Crunchy Baked Asparagus Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep cooked asparagus crisp? ›

Stand the spears upright in a glass containing 1-2cm of water, cover with a plastic bag and store in the fridge. If space is an issue, wrap the spears in a clean, damp tea towel and store in the crisper section of the fridge. This way your asparagus spears will stay crisp for up to three days.

Why Isn't My Asparagus Crispy? Whether you Air Fry, steam, broil, or roast asparagus — if the spears come out soggy and limp it means they're overcooked.

Overcooking It

Because it only takes a few minutes to cook, keep a close eye on it to avoid soggy, limp stems as the outcome. To avoid overcooking, take it out of the oven or off the stove a minute or so before you think it's done. Another way to prevent overcooking is to shock the asparagus in an ice bath.

Roast asparagus:

Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes or to desired degree of tenderness. Transfer asparagus to a serving dish; sprinkle with almonds.

Add olive oil or butter to pan; when hot, add asparagus, season generously with salt and pepper and cook about 3 to 4 minutes, until bright green, shaking or stirring the pan frequently. The key is to cook the asparagus just enough so that the exterior browns a bit, but the interior remains crunchy.

Sprinkle salt and pepper over the asparagus, and toss until the spears are lightly coated in oil. Arrange the spears in a single layer on the pan. Bake just until the base of the asparagus is easily pierced through by a fork.

“It's important to keep asparagus hydrated and cold to maintain its crispness and freshness,” says Budabin McQuown. “Another option is to wrap the base of your asparagus in a lightly moistened paper towel and put it in a sealable plastic bag.”

Put the asparagus in a steamer basket and cover. Place over a high heat. Once steam forms, cook for 2-4 mins until the asparagus is bright green and tender. Put the asparagus into ice water to stop the cooking process, if not eating right away.

One thing you definitely don't want to do is wash asparagus before storing it—the added moisture will cause the spears to get slimy. When you're ready to cook, just give them a quick rinse under cool running water and pat them dry with a kitchen towel, as Pradhan recommends.

Asparagus contains potassium, an important nutrient for keeping your heart, bones, kidneys and nerves functioning and healthy. You may be surprised to learn that this stalky vegetable also consists of a compound called asparaptine, which may help improve blood flow, in turn lowering blood pressure.

Does asparagus get softer the longer you cook it? ›

Undercooked asparagus, crunchy and forbidding, can taste like a punishment. But if you simmer asparagus long enough to cook it through, its texture becomes soft and almost creamy, and its lovely flavor comes into full bloom.

To store cooked asparagus, place the leftover spears in a shallow airtight container such as a freezer bag or plastic food container. You can also tightly wrap your asparagus in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Always refrigerate cooked asparagus to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria.

Now that you kept your raw asparagus fresh enough to cook, you may have a few leftover spears you want to save for another meal. Place any leftover asparagus in an airtight container. Save for two to three days in the refrigerator.