Asparagus is a spring vegetable that is readily available in every grocery store in the USA. Nowadays it is also easily available in India. In this recipe, fresh asparagus spears are coated in a mixture of parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs and baked until crispy and golden brown for an addictive, healthy, “asparagus fries”.The result is a flavorful, wonderfully textured side dish or snack that’s actually oven-baked and healthy, despite tasting fried. You may even air-fry them with very little oil.
Preparation Time: 10mins ∏ Cooking Time: 15mins ∏ Servings:2 persons
Level: Beginners (Easy) ∏ Measurement: 1 Cup ≡ 250 ml ≡ 250gm
Ingredients:
- 350 gm asparagus (of medium thickness)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated or powder)
- 3/4 cup bread crumbs
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon chilly flakes
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
How to make Crispy Baked Asparagus:
Step1: First remove woody ends of the asparagus, grab a stalk of asparagus at the end and bend until it snaps. It will naturally snap where it starts to get tough. My kid loved doing that, baking with an engaging toddler, and having fun is the perfect combination.
Step2: Then blanch them in boiling water for just 2mins and then transfer them in cold water. Let it sit for 2mins then strain all the water.
Step3: Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a pastry brush, brush about 1 tablespoon of the oil on the paper. Set aside.
Step4: Take breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and chilly flakes and mix them evenly.
Step5: Whisk 2eggs and add some salt and pepper.
Step6: Similarly mix all-purpose flour along with salt and black pepper.
Step7: Place 2-3 spears at a time into the flour and turn to coat on all sides. Lift a spear out of the flour and, holding it over the dish, and gently pat off any excess.
Step8: Next, place the spear into the egg mixture and turn to thoroughly coat.
Step9: Immediately place the eggy spear into the breadcrumb mixture and turn to coat completely on all sides, again patting it gently so the bread crumbs will stick and the tips are not broken. (Tip: Using different hands/spoon for wet and dry coating will make this task easy, otherwise all the breadcrumbs will stick to the wet coating in your hand or spoon)
Step10: Place on the prepared baking sheet, and repeat with the remaining asparagus spears, lining them up in a row, close together, but not quite touching. Spray the breaded asparagus spears with nonstick olive oil spray
Step11: Bake asparagus in the oven until crisp and crunchy, 12 to 14 minutes at 425degF. Remove the tray from the oven halfway through the cooking time and turn each asparagus spear over to ensure that it is evenly baked, nicely browned, and crunchy. Alternatively, you may air fry them at 400 deg F for 8-10mins or till they are nicely browned and crunchy.
Drizzle some lemon juice and serve warm with ranch sauce or your choice of dressing.
[…] Crispy Baked Asparagus – Fresh asparagus spears are coated in a mixture of parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs and baked until crispy… […]