Learn how quick and easy it is to roast asparagus with garlic and Parmesan in a convection oven. Also, the best tips for buying and trimming asparagus. The convection oven helps bake asparagus that is crispy on the outside while still moist and tender on the inside.
🥣Ingredients
Asparagus
Olive oil
Garlic
Parmesan Cheese-Grated
Salt and Pepper
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Featured Comment by Jenne:
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"Tonight I needed a quick convection roasted recipe for asparagus…My husband said it was SOOO good!! He pointed at the empty pan and said "THAT was good! Wow!" So thank you for a great, quick and very delicious recipe."
This company-worthy healthy dish only needs 5 minutes of prep time and about 12 minutes in your convection oven. A convection oven produces a nice browning, but a regular oven can be used.
👨🍳How to Make Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan—Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
1. Combine olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Wash and trim asparagus by cutting off 1 inch of the base.
2. Place asparagus on a baking pan. Coat with the oil mixture. Clean hands are allowed.
3. Spread the asparagus evenly in a single layer on a baking pan with sides and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake at 400° convection or 425° conventional oven until you can pierce the thick end of the asparagus with a fork and 135° internal temperature—about 12-15 minutes.
For more details, keep reading. See the Recipe Card below for complete instructions and to print.
⏲️How long does it take to bake asparagus
In a 400° convection oven, baking time for medium-thick asparagus will be 12-15 minutes. Cooking time will vary by the thickness of the asparagus, the oven temperature, and the level of doneness you want.
Thin asparagus may take as little as 9 to 10 minutes, whereas thicker asparagus may need 15 to 20 minutes.
👍When is asparagus done?
Bake until you can pierce the thick end of the asparagus with a fork. It should be nicely brown but not mushy. If unsure, aim for an internal temperature of 135° with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the spear.
Grlling Asparagus on a Gas Grill
Tender and smoky grilled asparagus is an ideal vegetable side dish for most grilled entrees. Grilling asparagus on a gas grill is easy and quick, needing only a few ingredients.
😊How to choose the freshest asparagus
What should you look for in the freshest asparagus?
- Color—vibrant colors with dark green and a tinge of violet on top are the best.
- Size—not to think and not too skinny. Thick can be woody, and thin will tend to overcook easily.
- Feel—firm and not limp.
- Ends—not dried out.
When and Where to Buy?
The best asparagus is during the growing season in your area. In Michigan, it is early May and ends in mid-to-late June. In other regions of the country, it may start as early as February.
Buy as local as possible. The farm or farmers' market is the best. Depending on how they source things, your local market may be ok.
🔪How to trimming asparagus—snap or cut
The great debate rages. Should you snap or cut asparagus?
Over the years, most experts have suggested that snapping the woody ends of asparagus stalks will magically break at the correct point. The idea was that the tough base would meet the tender shaft at this natural breaking point.
Well, not so much, it turns out. According to Cooks Illustrated, you are throwing out lots of your tasty asparagus. Cutting off a bit of the end will not waste as much since the snap method is inaccurate in where it breaks.
Cooks Illustrated suggests trimming 1 inch and then peeling the woody exterior if it is thick. I have been using this method for several years—it is perfect every time.
🍽️Serving
Serve with Small Crock Pot Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze, Grilled NY Strip Steaks, Grilled Ribeye, Small Prime Rib Roast, or most chicken recipes like Convection Oven Chicken Breasts.
❄️Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 days.
Reheat in a hot oven in a single layer on a baking sheet. You can use a microwave, but it will have a poorer texture.
❓FAQs
It needs more than a bag and the crisper in the refrigerator. Put about an inch of water in a tall jar, cut about an inch off the asparagus spears, and place them in the water. DO NOT WASH. Cover the container and asparagus with a loose plastic bag.
No, trim the end, rinse, and pat dry. There is no need to soak or blanch asparagus before roasting.
The best oven temperature is 400° convection to get the spears cooked through and keep the surface firm. You can cook without convection, but the surface will be a bit softer.
If you use the oven for another dish, you can easily bake at different oven temperatures with or without convection and adjust the time.
👨🍳Recipe
Roasted Asparagus with Garlic and Parmesan
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Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2-4 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt - to taste
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° convection or 425° conventional—clean and trim 1 pound of asparagus.
- Combine 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2-4 cloves crushed garlic, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- Place asparagus on a baking pan. Coat with the oil mixture. Clean hands are allowed.
- Spread the asparagus evenly in a single layer on a baking pan with sides and sprinkle with ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake until you can pierce the thick end of the asparagus with a fork and brown—about 12-15 minutes. If unsure, aim for an internal temperature of 135° with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the spear.
- Thin asparagus may take as little as 9 to 10 minutes, whereas thicker asparagus may need 15 or more.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips
- Pick the best fresh asparagus. See the discussion in the post for tips.
- Cut to trim the asparagus ends about 1 inch, and then peel a little of the skin if it's thick.
- We love garlic and use 4 cloves for this, but 2 cloves would be standard.
- When you coat the asparagus with the oil solution, be sure the tray is also coated.
- About 10-15 minutes is tender, but some like a little stiffer asparagus, so time it to taste.
- Thinner asparagus needs less time, and thicker asparagus needs more.
- Make It with Sesame Seeds or Bread Crumbs: Add some toasted sesame seeds or Panko bread crumbs with the Parmesan cheese.
Your Own Private Notes
To adjust the recipe size:
You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.
Nutrition Estimate
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Editor's Note: Originally Published March 6, 2017. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.
Jennie says
Tonight I needed a quick convection roasted recipe for asparagus. I looked online and this recipe came up. I had all the ingredients, but only 1/2 lb. of asparagus. I simply roasted for only 7 minutes. My husband said it was SOOO good!! He pointed at the empty pan and said "THAT was good! Wow!" So thank you for a great, quick and very delicious recipe. I just subscribed and am looking forward to trying more recipes.
Lara says
Yummy. Super simple and one of my favorite ways to roast almost any veggie!