Baked Asparagus Fries

Baked asparagus fries are coated in seasoned panko crumbs and Parmesan cheese, then baked until crispy.

I’ve made baked eggplant fries, avocado fries, zucchini sticks, and portobello fries, so I decided to try this quick, easy baked asparagus fries recipe I found on The Healthful Ideas. These homemade baked asparagus fries were a bit messy to make, but they turned out surprisingly crispy and tasted great dipped in a lemon garlic aioli. My daughter and I finished the asparagus fries in minutes, and we both loved them.

Baked Asparagus Fries

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup panko crumbs
• ¼ cup parmesan, finely grated
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp paprika
• Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
• ½ cup flour
• 2 eggs, very well beaten
• 1 lb. asparagus spears, woody ends snapped off and discarded
• Olive oil cooking spray

How to Make Baked Asparagus Fries:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Side Note: Use the convection setting if possible.

Make a dredging station by combining the panko crumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper to taste in a shallow bowl (big enough to fit the length of the trimmed asparagus spears).

In another shallow bowl, combine the flour with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste; stir well.

In a third shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs until very well beaten.

Dredge the asparagus spears by dipping each spear (using a fork) first into the egg mixture, drip any excess egg off, next coat it in the flour, then back into the egg, making sure to drip any excess egg off again, and then lastly press the spear firmly (rather than rolling) into the panko parmesan mixture until evenly coated.

Place the coated asparagus spear on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat the process with the remaining spears, placing them a few inches apart on the tray so they get nice and crispy. Spray the spears with olive oil cooking spray.

Bake the asparagus fries for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.

Prepare the lemon garlic aioli by combining the mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon zest, and minced garlic in a small dish; mix until well combined.

Remove the baked asparagus fries from the oven and serve immediately with the lemon garlic aioli. Enjoy.