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This easy roasted asparagus recipe can be made in the oven or in the air fryer. Both ways make tender-crisp asparagus! Flavored with garlic and Parmesan cheese, this simple side is a favorite in our house.
Roasted asparagus is one of our favorite side dishes. It comes together in minutes and cooks in the oven while the main dish comes together. The end result is tender, crisp asparagus that is equally suited to busy weeknight dinners and fancier Sunday suppers. Plus it goes with almost everything.
I’ve always made this asparagus recipe in the oven, but my husband recently got me an air fryer so I decided to experiment with that cooking method as well. Turns out, they both work! The cooked asparagus comes out pretty much the same, the only difference is the cooking time. (More on that below.) So now this is a choose-your-own-adventure recipe where you can use the oven or the air fryer!
Watch How to Make It
See how to make roasted asparagus in the oven in this step-by-step video. In it I’ll how you how to make the asparagus and also how to make a creamy broccoli pasta!
Why You’ll Love this Roasted Asparagus Recipe
- Simple. Whichever cooking method you choose, it is easy to roast the asparagus. Just trim the ends, add your flavorings, and cook.
- Flavorful. We love roasted asparagus with garlic, a touch of red pepper flakes, and shredded Parmesan cheese. A squeeze of lemon just before serving is also a favorite!
What You’ll Need
- Fresh asparagus
- Olive oil
- Garlic – Finely minced.
- Red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt & ground black pepper
- Parmesan cheese – Shredded or grated. You’ll sprinkle this on the asparagus before serving.
- Lemon wedges – Squeeze fresh lemon juice on top of the asparagus just before serving.
Buying Asparagus
The best time to buy asparagus is in early Spring when the stalks are available seasonally, though in the US you can find asparagus year-round in many cases. Since recipes like this one focus on the veggies, it’s important to choose the best asparagus. Here’s what to look for:
- Perfect buds. The tips of the asparagus should be firm and not wilted. Smell the buds and make sure they have a pleasant, fresh aroma. Asparagus comes in a variety of colors so whatever the primary color of the stalks is, make sure the tips are vibrant.
- Same size. Select a bunch where the stalks are all roughly the same size. This will ensure that they all cook in the same amount of time.
- In season. The best time to buy asparagus in season depends on where you live. In the southern US, February is the ideal time. If you live up north as I do, then the best time to buy asparagus is in late March or early April.
How to Store Asparagus
Wait there is a right and a wrong way to store asparagus? Yes indeed! Here is the best way to store asparagus if you can’t eat it the same day you purchased it:
- Treat it like a bouquet of flowers. When you get home, trim a small portion of the bottom, thick part of the stem just like you would if you were bringing home a bouquet of flowers. Then place the stalks in a large mason jar with about 2 inches of water. Change the water every day. Place the jar in your fridge and loosely cover the asparagus by placing an open Ziploc bag on top.
- Paper towel method. If you don’t have room in your fridge for a bouquet of asparagus, you can also wrap the trimmed ends in a damp paper towel and place the stalks in your crisper drawer loosely covered with a Ziploc bag. Change the paper towel every day.
How long will it last? Whichever method you choose, when stored correctly in the fridge fresh asparagus will last up to 2 days.
How to Roast Asparagus in the Oven
Are you ready to cook up some delicious asparagus? Here’s how to do it in the oven:
- Prep your tools. Preheat your oven to 425F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prep the asparagus. Trim the woody ends off the asparagus. Discard the ends. Add the asparagus to a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil, stirring gently to coat. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and pepper. Give the asparagus another stir.
- Roast. Arrange the asparagus in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet. Bake until the bottom of the asparagus is tender. This will take about 12 minutes for thin stalks and about 18 minutes for larger, thicker ones. Start checking for doneness at the 11-minute mark.
How to Make Air Fryer Asparagus
If you would prefer to cook your asparagus in the air fryer, here’s how to do that:
- Prep your tools. Preheat your air fryer to 400F.
- Prep the asparagus. Trim the woody ends off the asparagus. Discard the ends. Add the asparagus to a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil, stirring gently to coat. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and pepper. Give the asparagus another stir.
- Cook. Arrange the asparagus in your air fryer basket and cook until the asparagus is tender, about 7-8 minutes. Check at the 7-minute mark.
Serve. Whichever cooking method you choose, serve the asparagus with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
How Long Does it Take for Asparagus to Cook?
- Oven: When you make this roasted asparagus recipe in the oven, the total cooking time is about 12-20 minutes (depending on how thick your asparagus is), plus the amount of time it takes your oven to reach temperature. Very thin or small asparagus spears will be done in about 12 minutes. Larger and thicker spears will be done in about 18-20 minutes.
- Air Fryer: Using the air fryer method for roasting asparagus, the total cooking time is 7-8 minutes, depending on how thick the stalks are.
Tips for Success
- Store properly. This may seem like a fussy detail, but it’s important to store your asparagus correctly. This way it will be as fresh as possible when you’re ready to cook it.
- Make sure you trim the ends. The bottom of asparagus stalks can be quite woody and tough, so make sure you trim the ends before roasting your asparagus.
Serving Suggestions
Roasted asparagus goes with many different meals. Lately, we’ve been loving it with creamy broccoli casarecce pasta. Other delicious main dishes to serve with air fryer asparagus (or oven roasted) include:
- Million Dollar Chicken
- White Chicken Béchamel Lasagna
- Tuscan Chicken Pasta
- Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno
- Baked Zucchini Parmesan
- Maple Soy Baked Chicken Thighs
There are many others! Check out my dinner ideas for even more recipes to try.
How to Store and Reheat Extras
Let the asparagus cool and then transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can eat cooked asparagus cold, or warm it up in the oven for about 5 minutes at 350F. If you want to heat it in the air fryer you can do that by warming it at 350F for about 2 minutes.
More Easy Side Dishes to Try
Roasted Asparagus (Oven or Air Fryer)
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch, about 1 pound fresh asparagus
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese, for serving
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Prep your tools. If roasting your asparagus in the oven, preheat your oven to 425F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If you are using an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 400F.
- Prep the asparagus. Trim the woody ends off the asparagus. Discard the ends. Add the asparagus to a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil, stirring gently to coat. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, kosher salt and pepper. Give the asparagus another stir.
- To roast the asparagus in the oven. Arrange the asparagus in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet. Bake until the bottom of the asparagus is tender. Cook time will depend on how thick your asparagus is. Very thin or small asparagus spears will be done in about 12 minutes. Larger and thicker spears will be done in about 18-20 minutes. Start checking for doneness at the 12 minute mark.
- To cook the asparagus in the air fryer. Layer the prepared asparagus in your air fryer and cook at 400F for 7-8 minutes or until they are tender with some light golden brown coloring.
- Serve. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if desired.