How to Roast Asparagus

This crispy roasted asparagus is so delicious – it makes for the most perfect green veggie side!

When is the best time of the year to buy fresh Asparagus?

Though many grocery stores carry it year round, asparagus is at its peak during the springtime, so if you’re looking to snag it at its best, that’s the time to do it! 

Can frozen asparagus be used for roasting?

Sure! This recipe is written for fresh asparagus, but if all you have is frozen, that’ll work too. Follow the recipe as written, but know that you may need to add a few extra minutes to the total cooking time.

What is the difference between Roasted Asparagus and Baked Asparagus?

“Roasted” typically refers to a higher cooking temperature (375°F in this case) and results in a slightly browned, crispy end product. Baking, on the other hand, involves a lower cooking temperature, meaning that it doesn’t always reach that “crispy” end texture. To be quite honest, most of the veggies on our website are labeled “roasted” vs. “baked” (regardless of cooking temperature) — the two are really similar!

Oven Roasted Asparagus Ingredients

Three super simple ingredients are all you need for this yummy roasted veggie recipe! 

• Asparagus – to start, you’ll need 2 bunches of asparagus.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil – 2 tablespoons of EVOO coats the asparagus to help it crisp up nicely.
• Sea Salt – a ½ teaspoon of sea salt gets sprinkled onto the asparagus just before it heads into the oven!

Ingredient Modifications

Though this recipe includes just three really simple ingredients, there are definitely ways to modify it if you’d like:

• Change the seasoning: if you want to add some more flavor to the asparagus, feel free to use more than just salt! Ground pepper (or any seasoning blend you love) would work great here. Lemon pepper seasoning would be delicious!
• Drizzle with a sauce: to really jazz your asparagus up, drizzle lemon cardamom sauce, ranch, jalapeno ranch, or even a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the finished product.

How to season asparagus?

This super simple recipe calls for sea salt as the only seasoning on the asparagus — roasted, slightly crispy asparagus is so delicious as is, so it really doesn’t need much in the way of flavor! If you’d prefer a more seasoned roasted asparagus, though, feel free to use ANY seasoning blend you love. Lemon pepper would be really yummy!

Should I season my asparagus before or after roasting?

You’ll season your asparagus after it’s coated with olive oil and before it goes into the oven.

How to Cut Asparagus

Before you coat the asparagus with olive oil, you’ll want to either chop or break off the rough, woody ends. While many people break the ends off one by one, we actually recommend chopping them off all at once. Most store-bought bunches of fresh asparagus come with two rubber bands bundling the asparagus together — for a quick, easy way to chop the ends off, leave both rubber bands on and cut the entire bundle just above the bottom rubber band (about two inches from the base). 

Supplies Needed for This Recipe

• Sheet Pan

How to Roast Asparagus in the Oven

As with most roasted veggies, the process could not be simpler! Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Toss with EVOO and sprinkle with sea salt – toss the asparagus with extra-virgin olive oil, then spread them out into 1 layer on a rimmed baking sheet (we’ve found that orienting the tips of the asparagus in toward the middle of the pan keeps them from burning!) Sprinkle the EVOO-coated asparagus with sea salt.
3. Roast – place the sheet pan in the oven to roast the asparagus for 30 minutes.
4. Serve and enjoy!

What is the ideal temperature for roasting asparagus?

This recipe calls for roasting your asparagus at 375°F. This allows the asparagus to get nice and soft on the inside and just slightly crispy on the outside — my personal favorite!

How Long to Roast Asparagus

For asparagus, as pictured here, you’ll roast for about 30 minutes in a 375°F oven. For a crispier finish, leave the asparagus in the oven for an extra 10 minutes (so 40 minutes total).

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Roasted Asparagus in the Oven

Below, you’ll find Cassy’s very best tips and tricks for roasted asparagus:

• To snap the rough ends off: if you’re in a hurry, chop the rough/woody ends off of the asparagus bundle instead of breaking them off one by one. Bundles usually come with a rubber band on the bottom (about 2 inches from the base) — chop the asparagus bundle above the rubber band!
• Orient the tips facing in: orient the tips facing the inside of the rimmed baking sheet to keep them from burning!
• Crisp to your liking: if you prefer a crispier finish than what’s pictured, leave the asparagus in the oven for an extra 10 minutes.

How to Roast Asparagus (Alternatives to the Oven)

Though this recipe is for the oven, you can absolutely choose to cook your asparagus in a skillet on the stovetop or in the air fryer. Here are instructions for pan-seared asparagus. If you prefer to go the air fryer route, I’d recommend cooking the asparagus at 400°F for 7-10 minutes (depending on how thick your asparagus is), shaking halfway through!

What to serve with roast asparagus?

Roasted asparagus can go with SO MUCH! Have it alongside a simple protein (think: lemon pepper grilled chicken, seared ahi tuna steak, or filet mignon with herb butter) and a starchy side (simply cooked rice, quinoa, or creamy mashed potatoes!).

Can I store leftover roasted asparagus? If so, what’s the best method to reheat?

Sure! Store any leftover asparagus you have in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat either in the microwave, in a skillet on the stovetop, or on a sheet pan in the oven!