Description
Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Panko Asparagus Fries offer a healthy twist on a popular snack. Coated with a crunchy mixture of panko and seasoned breadcrumbs, these asparagus spears are air fried to a perfect golden crisp in just minutes, making an easy and delicious appetizer or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Asparagus Fries
- 1 bunch of asparagus (about 1 pound/20 spears)
- 1 egg (whisked with 1 teaspoon water)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare the asparagus: Wash and pat dry the asparagus thoroughly. Bend each spear until it naturally snaps at the breaking point, discarding the tough woody ends to ensure tender fries.
- Set up breading stations: Arrange three shallow dishes: one filled with all-purpose flour, one with the beaten egg mixture (egg whisked with 1 teaspoon of water), and one with a combined mixture of panko and seasoned breadcrumbs. This setup allows efficient coating of the spears.
- Bread the asparagus: Coat each asparagus spear first in the flour, shaking off excess. Then dip it into the egg wash to moisten, followed by rolling it in the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated. Shake off any excess crumbs for even cooking.
- Prepare for air frying: Lay the coated asparagus spears on a parchment-lined baking sheet and lightly spray them with cooking spray to promote crisping and prevent sticking.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat. This ensures a hot cooking environment for crispy results.
- Cook the asparagus: Arrange the coated asparagus in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook for 7 minutes until crisply golden. Remove with tongs and continue air frying the remaining spears until all are done and crispy.
- Serve: Serve the asparagus fries hot with your favorite dipping sauce such as ranch, aioli, or marinara for a crunchy, flavorful snack.
Notes
- Make sure asparagus spears are similarly sized for even cooking.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to maintain crispiness.
- Use cooking spray lightly to avoid sogginess while promoting browning.
- Try seasoning the breadcrumbs with garlic powder or paprika for extra flavor.
- Leftover fries can be reheated in the air fryer to restore crispness.
