This easy Air Fryer Asparagus is made with a touch of balsamic vinegar to create a “roasted” texture without the need to turn the oven on. As a kid-friendly option, we’ve also created gluten free asparagus fries. Make either recipe for a healthy side dish your whole family will love! Oven options included.
We welcome May with a celebration (Celiac Awareness Month) and a new theme. It’s back again, Kid-Friendly Recipe Month! For the entire month of May, we’re focusing on KID-FRIENDLY (mom-approved) gluten-free recipes. These are recipes you can make with minimal ingredients but are also allergy-friendly; desserts, meals, sides, and snacks! That being said, let’s talk about how to get those kids to eat more vegetables. Starting with these Air Fryer Asparagus and Asparagus Fries!
This recipe is the perfect segway from our month of fresh Spring Produce into a month of Kid-Friendly recipes. A quick side dish that can easily be made for adults and adapted for kids with just a few ingredient changes. We’re all about making recipes everyone can love, even if taste-testers have different tastes.
Why You’ll Love Cooking Asparagus in the Air Fryer!
Both asparagus as an ingredient and the air fryer as a tool, are perfect for the upcoming summer months. These can be made in just 10 minutes without the need to turn the oven on and make the house even warmer than it is outside. Plus, using the air fryer leaves the oven, stovetop, and grill free so you can make a delicious main course such as almond-crusted chicken tenders or veggie burgers!
I also like to make these asparagus fries all on their own for a healthy snack with homemade vegan ranch dressing! They’re gluten-free and could easily be made dairy-free by omitting the parmesan to fit all your dietary needs.
Now, let’s get cooking!
Ingredients That Help Create The Perfect “Roasted” Asparagus Flavor!
Lemon
Splash of Olive Oil or Olive Oil Cooking Spray
Balsamic Vinegar
Salt/Pepper
Seasoning of choice (like garlic powder).
Tips for Making Air Fryer Asparagus (Prep to Platting)
Before you toss your asparagus in the air fryer, make sure you trim the spears. If you fail to do this step, your asparagus will come out woody-tasting and be nearly impossible to chew. Luckily, it only takes a few seconds!
To trim the asparagus, line a handful of spears in a row on a chopping board. Then, use a sharp kitchen knife to cut all of the ends off at once. To start, begin cutting where the green portion of the plant becomes white. Repeat this step until all of the asparagus has been trimmed, and the recipe is ready for the next step! For an easy guide to trimming asparagus, take a look at this quick video!
Once that’s done, all you need to do is toss the asparagus with a little bit of oil or olive oil spray, and balsamic vinegar, salt/pepper, and garlic powder. Spread out the asparagus fries rather than stacking them on top of each other. This will help them cook evenly.
What Temperature to Use for Air Fryer Asparagus
For quick-cooking, you’ll want to preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit before adding in the asparagus. At this temperature, the asparagus will take 8-10 minutes to fully cook depending on its thickness. Then bam! You have “roasted” air fryer asparagus ready for eating.
To make meal prep easy, take a look at this chart for all your air fryer temperature needs.
No Air Fryer? No Problem!
There’s an oven-baked option for the asparagus fries in the recipe card! Or, sautee the asparagus in a skillet, as I do in this bacon and sauteed asparagus recipe. Swoon!
Baking Tip: If you’re using an oven to cook the asparagus, you’ll still want to preheat it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit before cooking.
A Healthy Asparagus Recipe for Picky Eaters – Asparagus Fries!
Now let’s talk about air frying gluten-free asparagus fries for those picky eaters!
How to Make Asparagus Fries in the Air Fryer or Oven!
- Prep the asparagus and set up the dredging stations.
- Start by dredging the asparagus in the whisked egg, followed by oat flour, then egg again, ending in the almond flour Parmesan mixture.
- Place gently in the air fryer and spray lightly with olive oil.
- Air fry and enjoy as the new favorite veggie French fry!
Common Questions & Tips for Using Your Air Fryer
Storage Tips for Asparagus
If you just brought home your fresh produce from the grocery store or farmer’s market but don’t plan to make these fries for another couple of days, store stalks in a cup of water. For more produce storage tips click here.
How Do You Know When Asparagus is Done Cooking?
This decision is ultimately up to you and how you like your veggies. However, there are a few signs to look for, particularly when making asparagus fries. For example, the asparagus should turn a slightly darker green. Also, if making asparagus fries, the coating will turn a beautiful golden-brown color and look slightly crispy. When fully cooked, air fryer asparagus should also be soft and flexible instead of hard and straight. Once these boxes are checked, you’ll know your asparagus or asparagus fries are ready to eat!
Best Results with an Air Fryer
Allow an inch of clearance on all sides of your food to the best of your ability. An air fryer uses hot circulation to cook the food quickly and evenly. Preventing or blocking air circulation will cause foods to not cook properly.
Air Fryer Countertop Location
Also, be sure that when the air fryer is in use that it is pulled away from the wall. Hot air does push and pull from the back of the units.
SAFETY TIP: If using parchment paper do not add it to the air fryer until the preheating cycle is over. Parchment paper loose in the air fryer will lift and burn on the heating element causing smoke and could possibly start a fire.
Air Fryer Asparagus + Asparagus Fries!
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Air Fryer Asparagus Two Ways; “Roasted” or almond crusted to create low carb asparagus french fries! Gluten free and quick to make.
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus spears, trimmed
- 1 teaspoon oil (avocado or pure olive oil)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice and/or balsamic vinegar
- Pinch of sea salt and black pepper
- Optional: ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pound asparagus spears, trimmed
- 1 large egg, whisked
- 4 Tablespoons fine blanched almond flour
- 3 Tablespoons grated Parmesan
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup oat flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour
- Coconut oil or Olive oil cooking spray
Instructions
- In a large bowl toss all the ingredients together for an even coating.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F. Place the asparagus into the air fryer basket that has been lined with a grate and bake using the “air fryer” setting for 5-7 minutes or until asparagus is crispy on the edges and looks “roasted.” *Note – cooking times vary based on size of asparagus and type of air fryer you use.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, Parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Prepare your dredging station with a medium bowl containing the whisked egg, a separate bowl containing the oat flour, and the final bowl with the almond flour/Parmesan mixture.
- Dredge trimmed asparagus in a bowl with the whisked egg followed by the oat flour.
- Lightly dredge the asparagus in the egg again, followed by the almond flour/parmesan mixture.
- Lightly spray the coated asparagus with cooking oil spray. Place in a single layer (about 8-10 spears) into the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 400F.
- Cook for 8 -10 minutes or until crispy and golden. Remove carefully with tongs and continue cooking in batches. For best results, flip halfway through cooking and leave space between each of the asparagus spears.
Notes
To bake asparagus fries in the oven: Preheat to 400F. Place coated asparagus on a lined baking sheet. Lightly spray with coconut oil or olive oil cooking spray. Bake for 8 minutes. Flip using a pair of tongs and cook for another 5-8 minutes until a golden-brown crust has formed.
Nutrition Information for Air Fryer Asparagus in card. Fries below.
Nutrition Information for Asparagus Fries:
Serves 3 Calories Per Serving: 156 Total Fat 5.7g Saturated Fat 1.6g Cholesterol 67.4mg Sodium 334.1mg Total Carbohydrate 12.2g Dietary Fiber 3.9g Sugars 3.3g Protein 9.3g
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: side dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 32
- Sugar: 3.1 g
- Sodium: 3.4 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 6.1 g
- Fiber: 3.2 g
- Protein: 3.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: asparagus, kid friendly, gluten free, vegetable side dish, air fryer recipe, roasted asparagus, asparagus fries, veggie french fries
That’s all folks! This air fryer asparagus is ready faster than it probably took you to read this post, which is what we all want when it comes to cooking, isn’t it? I hope you love it as much as I do. Be sure to stay tuned for more easy, kid-friendly, and healthy recipes as we transition to May.
Also, if you make this or any of my other recipes, I would love it if you let me know in the comments below!
Cheers,
LC
LOVE this! This is the only way I will make asparagus from now on!
★★★★★
yay! Hope the kiddos love it too!