This Baked Asparagus is springtime veggie perfection. Topped with crispy bread crumbs and parmesan cheese and a must for your Easter table!
One of the absolute best things about Spring, aside from the slightly warmer weather and the blooming flowers is the spring vegetables. And my favorite spring vegetable is, hands down, Asparagus. There are so many different ways to prepare it. You can wrap it in bacon. Add it to Tuna Pasta Salad for a potluck must. You can even make Asparagus Fries. All of those options: grilling, boiling and frying are great ways to make asparagus but this Baked Asparagus is one of the easiest, and most delicious ways to serve it.
Roasting the asparagus allows it to retain a bit of its crispness and all of its flavor. In this recipe, it is also baked under a blanket of seasoned bread crumbs and parmesan.
It is an easy, gorgeous side dish that is a must for your spring suppers and Easter table.
What do you need for Baked Asparagus?
Roasting (or baking) asparagus really lets the asparagus flavor shine so you don’t want to do too much to take away from that. You’ll only need a handful of ingredients to get this side dish on the table:
- ASPARAGUS: When you’re picking asparagus, make sure the tips are bright green or violet tinged. The spear should also be firm not limp. Size doesn’t particularly matter. We prefer the medium sized asparagus that is neither too thin nor too thick.
- OLIVE OIL: You will use the olive oil for two separate parts of this recipe. Once to coat the asparagus and the other to add to the bread crumbs. Adding it to the bread crumbs will help them brown while cooking.
- SALT AND PEPPER: To season the asparagus.
- PLAIN AND PANKO BREAD CRUMBS: The plain breadcrumbs add a bit more substance to the coating while the panko bread crumbs add crunch.
- GRANULATED GARLIC: You can also use garlic powder. If all you have is garlic salt you can use that too, just omit the additional salt in the recipe.
Step by Step Photos and Instructions:
This baked asparagus is really easy to make, follow along with these step by step photos and instructions showing you how.
Snap off woody ends of asparagus. 
Toss both breadcrumbs with olive oil, garlic and parmesan. 
Toss asparagus with olive oil, salt and pepper. Place on baking sheet and top with breadcrumb mixture. 
Bake at 450 for 8 – 10 minutes or until breadcrumbs are golden brown.
STEP #1: Trim the ends off the asparagus. You can do this by bending the asparagus near the thick end until it snaps. This snaps off the woody end.
STEP #2: Make the breadcrumb mixture by combining the plain breadcrumbs, panko bread crumbs, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, granulated garlic and parmesan cheese. Mix well until breadcrumbs are coated in the oil.
STEP #3: Toss asparagus with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and top with bread crumbs. Bake at 450 for 8 – 10 minutes or until breadcrumbs have browned and asparagus is tender.
Storage and Leftovers:
This baked asparagus is best served as soon is it is made. Reheating runs the risk of overcooking the asparagus and burning the breadcrumbs.
Recipe FAQ:
While you can eat the whole asparagus stalk, the thickest part of the bottom tends to be very tough and chewy. To know where to trim the asparagus, simply bend the asparagus near the end until it snaps. This will snap off the woody end.
Sometimes if you’re preparing multiple things in your oven, it’s hard to coordinate baking times and temperatures! Luckily this asparagus will turn out great at most common baking temperatures. Here’s a guide to cooking times:
Baked Asparagus at 350: cook for 25 – 30 minutes.
Baked Asparagus at 400 degrees: cook for 15 – 20 minutes.
Baked Asparagus at 425 degrees: cook for 10 – 15 minutes
Baked Asparagus at 450 degrees: cook for 8 – 10 minutes
If you are a big fan of roasted vegetables, you’re going to want to try this Roasted Broccoli too!
If you are looking for a main dish to serve along side this baked asparagus, baked salmon with capers is one of my faves!
Note: This post was originally published in 2011. Updated in 2023 with new photos, nutrition information and a slightly modified recipe.
Servings
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds asparagus (trimmed)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided )
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoons plain breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Toss asparagus in 1 tablespoon olive oil, kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper. Place asparagus on baking sheet.
Combine remaining oil, plain breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, granulated garlic and Parmesan cheese in a bowl. Sprinkle over the top of asparagus.
Bake asparagus for 8 - 10 minutes. Remove from oven. Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle any breadcrumbs that have fallen onto the pan over the top. Serve immediately.
[…] Get the recipe at: Life’s Ambrosia […]
So happy to hear that you enjoyed it! That line for the foil should be removed, when I originally posted the recipe I used foil to make cleaning a bit easier but when I republished it, I found it wasn’t needed. :)
Excellent, Des. Thanks so much! Not sure about the use of aluminum foil. I didn’t use any but I did notice the line, “sprinkle any breadcrumbs that have fallen onto the foil over the top.
Looks delicious and so easy to make! !
The perfect side dish to any dinner recipe.
Asparagus is my all time favorite and I am so happy to try your recipe!
My husband and I love asparagus but our kids always put a fight. I think that’s going to change when they see this!
What a perfect way to add veggies to every meal! Looks delicious!
Oh wow — I am loving this asparagus recipe!
LOVE baked asparagus! I bet the addition of breadcrumbs is amazing!
That is wonderful to hear Daniel! So happy you loved it!!
I made this tonight and it was ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. Loved this recipe. Thank You,. Was going to do ,y normal Steam with Butter and Bread crumbs. This took it up on so many Levels. LOL LOVED IT!!!!.
You nailed this. Perfect timing and temp. Have a wonderful Easter dinner.