How Long To Bake Asparagus? (With Video & Recipe)

Do you know how long does it take to bake asparagus? Well, you are at the perfect place to find the answer to such a question.

During late Spring, there’s plenty to be thankful for, late nights, warm breezes, and, of course, asparagus, which is at its peak. Asparagus can be cooked using various methods; however, the tastiest process is to bake them. But how long should you bake asparagus?

To get the best results when baking asparagus, you should begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F, then prepare your asparagus by cutting off the thick ends and coating them in a small amount of olive oil before seasoning with salt and pepper. Following this, they should be placed in the oven for 10 minutes.

🍜🔪 CLICK HERE TO SEE MY BEST KITCHEN TOOLS & APPLIANCES ⏲️🥘

Table of Contents

How To Bake Asparagus

Asparagus is one of those vegetables that can accompany almost any meat or fish dish and always brings a fresh and delightful taste to your plate. These point spears are known for their earthy and fresh taste, much like broccoli.

During the springtime, asparagus is readily available in high quality across the United States and is grilled, steamed, and fried. Still, the best way to cook asparagus is by baking it. If baked correctly, this results in delightfully crispy spears full of flavor.

When it comes to perfectly baking your asparagus, there are a few things to keep in mind to increase your chances of the best bake.

How To Perfectly Bake Your Asparagus

While you certainly eat asparagus raw due to its tough texture, most people who eat these green spears often prefer cooking.

Baking is one of the most popular methods, as you can infuse it with plenty of spices and the results are generally very enjoyable.

The first thing you want to do when baking your asparagus is to preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and give this an adequate amount of time to heat up.

Following this, you’ll want to take your asparagus and cut or break off the tough ends, and if they are pretty thick, you can also peel them.

Next, place your asparagus on a medium to a large baking sheet and coat them with your desired amount of olive oil, just enough to ensure a thin layer on all the spears is generally the best.

Then spread your asparagus out, providing a gap between each before you season them with salt and pepper.

Once your asparagus is ready to be placed in your preheated oven, you’ll want to leave it there for at least ten minutes to ensure it cooks through.

Sometimes it may take between 12 and 15 minutes, as this will avoid mushy spears.

Ingredients To Add To Your Bake

Various additional herbs and spices can take your baked asparagus to the next level. Most people will almost always coat them in oil olive and season them with salt and pepper, but you can also add spices such as Italian seasoning, cumin, paprika, rosemary, and thyme.

Garlic is one of the most popular additions which can be added to your baked asparagus. Whether you peel and press your garlic before mixing it with your olive oil to coat the asparagus or place the bulb with its end cut off into the oven, garlic can add a distinct and deep flavor to your asparagus.

You may also decide to sprinkle your asparagus with lemon juice just as you take it out of the oven. This will give your baked asparagus a slight citrus flavor that pairs very well with the salt and pepper seasoning.

If you’re feeling over-ambitious, stir in a half cup of cooked bacon just before you serve the asparagus and top it off with a sprinkle of cheese, turning your baked asparagus side into a gourmet dish.

Tips & Reminders

There are a few things to consider when cooking asparagus, which will ensure that you don’t end up with mushy, overcooked spears. Baking your asparagus is typically easy; follow the steps below to ensure you cook them perfectly.

When baking your asparagus, you’ll want to check them as you approach the ten-minute mark to ensure that you don’t risk overbaking them.

You want to ensure that your asparagus is crispy, tender, and flavorsome, and while this can take more than ten minutes, keeping an eye on them will ensure you don’t ruin your dish.

If you overcook your asparagus through negligence, you’ll likely end up with spears that are mushy, soggy, and indeed not as delightful to eat as those which are baked to perfection.

So, keep an eye on them, as a few minutes can make all the difference.

On the other hand, undercooked asparagus can be as equally poor and disappointing as you’ll be left with green spears that are crunchy and tough to eat, often being more of a punishment than a delight.

