Published: by Wendy Polisi Modified: · 1259 words. · About 7 minutes to read this article.
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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!
![Keto Asparagus - Air Fryer or Oven (1) Keto Asparagus - Air Fryer or Oven (1)](https://i0.wp.com/kicking-carbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/keto-asparagusHN-680x1020.jpg)
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 thisKeto Asparagusregularly. 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
Is Asparagus Keto Friendly?
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.
What Should I Serve with Asparagus?
It is a fabulous side for steak (usethis marinade), and works equally well with roasted chicken. I also love it withKeto Chicken Parmesan. Cooled roasted asparagus is a great addition to a salad.
What are the Benefits of Eating Asparagus?
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.
How Do I Pick the Best Asparagus for this Recipe?
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.
What is the Best Way to Store 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.
Do I Need to Peel Asparagus?
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 orFood 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.
![Keto Asparagus - Air Fryer or Oven (2) Keto Asparagus - Air Fryer or Oven (2)](https://i0.wp.com/kicking-carbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/keto-asparagus-process-1-680x453.jpg)
Next, trimthe ends off the bottom.
![Keto Asparagus - Air Fryer or Oven (3) Keto Asparagus - Air Fryer or Oven (3)](https://i0.wp.com/kicking-carbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/keto-asparagus-process-2-680x453.jpg)
Mix the oil and seasonings next.In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
![Keto Asparagus - Air Fryer or Oven (4) Keto Asparagus - Air Fryer or Oven (4)](https://i0.wp.com/kicking-carbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/keto-asparagus-process-3-680x453.jpg)
Toss- Place the vegetables in a bowl and pour the olive oil mixture over it.
![Keto Asparagus - Air Fryer or Oven (5) Keto Asparagus - Air Fryer or Oven (5)](https://i0.wp.com/kicking-carbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/keto-asparagus-process-4-680x453.jpg)
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.
![Keto Asparagus - Air Fryer or Oven (6) Keto Asparagus - Air Fryer or Oven (6)](https://i0.wp.com/kicking-carbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/keto-asparagus-process-5-680x453.jpg)
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 theseKeto Brussels Sprouts. So ridiculously easy!
- Prepare for dinner bliss with thisKeto Roasted Cauliflower.
- Like bold flavors? You are going to go wild for thisKeto 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 - Air Fryer or Oven (7) Keto Asparagus - Air Fryer or Oven (7)](https://i0.wp.com/kicking-carbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/keto-asparagus-H2N-680x1020.jpg)
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Print Recipe
5 from 12 votes
Keto Asparagus
This Keto Asparagus is ridiculously easy to make and such a flavor-packed side dish. Easy enough for a weeknight and elegant enough for entertaining! Just three net carbs a serving.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time5 minutes mins
Total Time10 minutes mins
Course: Side Dish, Vegetables
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Crispy
Servings: 4
Calories: 106kcal
Author: Wendy Polisi
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified sales.
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
Calories: 106kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 493mg | Potassium: 249mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 955IU | Vitamin C: 7.8mg | Calcium: 175mg | Iron: 2.5mg
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.