I always love it when simple, elegant, and delicious collide. You are going to fall in love with this easy to make Keto Asparagus recipe. Crisp tender asparagus is seasoned and cooked perfectly. This finishing touch is a sprinkle of Parmesan and a drizzle of lemon juice.
Recipes like this keto asparagus have become a regular in my kitchen, because they’re quick, delicious, and always low-carb.
It’s the kind of simple side dish that saves me on nights when I don’t know what to make! Recipes like this one make sticking to a keto lifestyle feel a whole lot easier.
Serving Suggestions
Asparagus is a fabulous side for steak (use this marinade), and works equally well with roasted chicken. I also love it with Keto Chicken Parmesan and Parmesan Crusted Steak. Cooled roasted asparagus is a great addition to a salad.
Asparagus Tips
Selecting Asparagus
While both thick and thin asparagus is sweet and grassy, opt for thicker asparagus for this recipe. Thick spears will stand up to the heat better, and you won't have to worry as much about overcooking.
Look for spears where the bottom is still moist, and the tops are tightly closed.
Storing Asparagus
When you get asparagus home from the grocery store, go ahead and trim the ends off. Fill a mason jar with an inch of water, and place the spears in it like you would flowers. Cover with a clear plastic bag.
To Peel or Not to Peel?
It is a matter of personal preference. The thicker asparagus that I recommend you use for this recipe will have a woody base. Some people suggest that you break the bottom off at its natural breaking point.
This practice, while effective, causes a LOT of waste. For the sake of my grocery budget, I like to cut off the bottom inch and then peel the bottom half as necessary.
Tools Needed to Make This Recipe:
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- Air Fryer (I've had three or four air fryers now, and this is my favorite!) or Baking Sheet and Parchment Paper
- Whisk
- Bowl
- Hand Grater or Food Processor with a Grating Disk. (This makes my life SO MUCH EASIER.)
Variations for Low Carb Asparagus
- If you are dairy-free, skip the Parmesan.
- Use lime juice instead of lemon juice, a pinch of cayenne pepper, and top with toasted pine nuts.
- Top with pancetta or bacon. Keto Asparagus with Bacon = Dinner Bliss!
- Use goat cheese instead of Parmesan cheese.
- You can use melted butter instead of oil. (Use unsalted - that way, you can control the salt levels!)
Step by Step
First, preheat. You can make this recipe in the oven or the air fryer. To make Keto Air Fryer Asparagus, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees. If using an oven, preheat to 420 degrees.
Next, trim the ends off the bottom.
Mix the oil and seasonings next. In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Toss - Place the vegetables in a bowl and pour the olive oil mixture over it.
Cook - Next, arrange in a single layer in an air fryer basket or on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cooking time in the air fryer will be between 5 to 11 minutes, depending on the desired doneness. For the oven, the time will be from 6 to 13 minutes.
Transfer the cooked veggies to a serving platter. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the vegetables and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. (If desired, you can melt the cheese first and then transfer to a serving platter before drizzling with lemon juice.)
Keto Asparagus with Parmesan
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus with ends snapped off
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt for an extra punch of flavor use truffle sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees or your oven to 420 degrees.
- Trim the ends of your asparagus off. If you have especially thick asparagus, you may wish to trim the sides as well.
- Place the asparagus in a bowl.
- Whisk together the olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour over the asparagus and toss to coat.
Air Fryer Keto Asparagus
- Spread the asparagus in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer you may need to cook in batches.
- Cook for 5 minutes for crisp-tender asparagus, or for 8 to 11 minutes for asparagus that is crisp and brown but still tender on the inside.
Baked Keto Asparagus
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread asparagus in a single layer.
- Cook for 6 minutes for crisp-tender asparagus, or for 10 to 13 minutes for asparagus that is crisp and brown but still tender inside.
Before Serving
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the asparagus and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Variations
- If you are dairy free, skip the Parmesan.
- Use lime juice instead of lemon juice, at a pinch of cayenne pepper, and top with toasted pine nuts.
- Top with pancetta or bacon. Keto Asparagus with Bacon = Dinner Bliss!
- Use goat cheese instead of Parmesan cheese.
- Melted butter can be used instead of the oil . (Use unsalted - that way you can control the salt levels!)
robin rue says
Oh yum, that sounds like a delicious side dish. I think my whole family is going to like this.
Sarah Bailey says
It always amazes me all the different items which you can have on a keto diet and the different ways you can cook them! These asparagus sticks sound delicious.
Heather says
Oh, that looks wonderful! I really like asparagus! I don't cook it too often because the kids think its too chewy or weird. But I like it. Thanks for the recipe.
Rachel says
I always thought I didn't like asparagus too. It turns out that my mom didn't really know how to make it.
Lia Mae says
Asparagus is just one of those vegetables that just taste amazing. I will definitely be making this recipe soon.
Kathy says
That recipe looks so good. Asparagus is so delicious! My daughters love it as well. I'll have to try this recipe and see what we all think.
info says
Okay, so most guacamole is already keto, but this guacamole has all the right ingredients in all the right proportions. Add a little extra jalapeno if you want to kick it up a notch.
Carolyn Bryan says
What kind of pork rinds are the best on keto
Heather says
I made mine without any cheese and using the air fryer was such a great idea! It came out perfect.
Kim says
Easy and delicious! It is a staple in my veggie rotation, thank you for the recipe.
Wendy Polisi says
I am so glad you liked it!
Tammy Bass says
I cooked this for dinner tonight. I baked it in the oven - with bacon. It was amazing! I'll definitely be making this again!