Frozen Asparagus in Air Fryer
on Jan 06, 2024, Updated Sep 07, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Sometimes, we all need a super simple way to get healthy and delicious veggies on the dinner table, and this recipe for Frozen Asparagus in Air Fryer is the perfect solution. This recipe is all about bringing ease and versatility to your kitchen. With just a few simple steps, you can transform frozen asparagus into a mouthwatering side dish that’s easy to prepare and bursting with flavor.
Table of Contents
- 💪 Why Frozen Asparagus in Air Fryer?
- 🤔 Asparagus Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- 🍽 Ingredients for This Easy Recipe
- 👨🍳 How To Make Frozen Asparagus in Air Fryer
- 😉 Tips to Perfect This Recipe
- 🥡 Storing and Reheating Asparagus
- 🌱 Other Air Fryer Vegetables
- 💨 Try These Smoked Veggies
- ❓ FAQ
- 🎬 Time to Air Fry!
- CONNECT WITH A LICENSE TO GRILL!
- Frozen Asparagus in Air Fryer Recipe
Perfect for those days when time is of the essence, but you still want to serve something nutritious and enjoyable. The asparagus is served with a wonderfully tasty bacon vinaigrette. The beauty of this dish lies in its adaptability; whether you want to add a zesty twist with some lemon, a cheesy sprinkle of Parmesan, or stick to the classic salt and pepper, this recipe is like a blank canvas waiting for your personal touch. So, let’s dive in and see how you can put a fresh spin on veggies with minimal effort and maximum taste!
💪 Why Frozen Asparagus in Air Fryer?
- It is an incredibly easy and delicious way to get veggies on the table!
- Frozen asparagus is typically harvested at its peak freshness to lock in the flavor and nutrients.
- You can easily mix up and change the flavors by adding your twist or variation to the recipe.
- A tasty twist on a timeless vegetable.
- Bacon and asparagus make the perfect pair.
- Make it slightly crispy or perfectly tender – just adjust the air fryer cook time!
🤔 Asparagus Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Add some cheese. Parmesan pairs perfectly with asparagus! Just grate some over the asparagus during the last minute or two of cooking.
- Make it herby. You could also add garlic, thyme, rosemary, or basil to the simple salt and pepper seasoning. Dial in the flavors to your preference.
- Citrus lovers may want to add some lemon juice, zest, and crushed black pepper.
- Make it sweet by adding a drizzle of honey or some granulated sugar to the vinaigrette to make this dish slightly sweeter.
- Pile on some fried onions or seasoned bread crumbs for a vegetarian alternative to the crumbled bacon topping.
🍽 Ingredients for This Easy Recipe
Most of the ingredients needed are for the bacon vinaigrette. It’s optional for this recipe, but I can’t recommend it enough! Remember to scroll down to the printable recipe card for all of the details.
- Frozen asparagus. I’m using 10 ounces for my air fryer frozen asparagus.
- Olive oil. You’ll need olive oil for the vinaigrette and for cooking the vegetables.
- Salt and ground pepper. To season the asparagus and add a bit more flavor to the dressing.
- Shallot. All traditional vinaigrette recipes start with minced shallot. You could also use red onion if you have it on hand.
- Balsamic vinegar. The other key ingredient for the dressing!
- Dijon mustard. I love using Dijon because it has a bite that I can’t get enough of.
- Bacon. Use your air fryer to cook the bacon, or opt to use pre-cooked bacon bits to make this frozen asparagus recipe even easier to make.
👨🍳 How To Make Frozen Asparagus in Air Fryer
You’ll only need to set aside about 15 minutes to make air fryer frozen asparagus! Refer to the printable recipe card below for detailed step-by-step instructions for this recipe.
- Make the vinaigrette and set it aside for later.
- If using uncooked bacon, cook it in the air fryer. Crumble or chop it into bite-sized pieces.
- Place the asparagus in the air fryer and cook. Toss halfway through the cooking time.
