Step 1: Prepare the asparagus. Wash the asparagus spears thoroughly and pat them dry. Snap off the tough, woody ends. A good trick is to hold a spear by both ends and bend it; it will naturally break where the tender part begins.
Step 2: Season the asparagus. In a medium bowl, combine the trimmed asparagus with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Toss gently to ensure all spears are evenly coated.
Step 3: Add Parmesan. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the asparagus and toss again until the cheese adheres to the spears. This is key for our delicious asparagus air fryer recipe.
Step 4: Preheat the air fryer. If your air fryer has a preheat function, preheat it to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes. This helps achieve a crispier result faster.
Step 5: Arrange in air fryer. Place the seasoned asparagus in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking and crispiness. This is crucial for a great asparagus air fryer recipe.
Step 6: Air fry. Cook for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your asparagus spears and your specific air fryer model. Look for spears that are tender-crisp and slightly browned with crispy Parmesan.
Step 7: Serve immediately. Transfer the crispy air fryer asparagus to a serving dish and enjoy hot! A little extra sprinkle of Parmesan or a squeeze of lemon juice can be added if desired.