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Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Keto Asparagus Spears

Asparagus dried well, tossed with oil, cracked pepper, and lemon zest, and air fried by thickness to crisp-tender, with an optional Parmesan crust.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 70
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb asparagus ends snapped, trimmed to match
  • 1-1.5 tsp olive or avocado oil
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2-1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 lemon zested, plus 1 to 2 tsp juice
  • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan optional, in the last 1 to 2 minutes
  • crushed red pepper a pinch, optional

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • Large bowl

Method
 

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 390 to 400°F for 3 minutes.
  2. Rinse and dry the asparagus thoroughly, then toss with the oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and lemon zest.
  3. In a single layer: thin spears 5 to 6 minutes, medium 6 to 7, thick 7 to 9 (shake once at 5).
  4. Add the lemon juice and, if using, the Parmesan in the last 1 to 2 minutes.

Notes

Dry the spears — skipping it gives pale, soggy asparagus.
Measure the oil rather than free-pouring; too much and it turns greasy.
Cook by thickness — bitter, shrivelled tips mean it went too long.