Craving a crunchy, cheesy veggie side that’s on the table in under 10 minutes? This Air Fryer Asparagus with Parmesan is crispy, golden, and totally addictive—without turning on the oven!
Think of this as your back-pocket veggie upgrade—fancy enough for date night, fast enough for weeknight dinners, and fabulous alongside almost anything. Roasted flavor, minimal mess, and just the right crunch thanks to the air fryer.
Try it with a cozy dinner of Chicken Stuffed with Spinach and Dates, a Mediterranean spread with Homemade Olive Tapenade, or something bright and fresh like a Mango Arugula Salad.
Need a sippable sidekick? Don’t skip the Cranberry Lime Mocktail or my favorite Brazilian Limeade Recipe.
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💖 Why This Recipe Works
- Super quick & easy with minimal cleanup.
- Crispy texture + cheesy Parmesan topping = veggie heaven.
- Healthy, low-carb, and totally kid-approved.
🛒 Star Ingredients
- Asparagus Spears – Crisp, grassy, and perfect for air frying—go for medium-thick stalks for best results.
- Avocado Oil – Helps the cheese stick and crisps everything up without burning.
- Parmesan Cheese – Adds nutty, salty goodness that turns irresistibly golden in the air fryer.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Wrapping Asparagus With Bacon: Try making air fryer asparagus with bacon for a savory treat. Wrap the asparagus spears with bacon and air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes until you get crispy bacon-wrapped asparagus.
- Try Air Fryer Asparagus With Mushrooms: For a delicious and easy side dish, try Air Fryer Asparagus with Mushrooms: simply toss asparagus spears and sliced mushrooms with a bit of olive oil and your favorite seasonings, then air fry at 400°F for about 8-10 minutes until tender and golden.
- Bacon-Wrapped – Wrap asparagus in bacon and air fry at 400°F for 10–12 mins.
- Asparagus with Mushrooms – Toss with sliced mushrooms and cook for 8–10 mins.
- Lemon Zing – Add lemon zest after air frying for a bright finish.
- Spicy Kick – A pinch of chili flakes before cooking adds heat!
- Vegan Version – Swap Parmesan for nutritional yeast.
Love air fryer veggie sides? You’ll also enjoy Crispy Okra Chips, Air Fryer Corn on the Cob, and Air Fryer Potato Wedges.
🔪 How To Make Air Fryer Asparagus with Parmesan
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- Step 1: Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Trim tough ends off the asparagus.
- Step 2: Place the trimmed asparagus spears in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Step 3: Brush the asparagus spears with avocado oil to coat them lightly. Sprinkle salt and black pepper over the oiled asparagus. Toss the spears to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed. Air fry the asparagus for 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time to promote even cooking.
- Step 4: The asparagus should become tender-crisp and slightly charred, remove the asparagus from the air fryer. Garnish with grated parmesan and serve immediately, while the roasted asparagus is still hot and fresh.
💡 Hint: Make sure your asparagus is super dry before air frying for the crispiest tips!
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Preheat The Air Fryer: Start by preheating your air fryer to ensure a consistent cooking temperature, which helps the asparagus crisp up better.
- Dry The Asparagus Thoroughly: Whether fresh or frozen, ensure the asparagus is dry to prevent steam from forming, which can make it soggy instead of crispy.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Place the asparagus in a single layer with some space between each spear. This allows the hot air to circulate freely, ensuring even cooking and crispiness.
💭 FAQs
It’s best served fresh, but you can prep everything ahead and cook just before serving.
Yes, you can cook canned asparagus in an air fryer; just drain it well, use gentle seasoning, and air fry briefly at a low temperature to warm it up without making it soggy.
Yes, to make an air fryer frozen asparagus, place the asparagus Yes, but thaw and pat dry before cooking to avoid sogginess.
Yes, asparagus is keto-friendly. It's low in carbohydrates and high in fiber, making it a great vegetable choice for the ketogenic diet. Asparagus also provides a Good Source Of Vitamins A, C, E, K, And Folate, along with various antioxidants, all beneficial in a nutrient-rich, low-carb diet.
💖 Serving Suggestions
Here’s what to serve with Air Fryer Asparagus with Parmesan:
- Pan-Fried Salmon in Creamy Sauce – Buttery and crisp.
- Thin Sliced Chicken Breast – Quick, lean protein.
- Cured Beet Salmon – Bright and gourmet.
- Sabana de Res – Juicy steak with bold flavor.
- Creamy Mashed Cauliflower – Smooth and low-carb.
- Easy Oven Baked Chicken – Sweet and savory.
- Chilean Seabass With Lime And Chili – Zesty and fresh.
🍽 More Delicious Veggie Sides
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Air Fryer Asparagus With Parmesan
Ingredients
- 1 lb Asparagus Spears
- 1 tablespoon Avocado Oil or any high-smoke-point oil
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to heat up for about 5 minutes.
- Prepare the Asparagus: Trim the tough ends off the asparagus spears, either by snapping or cutting them.
- Arrange in the Air Fryer: Place the trimmed asparagus spears in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Oil the Asparagus: Brush the asparagus spears with avocado oil to coat them lightly.
- Season: Sprinkle salt and black pepper over the oiled asparagus. Toss the spears to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Cook: Air fry the asparagus for 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time to promote even cooking. The asparagus should become tender-crisp and slightly charred.
- Serve: Remove the asparagus from the air fryer. Garnish with parmesan cheese and serve immediately, while they are still hot and fresh.
This recipe made me fall back in love with asparagus. It’s crispy, cheesy, and wildly easy—my kinda veggie magic. I make this on repeat, especially when I’m low on time and high on cravings!