Can You Cook Asparagus In An Air Fryer?
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
We're sure you'll agree that asparagus is a sublime vegetable when cooked properly, and pretty awful when it's not. The first bunches of asparagus appearing in stores in the spring is exciting for fans of the perennial crop who often associate its appearance, like tulips, with the end of winter. You can top it with Hollandaise, marinate it, or even use it in soup. There are many ways to bring out the flavor of this versatile veggie.
What is the best and healthiest way of cooking asparagus? Roasting asparagus in the oven is a popular cooking method, but most recipes using this technique require unhealthy oil. You may have even considered investing in one of those fancy-pants asparagus cookers to get the vegetable perfectly cooked, but who needs a kitchen tool with only one use? We have a better way that uses a multi-purpose machine you might already have in your kitchen.
The rise of the air fryer
The best tool for cooking asparagus may be the one you swear by for making crispy fries – one that uses a fraction of the oil needed when you roast it in the oven. Ree Drummond from Food Network's show "The Pioneer Woman" says she loves cooking asparagus in the air fryer.
Air fryers have steadily increased in popularity since the first one came on the scene in 2010, with 25.6 million units sold between 2020-2022 (via The NPD Group). Home cooks love to experiment with air fryer techniques, and the Facebook group, Easy Air Fryer Recipes, has close to two million members hungry to learn new ways to use the small appliance.
Instructions for making asparagus using this method may vary based on your model air fryer, but the basic directions are the same. Masterclass recommends seasoning the stalks after you've cut them to fit the fryer. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees and cook for seven to 10 minutes, depending on the diameter of the stalks.
It's not just for asparagus
The best way to guarantee tender asparagus starts before you put them in the fryer. You can eliminate the toughness often associated with the vegetable by using this simple technique to trim the stalks. Gently bend the stalk until it snaps in two. It will naturally break where the tenderness starts, and you can compost the tough, woody bottom part or give it a second life in a soup (per Food Network). The tender stalk can now be cut to fit your air fryer.
If you enjoy your asparagus wrapped in bacon, according to one, of many, TikTok videos, you can do that in the air fryer, too. In fact, TikTokers offer a wide variety of "how-to" videos when it comes to air frying, well, almost anything. And it's perfect for making other vegetables, too. Brussels sprouts come out crispy in less than 10 minutes, and you don't know what you're missing if you've never had chickpeas roasted in an air fryer. You can't do all that in a fancy-pants, asparagus-only cooker.