# Asparagus cooking times

How long to cook asparagus: **3–5 min boiled, 4–6 min steamed, 10–15 min in the oven at 200°C (180°C fan) and 6–8 min in an air fryer at 200°C**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/asparagus-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook asparagus

Times are for a bunch of 250 g (about 16 medium spears).

Asparagus: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) | 3–5 min | in boiling salted water | Drain and serve straight away, or cool in iced water. |
| [Steam](https://feastflow.co.uk/steaming-times) | 4–6 min | over simmering water | Lay the spears flat in the basket. |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) | 10–15 min | 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6 | Toss in a little oil and salt and spread out on a tray. |
| [Air fryer](https://feastflow.co.uk/air-fryer-cooking-times) | 6–8 min | 200°C (400°F) | Toss in a teaspoon of oil; shake halfway. |
| [Pan-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/pan-frying-times) | 4–6 min | over a medium-high heat | Fry in a little oil or butter, turning often. |
| [Grill](https://feastflow.co.uk/grilling-times) | 5–7 min | under a hot grill | Brush with oil and turn once. |
| [Barbecue](https://feastflow.co.uk/bbq-cooking-times) | 4–6 min | over direct heat | Lay across the bars, or thread onto skewers, and turn often. |
| [Microwave](https://feastflow.co.uk/microwave-cooking-times) | 2–4 min | on full power, covered | With 2 tablespoons of water. |

## Before you start

Snap or cut off the woody ends. Thick spears cook a minute or two slower than thin ones.

## How to tell it’s done

Bright green and just tender: a knife goes into the thickest part with a little resistance.

## Questions

### How long to boil asparagus?

3–5 min in boiling salted water. Drain and serve straight away, or cool in iced water.

### How long to steam asparagus?

4–6 min over simmering water. Lay the spears flat in the basket.

### How long to cook asparagus in the oven?

10–15 min at 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6. Toss in a little oil and salt and spread out on a tray.

### How long to cook asparagus in an air fryer?

6–8 min at 200°C (400°F). Toss in a teaspoon of oil; shake halfway.

### How long to pan-fry asparagus?

4–6 min over a medium-high heat. Fry in a little oil or butter, turning often.

### How long to grill asparagus?

5–7 min under a hot grill. Brush with oil and turn once.

### How long to barbecue asparagus?

4–6 min over direct heat. Lay across the bars, or thread onto skewers, and turn often.

### How long to microwave asparagus?

2–4 min on full power, covered. With 2 tablespoons of water.

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Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/