Roasted Asparagus in the Oven

This is a recipe for roasted asparagus, which is so easy to make and delicious to eat, you will wonder why you haven’t been making it this way for years.

They are so fresh and have a little bit of olive oil and spices on them and then roasted in the oven. It’s a great side dish that goes so well with almost any meal.

Making roasted asparagus is a very easy and simple way to make them look and taste fancy. I have made oven roasted asparagus for friends who don’t normally like it and this recipe has completely changed their opinion for the positive.

They are a tasty and crisp vegetale and go on the side of whatever else you are serving. Sometimes we even make Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus, which is even better!

Benefits of Roasting Asparagus

Sure, there are other ways to cook asparagus, but roasting them is our favorite. Here are some of the benefits:

• Preparing the asparagus is easy.
• Roasting is more flavorful than steaming.
• It’s a quick veggie to make.
• It can be a side dish or used in salads or in pasta recipes.
• We absorb vitamin E better if it’s eaten with some fat (a little olive oil).

Roasted Asparagus Ingredients

• Asparagus – Most popular ones are green but you can also get white ones.
• Olive Oil – This is used to coat the asparagus which gives them a nice flavor and prevents them from sticking to the tray when roasting asparagus.
• Salt – Helps to enhance the flavor of baked asparagus.
• Pepper – Black ground gives it a slight kick.
• Garlic – An essential flavor in roasting veggies.
• Onion Powder – Gives the oven-baked asparagus just a slight onion flavor without overpowering the stalks.

Fresh vs. Frozen Asparagus

Fresh veggies are always better than frozen ones. Even though frozen asparagus have some vitamins and nutrients, fresh is just as good for you and taste better too.

It’s typical with other frozen vegetables that when you try to roast them they never roast as well as fresh. They are a bit soggy and just don’t get that real roasted texture or flavor.

Choosing the Right Asparagus

When you go to the store or market you may notice sometimes that there are asparagus that are green and some that are white. The green ones are most common because you can usually find them year-round in the store.

Make sure to buy only fresh asparagus, which are bright green and firm because those are the freshest. Do not use canned because they are always mushy, which will not make good oven roasted asparagus.

The other thing to consider when planning is the size to buy. I think that the thin ones are too thin, not enough substance to them, and they tend to overcook and get woody and dry easily.

The very large ones are too thick and are sometimes tougher because they have grown too long. To quote Goldilocks, the medium or medium/large ones are “just right”.

White asparagus is usually only around from April-June. Make sure they are bright white in color and firm in texture.

The white asparagus have a more simple taste, so when you season it up just do it in a simple way, maybe just some salt and pepper. Another good option is to serve them with a creamy sauce like hollandaise or remoulade which makes them more elegant.

What Temperature to Bake Asparagus in the Oven?

Now that you have purchased your green stalks, the next step is to learn how to roast the asparagus in the oven. What temperature is best?

When you are cooking asparagus it needs to be at a high temperature. It won’t roast if the temperature is too low but they will burn easily if it’s too high. 

In order to make the best asparagus in the oven, we set our oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit, but depending on how hot your oven runs, 425 degrees is ok too as long as you watch them. 

How Long to Roast Asparagus?

When you are making oven-roasted asparagus, they are not a veggie that takes too much time. We recommend that to make the best roasted asparagus, they should only take 10-12 minutes total, and that will depend on how thick they are to start with. 

If you overcook them they will start to get soggy. A tip to remember is that the baked asparagus will also continue to cook for a couple of minutes longer when they come out of the oven. For this reason It’s better to slightly undercook them than overcook them. 

You can always stick them back in the oven for another couple of minutes if you have to.

Do You Wash Asparagus Before Cooking?

When roasting asparagus I have done it both ways, washing them and not washing them and both are ok.

However, if you do wash them you need to make sure to dry them off well before roasting them or else they will make soggy asparagus instead of crispy roasted ones.

Cutting Asparagus

One of the most common questions is how to cut asparagus. After all you don’t want to cut off too much, so what is the right amount?

