Air Fryer Asparagus | Oil-Free
The absolute best way to roast asparagus is in an air fryer because it’s super quick and the asparagus is perfectly tender and crisp. Let me show you how easy and delicious it is!
There are no fancy ingredients for this healthy asparagus recipe and absolutely no oil–not one drop. That may sound strange to some of you who are new here, but contrary to what you may have heard in the media, olive oil may not actually be good for heart health.
This healthy asparagus recipe is as simple as a few spices and about 7 minutes, and you’ve got a delicious wholesome side dish. We have lots of low-fat, vegan side dishes on this website you should check out!
Reasons you will love this recipe
- Ready in minutes- This air fryer asparagus is incredibly quick and easy to prepare, giving you perfectly crispy and tender results in only 7 minutes.
- Low-fat- Packed with nutrients and low in calories, it’s a healthy side dish that complements any meal without the guilt. No oil needed!
- Air fryer recipe- We love asparagus, and cooking it in an air fryer is the very best way that I’ve found to get the texture and taste perfect. I’ve never liked it cooked to a mush, and making it in my air fryer allows it to get done but retain that crispy crunch.
Ingredients you will need
- Asparagus- I have only used fresh asparagus for this recipe but frozen should work well too.
- Nutritional yeast- This is a deactivated yeast packed with vitamins, especially B12, and often used as a dairy-free cheese substitute in vegan dishes. It has a savory, nutty, and slightly cheesy flavor.
- Seasonings- My favorite simple seasonings are garlic powder, onion powder, and lime juice.
How to make asparagus in an air fryer
The recipe card at the bottom of the page has the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions.
STEP #1: Begin by rinsing and then trimming about 1/2″ off the bottom of the asparagus because that’s the tough part that is chewy and needs to be removed before cooking.
STEP #2: Next, it’s time to season it, and there are so many options here. Oftentimes, I just spritz it with lemon or lime juice and then add the dry seasonings. Garlic powder, onion powder, and nutritional yeast are the basic seasonings that I use. There are more seasoning suggestions listed below.
Sometimes, before sprinkling on the seasonings, I place the asparagus in a bowl or flat-bottom dish and dunk it in aquafaba which is simply the bean juice from cooked chickpeas, but this isn’t required.
I like to do it because the bean juice has a little thicker consistency than water and seems to help the dry spices to stick better. However, your asparagus will already be still wet from rinsing it, so this step can be skipped if you don’t have aquafaba already on hand.
STEP #3: Place the asparagus spears in the air fryer basket. Set the cooking temperature to 400°F and the time to 7 minutes. If the spears are particularly thick, you may need to add a couple of extra minutes. You don’t want to overcook the spears because they will lose their crispiness. I love mine cooked tender but still with a crunch.
STEP #4: Once the timer goes off, place it on a plate or platter and drizzle a little lemon juice or balsamic vinegar over the top. Occasionally, I will use a balsamic vinegar glaze.
Seasoning options
You really can use any seasonings preferred for the asparagus, and there are so many to choose from. I usually combine 2 or 3 at a time, and the top four listed are my personal favorites.
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Nutritional yeast flakes for a cheesy flavor
- Coarse sea salt
- Parsley flakes
- Homemade vegan parmesan
- Dry Italian seasoning
- Balsamic vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Lemon
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Though I prefer the air fryer cooking method, an oven can definitely be used instead. Simply set the oven to 425°F and allow the asparagus to cook for approximately 15 minutes. Thicker spears will require a little longer cooking time.
I personally don’t but some people do. If you want to give it a try, preheat for 3-5 minutes at the cooking temperature.
Yes, you can cook frozen asparagus in an air fryer. It may require a slightly longer cooking time, and it’s best to toss the frozen asparagus in a bit of oil and seasonings before air frying to ensure it cooks evenly.
Dishes That Pair Well with Asparagus
If you love your air fryer like I do, some of the recipes in this list of Best Vegan Air Fryer Recipes may get you excited as well.
If you try this recipe, please let us know how you like it by rating it and leaving a comment. We love to hear from you!
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Air Fryer Asparagus | Oil-Free
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh asparagus
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon nutritional yeast flakes
- Spritz of lemon or lime juice OR 1/2 cup aquafaba chickpea bean juice OPTIONAL
Instructions
- Begin by rinsing and then trimming about 1/2″ off the bottom of the asparagus because that’s the tough part that is chewy and needs to be removed before cooking it.
- Next, it's time to season it, and there are so many options here. Oftentimes, I just spritz it with lemon or lime juice and then add the dry seasonings. Garlic powder, onion powder, and nutritional yeast are the basic seasonings that I use. There are more seasoning suggestions listed above.
- Place the asparagus spears in the air fryer basket. Set the cooking temperature to 400°F and the time to 7 minutes. If the spears are particularly thick, you may need to add a couple of extra minutes. You don't want to overcook the spears because they will lose their crispiness. I love mine cooked tender but still with a crunch.
- Once the timer goes off, place it on a plate or platter and drizzle a little lemon juice or balsamic vinegar over the top. Occasionally, I will use a balsamic vinegar glaze.
Oven Directions
- Though I prefer the air fryer cooking method, an oven can definitely be used instead. Simply set the oven for 425°F and allow the asparagus to cook for approximately 15-minutes. Thicker spears will require a little longer cooking time.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
