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.
It comes together without a lot of fuss and works just as well as a holiday side as it does on a busy weeknight. I think you will agree that this one is a keeper!
I didn't grow up eating asparagus and used to think I didn't like it.
I was traumatized in college by a friend who invited me over for dinner and proceeded to serve asparagus from a can.
Years later, I was coaxed to try a bite of asparagus at a restaurant.
It was nothing like what I'd had before. It was crispy, crunchy, and above all, tasted fabulous!
Since then, I make dishes like this Keto Asparagus regularly. I love that it only takes minutes to cook!
These days, I would go so far as to say I love asparagus.
It is the perfect low-carb and healthy side dish for those nights when I don't have a plan.
Keeping recipes like this one in my back pocket make sticking to a keto diet so much easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Asparagus, like all other green vegetables, are a fantastic addition to your ketogenic diet.
One spear has just .3g of net carbs, meaning it would be hard to over-do the carbs when choosing asparagus as your side.
It is a fabulous side for steak (use this marinade), and works equally well with roasted chicken. I also love it with Keto Chicken Parmesan. Cooled roasted asparagus is a great addition to a salad.
It is an excellent source of probiotics, which help to feed the friendly bacteria in your gut. Additionally, it is a good source of vitamins A, C, E, K, and B6. It is an alkaline food, which is especially important to include in a keto or low carb lifestyle.
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.
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.
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!)
How to Make Low Carb Asparagus
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.)
More Keto Side Dishes
- If you like crispy, you are going to fall in love with these Keto Brussels Sprouts. So ridiculously easy!
- Prepare for dinner bliss with this Keto Roasted Cauliflower.
- Like bold flavors? You are going to go wild for this Keto Buffalo Cauliflower Wings.
Want more delicious recipes? Subscribe to my newsletter, and I will send you new gluten-free keto recipes every week!
Keto Asparagus
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!)
Nutrition
Low Carb Side Dishes to Try:
- Prepare for dinnertime bliss with this delicious Fried Cabbage and Bacon from Kasey Trenum. I am pretty sure I could make a meal off this one!
- This Low Carb Mexican Slaw from Kalyns Kitchen is one I could eat again and again! This delicious low carb side has just a handful of ingredients and is flavor packed.
This post was originally published October 2019. It was updated May 2021.
Amber Myers
Yum, this looks SO good. I've always been a fan of asparagus and this looks amazing. What an amazing side dish.
robin rue
Oh yum, that sounds like a delicious side dish. I think my whole family is going to like this.
Sarah Bailey
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.
Tasheena
My family loves asparagus. This would be the perfect side for dinner tonight. I love that It looks super easy to make.
Heather
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
I always thought I didn't like asparagus too. It turns out that my mom didn't really know how to make it.
Catalina
These asparagus look so good! I have some at home and I need to try your recipe!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
I really do love asparagus, it's really yummy and healthy. It's great that this dish is s easy and quick to make as there isn't much time for cooking in the evenings.
Jhentea
Oh wow! It really looks tasty and easy to prepare! I will save this amazing recipe and make this coming weekend.
Ruth I
My sister is on a keto diet. I am sure she will appreciate this dish.
Lia Mae
Asparagus is just one of those vegetables that just taste amazing. I will definitely be making this recipe soon.
Kathy
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.
Tamara
I adore asparagus and I love your combination of spices you use on them. Great recipe I am pinning for later.
Denay DeGuzman
I love asparagus! I get so excited when it's in season. I actually have a few bunches in my fridge, ready for the grill! Your Keto recipe is a fabulous way to enjoy this yummy vegetable!
Heather
I made mine without any cheese and using the air fryer was such a great idea! It came out perfect.
Kim
Easy and delicious! It is a staple in my veggie rotation, thank you for the recipe.
Wendy Polisi
I am so glad you liked it!