If you want perfect asparagus then air fryer is the way to go!
It is so quick and easy to turn out perfectly tender crisp asparagus spears! I actually made some plain just tossed in olive oil and sprinkled with coarse sea salt. The others I wrapped in prosciutto to give them an Italian flare.
The others I wrapped in prosciutto to give them an Italian flare.
I decided to wrap my asparagus with prosciutto to complement the Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken with Parmesan that I had made. And it was a good match!
Prosciutto wrapped asparagus is also a popular starter.
I would suggest you use fairly thick asparagus stalks if you are wrapping with prosciutto. You don’t want thin stalks that will overcook before the prosciutto gets crispy.
I cooked the prosciutto wrapped asparagus in a single layer on Roast setting (375 degrees) for 10 minutes. I switched the trays at the half way mark and turned the spears over.
Since air fryer performance can vary from machine to machine use this as a guide but check for doneness based on your appliance.
Timing will also depend on the thickness of your asparagus spears. Prosciutto is already ‘cooked’ via the curing process. So if your asparagus is getting overcooked before your prosciutto is really crispy you can sacrifice crispiness for the sake of tender crisp asparagus if you with.
Having said that I am sure we all agree we are aiming for tender crisp asparagus and crispy prosciutto!
You will want to cook the asparagus in a single layer over 2 trays. If you have more spears than will fit on 2 trays you may need to work in batches. If that is the case then you will want to reheat the first batch gently with the 2nd batch just before serving. In that case you are not contrained to a single layer.
Wine Pairing for Air Fryer Asparagus With Prosciutto
Asparagus can be tricky to pair. I always default to a Sauvignon Blanc because it often has a grassy profile that complements the taste of asparagus. If you are using the asparagus with prosciutto as a starter then a somewhat reserved Sancerre or Touraine or Fumé Blanc are a good choice.
A dry savoury, rosé, think Provence style would also work here. Or for full red try Pinot Noir or Beaujolais. A medium bodied, low tannin Barbera would also work.
If you are serving it as a side dish look to your main dish and sauce for inspiration. If a savoury Sauvignon Blanc or other crisp white is in order go with it!
Air Fryer Asparagus With Prosciutto
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb asparagus spears medium to thick spears
- 8 prosciutto slices cut in half horizontally (more as needed depending on the number of spears you have)
- coarse sea salt optional
Instructions
- Clean asparagus spears well to remove any sand from tip. Hold the spear end with one hand and the end of the stalk with the other bend the stalk. It will break naturally where the stalk goes from tender to woody.
- Wrap a half slice of prosciutto tightly around the asparagus stalk.
- Arrange asparagus spears in a single layer over 2 trays. You may need to trim some spears so nothing extends beyond the tray edge. If you have more spears than fit on the 2 trays you will need to work in batches and gently reheat the first batch just before serving.
- Follow instructions for your air fryer regarding preheating or not. Choose a setting that will allow you to Roast at 400° for 8-10 minutes. At the halfway mark switch the trays from top to bottom and turn the spears over.
- At the end of 8 minutes check for overall doneness. Add extra time if needed.
Nutrition