So, when baking your asparagus, remember to keep a close eye on them and ensure that your oven has had plenty of time to reach the 400 degrees F temperature before you place them in to cook.

How To Serve Your Baked Asparagus

Baked asparagus is one of the most favorable ways to enjoy this springtime vegetable, and because you can add your own twist, choosing from a variety of spices and condiments, each bake can be unique in its own way.

When serving your asparagus, it is tasty enough just to serve it on its own. However, various methods and accompanying dishes pair well with it, such as pasta, steak, fish or chicken dishes, salads, and even sandwiches.

We have chosen three of the most popular asparagus dishes and listed them below to serve your springtime spears in ways that will impress your family and guests who have arrived at your home for lunch and dinner.

White Bean & Asparagus Salad

The white bean and asparagus salad is an excellent way to serve your freshly baked green spears. Simple in nature, it requires following the process of baking your asparagus before adding it to a salad of white beans and lettuce.

A drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper is optional.

Braised Halibut With Asparagus and Baby Potatoes

Another exciting way to serve your baked asparagus is on the side of braised halibut and baby potatoes; this dish is perfect for family dinners, as well as guests and dinner pirates, and the asparagus work perfectly with the fish and potatoes.

Grilled Asparagus & Caper Salsa

If you’re planning a tapas or starter for guests who need something to dip crackers and slices of a baguette into, then a baked asparagus and caper salsa will entertain them all evening.

Nutritional Facts Of Baked Asparagus

Asparagus is known for being a dense vegetable packed with a horde of nutrients that benefit everyone. Firstly, it’s low in calories and has various nutrients such as folate, fiber, and vitamins such as A, C, and K.

Asparagus has an excellent amount of insoluble fiber, which adds bulk to your stool, supporting healthy bowel movements. One cup of asparagus will have around 15% of your daily fiber requirements.

As well as insoluble fiber, asparagus contains soluble fiber, which easily dissolves in water. This feeds healthy bacteria in the cut and can increase their production, thus; strengthening the immune system and producing vitamin K and b12.

On top of this, asparagus is known for its numerous health benefits and can help aid you in weight loss, improve your digestion, lower your blood pressure, and even has various benefits for pregnant mothers ensuring a healthy pregnancy.

Thus, if you’ve been thinking about adding asparagus to your diet, or you’re curious as to what health benefits you can gain from enjoying baked asparagus, now you know it’s a great source of dietary fiber.

On top of this, it promotes digestive health, can reduce your risk of heart disease, and reduces high blood pressure and the risk of diabetes.

Asparagus Recipe FAQs

Do All Varieties Of Asparagus Have The Same Bake Time?

There are over 20 varieties of asparagus which are available for human consumption, and there are even more which can be toxic if eaten.

Depending on the variety of asparagus, this may affect your overall bake time.

Some larger varieties of asparagus will need to be peeled and may require an extra few minute in the oven, whereas the smaller varieties will typically reach that crispy and tender texture quicker.

Will Baking Asparagus At Lower Temperature Make Them Crispier?

If you’re really after that crispy baked asparagus texture, you can try cooking them for a slightly longer period of time at a lower temperature.

Trying 350-375 degrees F for around 15 minutes may get you the crispy texture your looking for.

Do I Need To Chop Off Ends Of Asparagus Before Baking?

Asparagus spears have two ends; the tip is tender and soft, whereas the ends are wood-like and hard.

Almost everyone who bakes asparagus will generally recommend cutting off the bottom ends before baking as they typically don’t taste very nice when cooked.

How to Make Roasted Asparagus >> Check out the video below:

Conclusion

So, now you know everything about baking asparagus, are you ready to try out some new recipes for yourself?

Just remember, a temperature of 400 degrees F accompanied by olive oil and seasoning is enough to ensure you have perfectly baked asparagus stalks.

References

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/214931/oven-roasted-asparagus/