Air Fryer Asparagus Parmesan (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Spring is Here!

Flowers are blooming everywhere, the days are definitely longer, the sun is shining brighter – spring is definitely here!

And of course, with the arrival of spring, we have big bunches of bright green asparagus on sale everywhere – at the farmer’s markets, in the supermarkets, and at the vegetable grocer’s.

So today we’re making an air fryer asparagus recipe to take advantage of all the beautiful Spring harvest!

Why This Recipe Works:

• Simple Ingredients: The few ingredients you need for this simple recipe are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
• Ready in No Time: This delicious air fryer parmesan asparagus recipe is done in 15 minutes. Easy, quick, minimal cooking time in the air fryer and barely any cleanup – great for busy weeknights!
• Totally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Vegan: The best part is that this recipe is 100% gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan, so even those with Celiac disease or those with gluten or lactose intolerances, or those on a gluten-free or vegan diet are able to enjoy them without any issues!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for this air fryer parmesan asparagus recipe.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

• Asparagus: When choosing asparagus, it’s been to choose those with thinner stalks and leave the thick asparagus on the shelf. I use fresh asparagus when it’s Spring and asparagus are abundant. Alternatively you can also use frozen asparagus instead. Simply cook the frozen asparagus for a couple of extra minutes in the air fryer (the first few minutes will be for thawing them).
• Olive Oil: I like using extra virgin olive oil, but you can use any oil you prefer (such as corn oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil etc).
• Parmesan: I used dairy-free parmesan to keep this recipe dairy-free and vegan. You may also use nutritional yeast if you prefer. Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, feel free to use normal grated parmesan cheese instead.
• Black Pepper: I like adding a bit of freshly ground black pepper for a kick of heat. However, if you prefer you can also use ground paprika or red pepper flakes instead.

How to Make Air Fryer Asparagus with Parmesan (Step by Step):

1. Grease and Preheat

Grease the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray and preheat the air fryer to 400F.

2. Trim Asparagus Ends

Using a sharp knife, cut off the thick ends (the woody part) from the asparagus stalks, about 1/2-inch, so only the tender part remains.

3. Season Asparagus

Place the asparagus spears in a large bowl, sprinkle with salt and pepper and brush the asparagus stalks with olive oil.

4. Place Asparagus in Air Fryer

Place the asparagus in the air fryer basket.

5. Cook Asparagus

Air fry asparagus for 7 minutes, shaking them halfway through.

After that, sprinkle the asparagus with the grated dairy-free parmesan and fry for another 3 minutes.

6. Serve and Enjoy

Serve the air fryer parmesan asparagus immediately after air-frying, with a squeeze of lemon juice and lemon zest if desired.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

• Optional Condiments: Feel free to add other condiments such as ground paprika, red chili flakes, garlic powder or onion powder etc if you prefer.
• Cooking Time: Depending on the thickness of the asparagus stalks, you may need to increase or decrease cooking time. Thinner stalks will need less air fryer time, and while thicker asparagus will need more time.
• Storing: If you have any leftover asparagus, place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the parmesan air fryer asparagus in a preheated air fryer at 390F for 3 minutes until hot and crispy again before eating immediately.

Recipe FAQs:

Other Easy Air Fryer Recipes to Enjoy:

Healthy Side Dishes You’ll Love: