Asparagus is one of the few vegetables that genuinely cooks in under ten minutes, so this is the side dish you make while everything else rests. Add the parmesan only in the last two minutes, or it burns to bitter brown flecks on the basket.
Everything you need
- 500 g asparagus spears, trimmed
- 1½ tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¾ tsp fine salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ⅓ cup (33 g) parmesan, finely grated
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ¼ tsp chilli flakes
Single layer, always. Crowding the basket steams food instead of crisping it. Tap any ingredient to open its converter.
Method
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Snap or trim the woody ends off the asparagus. Bend one spear and it breaks naturally where the tough part ends; use that as your guide for the rest.
For this step
- 500 g asparagus spears
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Toss the spears with the olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper until evenly slicked.
For this step
- 500 g asparagus spears
- 1½ tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¾ tsp fine salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
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Preheat the air fryer to 200°C / 400°F for 3 minutes. Lay the spears in a single layer, side by side rather than piled up.
For this step
- 500 g asparagus spears
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Air fry for 5 minutes, then shake or turn the spears over.
For this step
- 500 g asparagus spears
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Scatter the parmesan over the top and cook for a final 2 to 3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden and the spears are blistered but still have snap.
For this step
- 500 g asparagus spears
- ⅓ cup (33 g) parmesan
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Finish with lemon zest and chilli flakes and serve immediately, while the parmesan is still crisp.
For this step
- ⅓ cup (33 g) parmesan
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ¼ tsp chilli flakes
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Air fryer notes
- Cook at 200°C / 400°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
Cook's tips
- Thick spears need 9 to 10 minutes; pencil-thin ones need 5. Judge by thickness, not weight.
- Grate the parmesan finely so it melts into a sheet rather than sitting in lumps.
Make it your own
- Wrap bundles of 4 spears in prosciutto before cooking and skip the salt.
- Swap parmesan for panko mixed with melted butter for a crunchier top.
Storing & reheating
Best immediately; asparagus goes limp on reheating. Leftovers are good cold, chopped into a salad or omelette, for up to 2 days.
Frequently asked
How long does asparagus take in an air fryer?
About 7 to 8 minutes at 200°C for medium spears. Thin spears need 5, thick ones up to 10. Add cheese only in the final 2 minutes.
Why does my parmesan burn in the air fryer?
It went in too early. Cheese scorches in about 4 minutes at 200°C, so it belongs in the last 2 minutes of any air fryer recipe.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
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A note on cooking safely. Recipes are provided for informational purposes only and are not medical or nutritional advice. Cooking times, temperatures and quantities are suggestions: use your own judgement, and check that meat, poultry, fish and eggs are properly cooked before serving.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes, particularly if you have allergies, a medical condition or specific nutritional requirements.