Asparagus Fries with Parmesan + Panko ·

26 Aug 2024, 00:00

Asparagus Fries ~ Panko and Parmesan crusted asparagus spears that are breaded and baked until crispy and golden brown for an addictive, healthy side dish or snack! | FiveHeartHome.com via @fivehearthome

Asparagus Fries are Panko and Parmesan crusted asparagus spears that are breaded and baked until crispy and golden brown for an addictive, healthy side dish or snack!

I have to admit that I often get stuck in a rut when it comes to serving my family veggies. So it's nice to come up with a new recipe every so often that's a little bit different, easy to make, and downright delicious. Have you ever had Asparagus Fries? Each spear boasts a crunchy, golden coating and a tender interior. Everyone will love this flavorful, wonderfully textured side dish or snack that's actually oven-baked and healthy, despite tasting fried!

Ingredients

It takes just a handful of ingredients to make these simple, delectable Asparagus Fries:

Flour. All-purpose.
Eggs. Beaten.
Garlic salt + freshly ground black pepper. For seasoning.
Panko breadcrumbs. For a crunchy coating.
Parmesan cheese. Fresh and finely grated.
Asparagus. Medium-thickness spears are preferred for this recipe, so that the asparagus takes the same amount of time to get tender as the breading does to turn crunchy. If your asparagus is too thin, it will overcook and become mushy. If your asparagus is too thick, it won't adequately soften by the time the coating has browned.

How to Make Asparagus Fries

(The below photos are intended to be helpful, but please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for FULL DIRECTIONS.)

Making Asparagus Fries is as simple as coating asparagus spears in grated Parmesan and crispy Panko bread crumbs, arranging 'em on a rack, and then roasting in the oven at a high temperature. Let's break it down, shall we?

Preheat oven, line a sheet pan with aluminum foil, and place a wire rack on top.

Measure flour into a shallow dish. Season with garlic salt and black pepper and stir to combine.

In a second shallow dish, season some eggs with more garlic salt and black pepper and beat well.

In a third shallow dish, combine Panko crumbs and grated Parmesan.

Wash and dry asparagus and trim off the tough ends.

Working with a few pieces at a time, dredge in flour.

Coat with eggs.

Finally, roll in the Panko/Parmesan mixture until well coated.

Arrange asparagus on your wire rack-topped baking sheet so that there's a little bit of space between each piece.

Bake asparagus on the middle rack for 7 minutes. Move the baking sheet to the second-lowest rack and bake for a few more minutes, or until the Asparagus Fries are crispy and golden.

Serve immediately with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce!

Dipping Sauce Options

My kids enjoy dipping their Asparagus Fries in ketchup, à la regular French fries, because that's the way we roll around here.

However, I can think of lots of alternative dipping sauces -- from garlicky aïoli to lemony Hollandaise to creamy horseradish -- that would be yummy.

Or just enjoy these babies sans sauce! They're plenty flavorful perfectly plain and straight out of the oven.

Whether you're a fan of asparagus or about to become one thanks to this recipe (ha), these Parmesan Panko Asparagus Fries would be a perfect side dish to add to your rotation all spring and summer long.

I think these spears would be tasty alongside burgers, grilled grub, steak, baked chicken, pork chops...the sky's the limit!

Hope y'all love this new twist on asparagus. 🙂

More Asparagus Recipes