.
Place asparagus in the basket of your air fryer.
Give them a gentle spritz with olive oil and put the basket into your air fryer. Cook until they have reached your desired level of crispy (see recipe card below for cooking times and temps). Sprinkle finished asparagus with a pinch of sea salt. Serve immediately.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Don’t be aggressive with spritzing the olive oil on the stalks. Over time I’ve discovered that too much olive oil = mushy asparagus.
- In my experience, cooking at a lower temperature means you’ll need to cook the asparagus for a longer period of time. And that dries out the asparagus and results in a subpar product. High heat + shorter cooking time = stinky pee perfection.
- No air fryer? Check out this post on three ways to cook asparagus for alternative methods.
- Fatter asparagus spears may need an additional 1-3 minutes of cooking time.
MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS
- How to Freeze Asparagus
- Instant Pot Asparagus
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Spicy Green Beans
- Air Fryer Green Tomatoes
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Air Fryer Egg Rolls
- Oven Roasted Butternut Squash {Whole30, Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-Free}
- Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
- Instant Pot Beets
WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS
One serving has 1 WW Freestyle SmartPoints.
Air Fryer Asparagus {Whole30, Paleo, Vegan, Keto}
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus wooden ends trimmed
- 1 tsp olive oil
- pinch kosher salt optional
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Remove the woody ends from the stalks.
- Add asparagus to the basket of your air fryer. Lightly spritz/spray with olive oil.
- Cook for 7 minutes, or until they have reached your desired level of crispy.
- Sprinkle finished asparagus with a pinch of sea salt. Serve immediately.
Notes
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Worked like magic! As yummy as roasted (maybe more) and way faster. Thanks!
It’s a favorite method for us because of how quick it is. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I’m a vegan and I really appreciate it when I see such delicious food that I can homemade with my air fryer. Thank you.
You’re so welcome!
The garden is about to start pumping out asparagus from the 75 year old asparagus bed. I can’t wait to try this out! Now I just an air dryer. Haha.
75 years old? I love that!!!
I’m also not sold on the air fryer-yet. I already store my instant pot & veggie spiralizer on my staircase. I can get away with it since we don’t use the upstairs bedroom. The kitchen aid mixer in the upstairs bedroom. The crockpot in the basement with the turkey roaster pan, deli style meat slicer I’ve used about three times ever and my wedding silverware… And the toaster, bread machine, hand mixer & food processor in my only coat closet turned pantry. Maybe it’s fine to get rid of the bread machine and replace it with an air fryer. I don’t even remember where the ice cream machine is.
I do the microwave precook and short oven or grill to get the roasty goodness taste.
Is the fryer really worth the real estate?
I think “worth the real estate” will be different for everyone. I do love and use mine a lot. But…I also include other cooking methods in all air fryer recipes so that people can have choices.
Do you reckon you could do padron peppers in the air fryer? Thinking of getting one. Might strengthen the case!
You know, I haven’t ever considered it. But now I am!
I’ll give it a try the next time I buy a bag of them.
I haven’t given in and purchased an air fryer yet. I don’t really have a place to put it but I’m tempted each time I read one of your recipes using one. You temptress, you! I love asparagus grilled or roasted with olive oil and lemon pepper seasoning. Yum!
Just call me an enabler!! 🙂
I think lemon pepper is a super under-used seasoning. YUM!