- When it’s done, place it on a serving plate, drizzle with the vinaigrette dressing, and then add the bacon. Enjoy!
😉 Tips to Perfect This Recipe
- No thawing is necessary. Simply place the frozen asparagus in the air fryer straight from the freezer.
- Toss the veggies halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
- You also need to arrange the asparagus spears in a single layer in the air fryer basket to make sure that they cook properly. Don’t overcrowd it!
- Test for doneness with a fork before removing the air fryer frozen asparagus from the basket.
🥡 Storing and Reheating Asparagus
Air fryer frozen asparagus can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days when stored properly in an airtight container. If you want to get ahead for an upcoming barbecue or backyard party, you can prepare it a few days in advance.
Use your air fryer to reheat it! Simply cook at 400°F for 3-4 minutes.
If you want to refreeze the asparagus once it’s been cooked, let it cool completely before placing it in an airtight container. It will last for 3-4 months, and you can reheat it in the air fryer as instructed above.
🌱 Other Air Fryer Vegetables
💨 Try These Smoked Veggies
❓ FAQ
Yes, you could lightly coat the vegetables with oil before air frying them. It helps to enhance the flavor and give your asparagus a light browning while they cook. The oil also allows for the seasoning to stick the asparagus well. You don’t have to go overboard — a little bit of oil goes a long way when it comes to cooking in the air fryer.
Yes. I recommend shaking the air fryer basket about halfway through the cooking process. This ensures that the frozen asparagus in the air fryer cooks evenly on all sides.
Sure! If you want to save time, you can add some other vegetables directly to the air fryer with the asparagus. You can keep the temperature the same, but please be aware that adding other ingredients will affect the cooking time. You’ll likely have to let the veggies cook for a little longer.
🎬 Time to Air Fry!
Now you know how to cook frozen asparagus in the air fryer! It’s the easiest way to get delicious and flavorful veggies on the table in a flash. You don’t even need to worry about thawing when you use my recipe. Use it to create a tasty side dish that all asparagus lovers are sure to gobble up.
Whether you make it for a weekday dinner or a get-together with friends and family, enjoy your perfectly cooked veg in no time, thanks to the air fryer!
CONNECT WITH A LICENSE TO GRILL!
Be sure to follow us on our social media accounts.
Did you make this recipe? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Frozen Asparagus in Air Fryer
Ingredients
Optional Bacon Vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons shallot, minced (or red onion)
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 8 to 10 strips bacon, or ½ cup precooked bacon bits
Air Fryer Frozen Aspargus
- 10 ounces frozen asparagus
- 2 to 3 sprays olive oil, or cooking spray
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
Make the Vinaigrette
- Add the minced shallot, vinegar, olive oil, Dijon. salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk until well combined. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired. Set aside for later.
- Cook the bacon (or use precooked bacon bits). Skip this step if you are starting with pre-cooked bacon bits.
- If you are starting with raw bacon, place it in the air fryer in a single layer. Cook at 370°F for 8 to 12 minutes or until crispy. Turn the bacon halfway through the cooking time. Cook the bacon in batches if you have a small air fryer.
- When the bacon cools, crumble it or chop it into small pieces. Add the bacon to the vinagrette.
Cook the Asparagus
- Place the frozen asparagus in the air fryer and spray it with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Cook at 400°F for 8 to 12 minutes (toss them after 4 to 6 minutes). If you have thin asparagus spears, reduce the cooking time to 6 minutes.
- Transfer the asparagus to a serving plate, drizzle the vinaigrette over the asparagus, and top and sprinkle with the bacon.
Notes
- You do not need to thaw the asparagus before cooking it in the air fryer.
- To ensure even cooking, remember to toss the asparagus during cooking.
- Feel free to add different seasonings and spices to the asparagus. Some suggestions are lemon zest, garlic, parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes.
- Store in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 days. Then, reheat in the air fryer at 400°F for 3 to 4 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
