Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these Air Fryer Parmesan Asparagus Fries are a delicious way to enjoy your veggies. Coated in Parmesan and seasoned breadcrumbs, they cook up golden and flavorful in just minutes right in the air fryer.
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If you're looking for a healthier alternative to traditional fries or a creative way to get more greens on your plate, this recipe checks all the boxes. No deep frying, no greasy mess—just fresh asparagus, a few pantry staples, and your trusty air fryer. Plus, even picky eaters might find themselves coming back for seconds!
If you’re craving more air fryer veggie inspiration, try my Air Fryer Broccoli Cheese Balls—they’re crispy, cheesy, and perfect for snacking. You’ll also love the Air Fryer Green Bean Casserole for a fun twist on a classic side, or the Air Fryer Balsamic Roasted Vegetables for a flavorful, wholesome dish that’s perfect any night of the week.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Healthy snack or side dish - These veggies disguised as fries are a delicious and nutritious way to enjoy your vegetables! For another fun and healthy option, try these Air Fryer Carrot Fries—they’re just as easy and packed with flavor.
- Made easy in the air fryer - The air fryer is a quick and simple way to get crispy, tasty asparagus without the need for the oven! It's a win-win.
- Crispy, crunchy, and flavorful - With just a handful of simple ingredients, these asparagus fries turn out crispy, flavorful, and totally satisfying.
- Quick and convenient for busy weeknights - This recipe is a great way to add veggies into a meal without too much hassle. It’s ideal for busy weeks, and the leftovers stay delicious for several days after.
Ingredients
Gather the ingredients below to make this healthier air fryer side dish!
- Asparagus should be bright in color, and have firm stalks and dry, closed buds. You can choose the thickness you prefer, and be sure to snap the thicker ends off before dipping and frying!
- Seasoned panko crumbs add extra crunch and a seasoned, herby flavor
- Parmesan cheese adds a sharp flavor and gives the asparagus a layer of perfect, golden crispiness. If you love that cheesy crunch, you’ll also enjoy these Roasted Garlic Parmesan Green Beans—another easy and flavorful veggie side!
- All-purpose flour and eggs are used to help the parmesan coating stick to the asparagus.
- Nonstick cooking spray helps the asparagus get deliciously crispy in the air fryer.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Add freshness – Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the asparagus fries right after air frying for a pop of brightness and flavor.
- Extra seasoning options – Customize the flavor by adding garlic salt, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, onion powder, or a splash of balsamic vinegar to the breadcrumb mixture.
- Serve with a dip – Pair your crispy asparagus fries with your favorite dipping sauce. Try a homemade fry sauce, spicy mayo, garlic aioli, or keep it simple with classic ranch or ketchup.
- Make it low-carb – Swap out the panko breadcrumbs for crushed pork rinds or almond flour for a keto-friendly version.
- Try a different cheese – While Parmesan adds a salty, savory crunch, you can also experiment with Pecorino Romano, Asiago, or even a dairy-free alternative.
- Switch up the veggies – Use the same breading technique on green beans, zucchini spears, or even carrot sticks for a fun veggie fry mix.
How to Make Air Fryer Parmesan Asparagus Fries
Once you've gathered all your ingredients, prepare your air fryer by spraying it with cooking oil and follow the steps below for this quick and easy weeknight appetizer or side!
- Step 1: Dip asparagus in egg mixture then breadcrumb mixture.
- Step 2: Lay dipped asparagus in your prepared air fryer basket. Spray them generously with nonstick cooking spray.
- Step 3: Air fry at 380ºF for 6-7 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Step 4: Asparagus is done when it is golden and tender.
Helpful Tips
- Ensure even cooking: Place asparagus in a single layer in the air fryer basket and space them apart from each other so that they all cook evenly.
- Asparagus trimming tips: Trimming the thick ends off helps the asparagus fit in the air fryer basket and cook evenly. You can either cut them off with a knife, or snap off the ends at their natural breaking point.
- Use fresh ingredients: Use fresh asparagus for the best flavor and crispy results.
- Use uniform-sized asparagus so that all of your spears finish cooking at the same time.
- Check for doneness by poking the asparagus with a fork. They should be easily poked but not too mushy or hard.
- Cooking spears of different thickness: Depending on the thickness of your asparagus stalks, they may take shorter or longer to cook. Thinner stalks will be done within 6-7 minutes while thicker stalks may take 9-10 minutes to fully cook.
Recipe FAQs
Fresh asparagus gives the best flavor and crunch, but canned or frozen can work in a pinch—just thaw and dry them well to avoid soggy results.
Picking ripe asparagus is important for achieving the most freshness and best flavor! Make sure the asparagus you pick are bright in color and not faded. The stalks should be firm, and the tips of the asparagus should be closed and dry.
Make sure the asparagus is dry before dipping, press the breadcrumb mixture firmly onto the spears, and spray well with cooking spray to help it adhere during cooking.
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can absolutely still make these delicious asparagus fries! Start by preheating your oven to 425ºF and spraying a sheet pan with oil.
Place your asparagus on the oiled pan and spray the spears with oil. Then, bake them for 12 to 14 minutes, flipping the spears over halfway through.
Storage & Freezing Instructions
Storage Instructions
These asparagus fries can be refrigerated for up to 2-3 days when kept in an airtight container. You can reheat them in the air fryer until they are heated through.
Freezing Instructions
It’s best not to freeze these asparagus fries, as they will lose their crunch and become mushy when thawed.
More Air Fryer Side Dish Recipes You'll Love
Looking for other air fryer side dish recipes like this? Try these:
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Air Fryer Parmesan Asparagus Fries
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus (be sure to snap the thicker ends off)
- ⅔ cup seasoned panko crumbs
- ⅔ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs (beaten)
Instructions
- Prepare your air fryer basket by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large shallow bowl, combine breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
- In another shallow bowl, place egg and flour. Whisk together.
- Dip asparagus in egg mixture then breadcrumb mixture.
- Lay dipped asparagus in your prepared air fryer basket. Spray then generously with nonstick cooking spray.
- Air fry at 380ºF for 6-7 minutes, flipping halfway through. Asparagus is done when it is golden and tender.
Notes
- Ensure even cooking: Place asparagus in a single layer in the air fryer basket and space them apart from each other so that they all cook evenly.
- Asparagus trimming tips: Trimming the thick ends off helps the asparagus fit in the air fryer basket and cook evenly. You can either cut them off with a knife, or snap off the ends at their natural breaking point.
- Use fresh ingredients: Use fresh asparagus for the best flavor and crispy results.
- Use uniform-sized asparagus so that all of your spears finish cooking at the same time.
- Check for doneness by poking the asparagus with a fork. They should be easily poked but not too mushy or hard.
- Cooking spears of different thickness: Depending on the thickness of your asparagus stalks, they may take shorter or longer to cook. Thinner stalks will be done within 6-7 minutes while thicker stalks may take 9-10 minutes to fully cook.
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