Name: Air-Fryer Roasted Asparagus
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 pound asparagus , trimmed and halved crosswise; 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil; Salt and pepper; Lemon wedges

Why This Recipe Works

There are many reasons to cook vegetables in your air fryer, and not just fried renditions of them. The air fryer’s convection heat ably cooks vegetables of all kinds—without hogging valuable oven space. While we loved using the air fryer to roast sturdy root vegetables, perhaps its simplest application was to cook a bunch of asparagus. Because of asparagus' high water content, we found it best to avoid taking the spears to the point of crispness, which dried them out. Instead, we let the air fryer's circulated heat cook the asparagus until vibrant green and crisp-tender, akin to what we might produce through boiling but without the risk of a waterlogged, mushy outcome. The asparagus needed just a teaspoon of oil and in 6 minutes they emerged perfectly cooked.

Before You Begin

We love asparagus served simply with lemon wedges, but for more bright flavor, pair it with Mint-Orange Gremolata or Tarragon-Lemon Gremolata.

Instructions

Toss asparagus with oil, ⅛ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper in bowl; transfer to air-fryer basket. Place basket in air fryer and set temperature to 400 degrees. Cook asparagus until tender and bright green, 6 to 8 minutes, tossing halfway through cooking. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with lemon wedges.