When you prepare your stalks to make roasted asparagus, the bottom of the stem is woody, tough, and not edible, so it only makes sense that we need to get rid of that part. It can be cut or snapped off, leaving just the good part of the stalk.

It is really easy to snap it off. Let the asparagus tell you where to break it by bending the stalk down near the bottom, usually where the color changes, and it will naturally snap off where it is supposed to.

You will see that it is amazing how it knows where to break and it is also a fun project for the kids to help you with!

How to Make Oven-Baked Asparagus

It is very easy to make this oven-roasted asparagus recipe, so let me explain to you the few easy steps in doing so.

1. Bend the stalks and snap off the tough ends at their natural breaking point.
2. Rinse off your stalks and dry them thoroughly so that they do not get mushy during roasting.
3. Lay them out on a baking sheet, single layer.
4. Coat them evenly with olive oil and spices.
5. Roast the asparagus in the oven at 400 degrees for about 10-12 minutes. Take them out when done and serve.

FAQs and Tips

When you make a recipe that you have never made before, it is good if you get some helpful tips so you can be successful when making it. So let’s answer a few frequently asked questions so that you can get the best baked asparagus.

• If you have ever eaten stringy asparagus, it’s because they have been thin ones that can easily become overcooked. The best ones to use when roasting asparagus are medium- medium/large.
• To remove the tough ends of the stalks, bend them since they have a natural breaking point, and the woody, tough end will snap right off.
• If you decide to line your baking sheet, don’t use aluminum foil because it can make your asparagus mushy. Instead, use parchment paper when cooking asparagus.
• Place them on the cookie sheet in a single layer and they will roast better and not be mushy.

Do You Pre-Cook Asparagus Before Baking It?

They can be called easy baked asparagus because they do not have to be pre-cooked before baking them in the oven. The roasting process cooks them from start to finish and there is no need to pre-cook them first.

How to Keep Asparagus from Getting Soggy

The most common reason that asparagus gets soggy is when you overcook them. They turn from bright green and crispy to a soggy mess. My advice is to take them out of the oven before you feel that they are done because they will continue to cook after they come out of the oven. 

You could also put them in an ice bath when they come out of the oven which will stop the cooking process. This can be extremely helpful when using the oven-baked asparagus in your cold salads.

Canned asparagus are already soggy when you buy them. That’s why it’s better to stay with fresh ones. However, when you buy fresh ones, use them within the first few days because the longer they stay in the refrigerator they go from fresh and crisp to old and wilty.

Why Is My Roasted Asparagus Stringy?

By looking at the asparagus you aren’t always able to tell if they will be stringy or not. However, one tip is if you cook skinny asparagus they will dry out too quickly and tend to be more stringy.

The medium or large asparagus is usually the best, having more flesh that cooks evenly.

How to Prevent Asparagus from Burning

Here are a few simple tricks to make sure that your oven-roasted asparagus does not burn. 

• Make sure that the temperature of the oven is not too hot. 400 degrees is the best temperature to roast them at.
• Make sure not to leave the asparagus in the oven too long. Usually, 10-12 minutes is the average time that they need to roast properly.
• By coating them first with some olive oil will help prevent them from sticking to the baking pan and in turn, keep them from burning.

Do You Eat the Tips of Asparagus?

When cooking asparagus in the oven, yes, you can eat the tips. The whole stalk is edible except for the bottom end which is tough and woody. Those you can break off before roasting them.

When you cook asparagus in the oven, the tips get a little crunchy, while the stalks stay tender but crisp. It’s a great combo and makes the best roasted asparagus!

Can You Eat Too Much Asparagus?

As a rule, eating a lot of asparagus is not a problem. They have many health benefits. However, sometimes you can eat too much. Here are a few reasons:

• If you have an allergy to onions, garlic, and chives you may be allergic to asparagus too. 
• Eating too much asparagus can give you the side effect of uncomfortable gas.
• Eating asparagus can make your urine smell.

Different Variations of Baked Asparagus

Our recipe for roasted asparagus is a simple but elegant way to make them. However, there are other things that you can add on top of them too that will also make them taste delicious.

