Emily Johnson
Air frying is a quick and easy way to cook asparagus and mushrooms, with the whole process taking less than 15 minutes. It's a healthy, low-calorie, low-carb, gluten-free, keto-friendly, vegan, and vegetarian option that can be served as a side dish or as part of a main meal. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create the perfect air-fried asparagus and mushrooms.
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What You'll Learn
Preparation: cleaning, cutting, and seasoning
Start by cleaning the asparagus and mushrooms. Rinse the asparagus under cool running water to remove any grit, and trim the ends of the stalks (about 2 inches) to get rid of the woody parts. You can snap off the woody ends at their natural break, or bend the asparagus near the end of the stem and it will naturally break where the spear starts to get tough. Clean the mushrooms with a quick rinse.
Next, cut the asparagus and mushrooms into appropriate sizes. Slice the mushrooms into quarters if they are larger, or halves if they are smaller. You want the mushroom chunks to be roughly the same size. The asparagus should be cut into 2-inch pieces.
Now it's time to season. Place the vegetables in a bowl and drizzle or spritz with olive oil. You can also add melted butter for extra richness. Toss to coat, then sprinkle with seasonings of your choice. Some popular options include salt, black pepper, fresh thyme leaves, rosemary, garlic, soy sauce, and lemon juice. If you want a crispy coating, sprinkle some panko breadcrumbs over the vegetables before cooking. Give the bowl a final toss to ensure everything is well coated and seasoned.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for air-fried asparagus and mushrooms depend on the specific air fryer model and the thickness of the stalks. Most sources recommend a cooking time of 6 to 8 minutes at 380°F to 400°F (200°C).
For example, one source recommends cooking asparagus and mushrooms at 380°F for about 6 to 8 minutes, depending on the desired level of doneness for the asparagus. Another source suggests a slightly higher temperature of 390°F (200°C) for 8 minutes.
If you are cooking only mushrooms, some sources suggest a cooking time of 7 to 8 minutes at 350°F to 430°F (220°C).
It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, so it is recommended to adjust the timing accordingly. Additionally, preheating the air fryer can reduce the overall cooking time.
When cooking asparagus, it is recommended to cut the ends and halve the stalks crosswise to ensure even cooking. For mushrooms, it is best to cut them into quarters or halves, depending on their size, to ensure even cooking and a "meaty" texture.
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Serving suggestions
Air-fried asparagus and mushrooms are incredibly versatile and can be served as a side dish or a main meal. They pair well with a variety of proteins, such as steak, chicken, pork, fish, or eggs. For a plant-based option, you can chop the asparagus and toss it with pasta and sauce or serve it with rice or quinoa.
If you want to keep it simple, season the asparagus and mushrooms with salt and pepper, and perhaps a squeeze of lemon juice for a Mediterranean twist. For a more complex flavor profile, add some dried thyme, red pepper flakes, or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, try a punchy sauce like creamy dill, sesame ginger dressing, or a balsamic vinegar reduction.
For a crunchy texture, top the dish with toasted nuts like almonds or pine nuts. If you're serving it as a side, a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and nutritional yeast flakes will enhance the flavors.
This dish is best served immediately while still warm, as it tends to get soggy when reheated. It can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days, but it's best enjoyed fresh.
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Storage
Storing asparagus:
Asparagus is a highly perishable vegetable, so it's best to buy and eat it on the same day. However, if you need to store it, there are a few methods you can try. One is to treat it like a bouquet of flowers: trim the ends, place the asparagus in a jar with a little water, cover loosely with a plastic bag, and store in the refrigerator, changing the water daily. Alternatively, wrap the ends with a damp paper towel and place the asparagus in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. If you're storing cooked asparagus, you can use a dedicated asparagus container, or wrap the cooked spears in damp paper towels and place them in a gallon-size zip-top plastic bag.
Storing mushrooms:
Mushrooms are also perishable, and their high water content makes them susceptible to slime formation. To store fresh mushrooms, place them in a paper bag or a paper towel-lined zip-top bag. Keep them in the refrigerator on a shelf, not in the crisper drawer, as the latter is too moist. Do not wash the mushrooms until you're ready to cook or eat them. Cooked mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator and eaten later.
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Alternative ingredients
When it comes to alternative ingredients for air-fried asparagus and mushrooms, there are several options to consider.
Firstly, while olive oil is commonly used, you can replace it with low-sodium soy sauce if you're avoiding oil. Additionally, instead of seasoning with salt and pepper, you can use seasoned salt or a no-salt seasoning blend. For an extra crunch, almonds can be added to the dish. Simply soak them in warm water to soften, chop them, and sprinkle them on top of the asparagus and mushrooms before serving.
If you're looking for alternative vegetables to add to the mix, consider broccoli, grilled portobello mushrooms, or cauliflower steaks. These vegetables can be cooked alongside the asparagus and mushrooms in the air fryer, providing a tasty and varied dish.
For those who enjoy a garlicky flavour, fresh garlic can be added to the recipe. Additionally, if you're using an air fryer that doesn't require preheating, you can melt butter and mix it with olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh thyme leaves before stirring in the mushrooms and asparagus and cooking them together.
Lastly, if you're a fan of crispy mushrooms, sprinkling some panko bread crumbs on them before cooking can give them that extra crunch. So, whether it's a crunch of almonds or panko bread crumbs, or the addition of other vegetables, there are plenty of alternative ingredients to experiment with when air-frying asparagus and mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking asparagus and mushrooms in an air fryer takes 6 to 15 minutes, depending on the recipe and the thickness of the asparagus stalks.
Set your air fryer to 380-430 °F (about 180-220 °C) when cooking asparagus and mushrooms.
Clean and trim the asparagus stalks, removing the woody ends, and cut them into 2-inch pieces. Slice the mushrooms into quarters or halves so that the pieces are roughly the same size. Place the vegetables in a bowl and add olive oil, salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings or flavourings. Toss to coat evenly.
