Air Fryer Frozen Asparagus
Air fryer frozen asparagus is the perfect side dish for dinner, breakfast or brunch. Easy to make, ready in 15 minutes and the asparagus becomes perfectly tender with slightly crispy edges.
The air fryer is my favorite way to cook quick and easy side dishes in under 20 minutes. If you are looking for more frozen vegetables to cook in the air fryer, you should try frozen broccoli in the air fryer, air fryer frozen green beans or roasted air fryer frozen cauliflower.
Reasons you will love this recipe
- Quick and easy
- Simple ingredients that are easy to have on hand
- Versatile
- Healthy recipe (this recipe is vegan, Whole30, low carb and gluten free)
Ingredients
- Frozen asparagus – you can find frozen asparagus spears in most grocery stores. I usually pick them up at Trader Joe’s or Aldi. You can also find frozen asparagus tips, which will cook up quicker in the air fryer and will get crispy and super fun to snack on.
- Olive oil spray or avocado oil spray – this helps ensure that the salt (and other spices) will stick to the asparagus.
- Salt – salt helps to make the asparagus super yummy. You can add more spices depending on what you are serving with the asparagus (see my list of suggestions below).
How to make frozen asparagus in air fryer
Add the veggies to the air fryer: Add the frozen asparagus to the air fryer basket, spray with olive oil or avocado oil spray and sprinkle with salt.
Cook the asparagus: Cook in 390F air fryer for 10 minutes. After 5 minutes, pause the air fryer and shake the basket. Sprinkle the asparagus with the rest of the salt and continue cooking. With 2 minutes left, pause the air fryer again and shake the basket. Serve hot.
Top tips
- Pause the air fryer to shake around the asparagus a few times during cooking. This is especially important if the air fryer basket is very full, and the asparagus is not in one layer.
- Be sure that the oil spray you are using doesn’t have any added propellants, as those can damage the coating on your air fryer baskets. The only ingredient should be olive oil or avocado oil. You can also drizzle the asparagus in some oil if you don’t have the right kind of spray.
- If you don’t have olive oil or avocado oil spray, add the frozen asparagus to a bowl and drizzle with some olive oil, avocado oil or melted butter, ghee or coconut oil.
- Change up the seasoning based on what you are having alongside the asparagus.
- Cooking times may vary based on how thick or thin the asparagus is and the brand of air fryer you have. Thicker asparagus may require more time to cook, thinner asparagus may require less time. Also, every air fryer is different (different wattage and size), so the time needed to cook the frozen asparagus in the air fryer may be different based on what brand you have. Start with 9 minutes at 390F and adjust as needed.
Other flavors and spices
- Garlic powder – garlic powder is a simple way to add so much flavor. It gives a subtle garlic flavor and adds umami which helps make the asparagus taste even more delicious.
- Thyme – thyme has such a springtime flavor that pairs perfectly with cooked asparagus.
- Herbs de Provence – the lavender in herbs de Provence bring a slight floral flavor to the dish
- Lemon juice – a squeeze of lemon juice added after cooking can give a bright flavor to the dish.
- Za’atar seasoning – slightly smoky flavors paired and a subtle sesame flavor from the sesame seeds make this seasoning great, especially when serving it alongside of eggs, chicken or fish.
- Red pepper flakes – add a hint of spice
- Everything bagel seasoning – everything bagel seasoning is packed with flavor and a really simple way to add a ton of flavor at once.
What to serve with air fryer frozen asparagus
- Your favorite sauce for dipping like lemon herb tahini sauce or creamy basil dressing.
- As a simple side dish for Instant pot chicken and potatoes or Balsamic beef and mashed potatoes
- Cut into pieces and on top of Lemon Tahini Pasta or creamy white bean pasta
- Chopped up in a frittata (or omelet) with diced tomatoes
Common questions
Do you need to trim frozen asparagus
No, the beauty of using frozen asparagus is that it’s already been trimmed, so it’s ready to use.
Do you have to defrost the asparagus before cooking?
No, the beauty of this recipe is that the asparagus can cook from frozen, making this a great option when you are trying to get a meal on the table fast.
Do you have to preheat the air fryer?
You do not have to preheat the air fryer, the cooking time reflects a cold air fryer basket. If your air fryer is preheated, it likely won’t require as long of a cooking time (take 1-2 minutes off the cooking time indicated in the recipe).
Is frozen asparagus good?
The texture of frozen asparagus is a little softer when cooked than fresh asparagus. No matter how you cook it, the structure of the asparagus changes when frozen so you will always get a slightly softer texture once cooked.
Does the asparagus get crispy?
The top tip of the asparagus does get crispy, but the rest of the stem is tender and perfectly cooked. The asparagus is similar in texture to roasting asparagus in the oven. If you prefer really crunchy asparagus, I recommend cooking fresh on the stove for just a few minutes until cooked through.
Storing leftovers
Fridge: Store leftover asparagus in the air fryer in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating leftovers: Reheat in a 390F air fryer for 3-5 minutes. You can also microwave on high for 1-1:30.
- You could also enjoy leftovers cold in a salad or stirred into another dish like frittata or pasta to be reheated.
Air Fryer Frozen Asparagus
Ingredients
- 12 oz frozen asparagus
- olive oil spray (or avocado oil spray)
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Place the frozen asparagus in the air fryer basket.
- Spray the asparagus with olive oil spray or avocado oil spray and sprinkle half the salt over the asparagus.
- Put in a 390F air fryer for 11 minutes. After 5 minutes, pause the air fryer and shake the basket. Add the rest of the salt and continue cooking in the air fryer.
- With 2 minutes left, pause the air fryer again and shake the basket. Finish cooking then serve hot.
Equipment
Notes
- Shake the air fryer basket a few times during cooking to ensure the asparagus cooks evenly.
- Be sure that the oil spray you are using doesn’t have any added propellants, as those can damage the coating on your air fryer baskets.
- If you don’t have olive oil or avocado oil spray, add the frozen asparagus to a bowl with olive oil, avocado oil, meted butter, ghee or coconut oil.
- Cooking times may vary based on how thick or thin the asparagus is and the brand of air fryer you have. Thicker asparagus may require more time to cook, thinner asparagus may require less time.
- Fridge: Store leftovers in the air fryer in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating leftovers: Reheat in a 390F air fryer for 3-5 minutes. You can also microwave on high for 1-1:30.
- You could also enjoy leftovers cold in a salad or stirred into another dish like frittata or pasta to be reheated.