• Lemon wedges or lemon zest
• Butter instead of olive oil or in addition to the olive oil.
• A drizzle of vinegar along with the oil, apple cider vinegar or balsamic
• Slivered almonds
• Grated parmesan or romano cheese
• Crushed red pepper flakes

What to Serve with Roasted Asparagus?

Just about anything goes with oven-roasted asparagus, and here are a few of our recipes to give you an idea:

• Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
• Instant Pot Pork Chops
• Baked Chicken Legs
• Baked Salmon
• Oven Roasted Turkey
• Baked Pork Tenderloin
• Roast Pork Loin
• Baked Chicken Thighs
• Prime Rib Roast
• Baked Ham

How to Make Ahead

If you have some time in the afternoon you can start prepping your asparagus to make things quicker when it’s time to cook them. 

Snap the ends off the asparagus stalks and lay them out on a baking tray, coat them with the oil and spices. That way since they are all put together, you only need to put them in the oven and you will be a few minutes closer to eating dinner!!

How to Store

Like most leftovers, the best way to store them is in the refrigerator in an airtight plastic container. The leftover roasted asparagus will keep fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

What to Do with Leftovers?

• Leftover oven-baked asparagus can be used on top of your tossed green salad.
• They can also be tossed into creamy pasta/sausage. 
• Especially if they are not overcooked, they can be added to any kind of cheesy casserole.

How to Reheat Baked Asparagus

In the Oven: Lay the leftover asparagus stalks in a single layer on a baking sheet and heat for 5 minutes at 350 degrees. 

In the Broiler: Lay the leftover stalks on a baking sheet and broil for 3-4 minutes, but don’t put them too close to the heat or they will burn on the outside before they heat on the inside.

In the Microwave: Put the stalks on a plate and cover with a paper towel and heat for 30-60 seconds, depending on how many are on the plate.

Can You Freeze Roasted Asparagus?

There seem to be conflicting ideas on whether or not you can freeze roasted asparagus. 

I think it’s worth a try, just stick it in an airtight plastic container. Freeze them for a short time period, like 2-3 months.

When it comes time to take them out of the freezer, the texture will not be exactly like they were when you first made them, but they are doable for eating.

Is Roasting Asparagus Healthy?

At one time I needed to learn how to bake asparagus in the oven, but once I did it’s the only way now that I make them.

Roasting asparagus is a very healthy way to cook them because since they are not cooked to death and mushy, the vitamins and nutrients are still very much alive in them.

Is Roasting Asparagus Good for Losing Weight?

Asparagus is low in fat and calories, only 32 calories in one cup, and it contains a lot of fiber. Your body digests fiber slowly which will keep you feeling fuller longer and as a result, eat less. 

Eating a boiled egg with some asparagus and it is a perfect combo for losing weight. Learning how to cook asparagus the right way will make you a fan forever!

Steamed Asparagus vs. Roasted Asparagus

Just like with almost any other vegetable, roasting them is always better than steaming. It gives the asparagus a better flavor than if you steam them.

Diets This Recipe is Good For

• Low carb and Sugar-Free – These veggies are made without sugar, and no unhealthy carbs either.
• Vegetarian – One of the veggies that are great when your main staple is vegetables.
• Vegan – A good recipe because there are no meat or dairy ingredients.
• Paleo – Vegetables are great for a paleo diet.
• Gluten-free – Nothing with gluten in these asparagus.
• Nut-free – There are no nuts in this recipe.
• Dairy-free – The main recipe for these oven-roasted asparagus is not made with any dairy, even though if you can eat cheese then it can be added.

Tools to Use

With this basic roasted asparagus recipe, there are not many tools needed. 

• Baking sheet– for cooking them 
• Tongs – for removing them from the tray
• Parchment Paper – If you choose to, line the baking pan before baking the asparagus.

More Roasted Vegetable Recipes

If you’re in the mood for some other roasted vegetables then try our:

• Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
• Roasted Cauliflower
• Roasted Broccoli
• Roasted Green Beans 
• Roasted Zucchini
• Roasted Spaghetti Squash
• Roasted Butternut Squash

All of them are easy to make and will have your friends and family raving!

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