Easy Roasted Asparagus (Perfect & Oil-Free)

Easy Roasted Asparagus is so simple to make and cooks up perfectly tender and crisp every time. 1 pan, 4 ingredients, and 12 minutes are all you need for this great springtime or summer side dish. Vegan, oil-free, and gluten-free.

Roasted asparagus is my favorite spring or summer side dish. It’s a great way to get in your greens, it’s crunchy, and is literally the “smell” of health. And, if you like cooking outside during this time of year you can fire up the grill.

This Easy Roasted Asparagus is delicious, easy, healthy, and requires hardly any prep. You just trim, drizzle, sprinkle with simple spices, and bake.

If you want to get fancy just drizzle a little lemon juice, balsamic, or top with a little vegan parmesan.

How To Trim Asparagus

First things first, get rid of the knife. You don’t need it! Simply hold the end of the asparagus with your thumb and forefinger and then bend until it breaks. The asparagus will automatically break at the point where the woody part and fresh part of the asparagus meet.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Roasted asparagus is so simple and used very simple ingredients I’m almost positive you have right now. Here’s what you’ll need…

• Asparagus: Use fresh asparagus, not frozen, and fatter spears. The bigger pieces won’t dry out as quickly when you’re roasting and are much less stringy.
• Low-Sodium Vegetable Broth: Toss the asparagus in the broth instead of oil. It adds flavor, eliminates unnecessary fat, and allows the seasonings to stick to the asparagus while it bakes.
• Seasoning: You don’t need to go overboard. A pinch of salt and pepper with a little garlic powder is more than enough.

How To Make Perfect Roasted Asparagus

Follow these easy steps and you can make perfect roasted asparagus every single time. All of the exact measurements and a detailed list are in the recipe card down below.

1. Preheat the oven to 425˚F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
2. Trim the asparagus and arrange it in a single layer on the baking sheet.
3. Coat the asparagus with the veggie broth then sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to lightly toss the pieces until they are evenly coated. Use more broth and seasonings as necessary.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the asparagus is slightly brown and can be pierced with a fork. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the asparagus. 

That’s it. All that’s left is to serve and enjoy.

How To Store Leftovers

Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. 

You can eat it at room temperature, right out of the fridge, warm it up in a nonstick skillet on the stove, or pop it in the microwave for a few seconds.

Unfortunately, this is not freezer friendly. Frozen asparagus can get very mushy so I would not recommend this option…at all!

What Do I Serve With Oven Roasted Asparagus

This easy roasted asparagus recipe like this makes the perfect side dish for main dishes like…

• Blackened Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
• Brown Rice And Lentils
• Marinated Tofu
• Chickpea Vegan Meatloaf

Few things pair as well as potatoes and asparagus. Any one of these recipes would be perfect:

• Best Vegan Mashed Potatoes
• Oil-Free Oven Roasted Potatoes
• Vegan Scalloped Potatoes
• Microwaved Sweet Potato

How Long Should I Roast Asparagus In The Oven

Cooking time for asparagus can vary depending on oven temperature and the size of the asparagus. The sweet spot I’ve found for roasting asparagus perfectly without oil is 425˚F for 10-12 minutes.

Here are a few considerations of size and time:

• Thin stalks: 9 minutes
• Medium stalks: 12 minutes
• Large stalks: 14 minutes

You are going to love this easy oven roasted asparagus. It’s…

• Healthy
• Easy & Fast
• Green
• Crisp & Tender
• Oil-Free
• Gluten-Free
• SO Delicious!

Pro Tips For Easy Roasted Asparagus

• Trim: Be sure and break off the woody ends of the asparagus. Yes, they are “edible” but not very satisfying. They’re tough and stringy.
• Heat: High heat is important because we’re not using oil. The sweet spot seems to be 425˚F. It browns the asparagus perfectly while leaving it with a little crunch.
• Do Not Overseason: I’ve found you don’t more than a little garlic powder accompanied by a pinch of salt and pepper. You don’t want to lose the essence of the asparagus by using a ton of spices.

If you make this recipe let me know. Please leave a comment below with a star rating. Be sure and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #shaneandsimple.

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