Asparagus is one of those vegetables I didn’t appreciate until I learned how to cook it right. Boiled? Too soggy. Roasted? Delicious, but time-consuming. Then I tried it in the air fryer—and my world changed.
This recipe is a game-changer for busy nights. The spears come out beautifully crisp on the tips and tender in the center, with just a touch of char that enhances their natural flavor. A simple seasoning mix of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper adds just the right amount of savoriness, while olive oil helps everything roast up perfectly.
I’ve served this alongside everything from chicken to steak to salmon—and it’s always a hit. It even works great as a healthy snack straight from the basket. You can drizzle on lemon juice or sprinkle with Parmesan for a little flair, but it’s honestly perfect as is.
It’s recipes like this that make me love my air fryer even more—minimal effort, maximum flavor, and hardly any cleanup.
This air fryer asparagus is crisp-tender with golden edges and a burst of garlic flavor. It’s the perfect low-calorie side dish that comes together in just 10 minutes.
Wash and trim the asparagus. Snap or cut off the woody ends.
In a large bowl, toss the asparagus with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Place the asparagus in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Air fry for 7–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the asparagus is tender and slightly crispy.
Serve hot—optionally garnished with lemon zest or grated Parmesan.
Servings 4
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.