How To Cook Asparagus In Air Fryer?

It all starts at the grocery store with a delicious asparagus side dish. Avoid spears that are wilted or mottled at the tips or woody at the base, and look for plump, straight, and green spears. Any fresh asparagus can be air-fried, but medium to thick spears work best. Thinner spears cook quickly, so check them halfway through to see if they’re done. When the asparagus is bright green, tender, and crispy at the tips, it’s done.

How To Cook Asparagus In Air Fryer

Crisp, tender air fryer asparagus seasoned simply with salt and pepper is an easy side dish. If you want to take it a step further, cut the asparagus into bite-sized pieces and combine it with prosciutto ribbons and a lemony vinaigrette in a pasta salad. Serve a springtime tart by arranging air fryer asparagus, chopped ham, and Gruyère cheese into buttery puff pastry. If there are any leftovers, make a morning frittata with the asparagus, cheese, and eggs.

What Is Asparagus?

Asparagus is a vegetable with a long, green spear-like form. Asparagus is one of the most popular veggies in our household. It’s long, spear-shaped, and packed with nutrients and flavor. Some people compare it to broccoli and green beans in terms of flavor.

This vegetable was first grown 2500 years ago in ancient Greece. This vegetable was thinner back then, had thinner stalks, and had a different flavor than it does now. Asparagus has a slightly bitter flavor today, and they have thicker stalks and a different color.

How To Cook Asparagus In An Air Fryer?

When cooking asparagus in an air fryer, there is no need to soak it or parboil it; instead, the air fryer performs all the work. When it comes to frying asparagus in the air fryer, you have a lot of possibilities, such as adding parmesan, lemon, butter, or other flavor combinations. Else, bring a pot of water to a boil before adding the asparagus. Cook asparagus for 1 to 3 minutes, or until brilliant green and fork-tender. Transfer asparagus to an ice water bath to stop the cooking process if not eating straight away. When ready to serve, reheat and season with salt and pepper.

Health Benefits Of Asparagus

Asparagus is one of the most nutritious veggies available, and it’s well-known for having well-balanced nutrients. Here are a handful of asparagus’s many health benefits:

  • Asparagus contains a lot of folates, and this chemical is perfect for DNA synthesis, cell proliferation, and healthy pregnancy.
  • Asparagus has a high vitamin K content. As a result, it helps maintain bone health and blood clotting factors.
  • Vitamins A, C, and E are also abundant.
  • Antioxidants are abundant in asparagus, and these chemicals protect the body from the adverse effects of oxidative stress and free radicals. As a result, it has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and cancer-fighting capabilities. Furthermore, purple asparagus is known to be abundant in antioxidants.
  • It also has dietary fiber, which helps improve digestive health, and it also tips you to have better bowel movements.
  • Asparagus has a low-calorie count, making it an ideal weight-loss nutrient. Additionally, it makes a person feel fuller.
  • It contains a lot of potassium. As a result, it aids in the reduction of blood pressure. As a result, it helps to protect your heart against various heart-related issues such as high blood pressure, strokes, and so on.

Is It Possible To Cook Asparagus In An Air Fryer?

Yes, you certainly can. Asparagus, like other vegetables, can be roasted in the air fryer in the same way as they are in the oven.

When making air fryer roasted asparagus, the asparagus does not require soaking or parboiling; instead, the air fryer does the work.

You also have a lot of alternatives when it comes to cooking asparagus in the air fryer, such as adding parmesan, lemon, butter, or other flavor combinations.

Asparagus In Air Fryer

I’ve used the air fryer to prepare various vegetables because of its simplicity.

You’re stuffing asparagus into an air fryer and cooking it. Cook air fryer peppers or air fryer tomatoes in the same way.

The only stumbling block I’ve encountered is ensuring that it fits. Some air fryers are too tiny to handle asparagus of this length, and you can either chop them down or cook them diagonally to fit them in.

I also like asparagus if you’re on a keto diet because it’s a low-carb vegetable that you can bulk up with butter and cheese to increase the fat content.

How To Cook Asparagus In Air Fryer

Types Of Asparagus

You may believe that asparagus is green. However, this is not the case. Asparagus is also available in two more hues. The three main types of asparagus are as follows:

1. Green Asparagus

Green asparagus is the most popular and commonly utilized type. It has a greenish spearhead and a green stalk, and it’s easy to find in any grocery store. Green asparagus has a grassy, harsh flavor.

2. Purple Asparagus

Purple asparagus is an unusual-looking vegetable. Although the purple tint gives it a different appearance, the interior is green asparagus. Furthermore, compared to green asparagus, the flavor is a little sweeter, and there’s a nuttier accent to the flavor as well.

3. White Asparagus

If you think purple asparagus is unusual, wait until you see white asparagus. The lack of chlorophyll is the sole cause of its white color. As a result, it does not receive any color. Because it grows fully underground, it receives no sunlight. Because white asparagus is farmed in France, it is widely available throughout Europe. White asparagus is a delicacy in its own right. It has a moderate flavor that straddles the green and purple asparagus spectrum.

When Buying Asparagus, What Should You Look For?

From March to July is the best period to pick asparagus. The vegetable at the beginning is ideal. The color is correct, and the stalks are solid and slender. It becomes thicker and delicate as it nears the conclusion of its harvesting cycle.

Because asparagus is so widely available, you may find it at any farmer’s market or in the produce section of any supermarket. When purchasing asparagus, though, there are a few things to bear in mind.

  • To begin, the asparagus should be bright and fresh in color. Whether you get green, purple, or white asparagus, the color should be consistent throughout, and there should be no areas of discoloration on it as well.
  • The skin should be silky smooth, and its body should be free of cuts, bruises, and lumps.
  • Finally, the heads and ends should be compact and freshly cut.

What Is The Best Way To Trim Asparagus?

Trimming asparagus is a simple process. Asparagus can be trimmed in two ways.

  • It’s as simple as washing them, patting them dry, and arranging them equally. Then, with a sharp knife, clip off the woody end, leaving only the hard stalk and spears behind. In addition, the woody end usually has a strangely hard texture and a variety of colors. It gives you a good idea of how much you should trim.
  • Hold both ends of the asparagus spear in your hands and snap off the root end at the woody base.

Conclusion

Air frying asparagus is a quick, tasty, and nutritious way to prepare vegetables. To enhance the flavors, season it with your favorite spices. By placing air fryer asparagus in an airtight container and keeping it in the refrigerator, you can store it. It can last up to three days in the refrigerator. In addition, uncooked asparagus can be stored in the refrigerator. Ensure the asparagus ends are wrapped in a moist towel and placed in a plastic bag. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days this way.