Crispy Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
Equipment
- Plate
Ingredients
- 18 thick asparagus spears woody ends trimmed
- 85 g prosciutto sliced lengthwise into 18 strips
Instructions
- Spiral-wrap one strip of prosciutto around each asparagus spear, starting at the bottom and stopping before the tip.
- Preheat the air fryer to 200°C for 3 minutes.
- Arrange the wrapped asparagus in the ungreased air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 6 minutes.
- Shake the basket to turn and redistribute the asparagus.
- Cook for another 6 minutes, until the asparagus is tender and the prosciutto is crisp.
- Transfer to a plate and serve warm.
Notes & Wine Advice
Serving Suggestions
Serve the asparagus warm as an Appetizer, Amuse or Side Dish. It pairs particularly well with chicken, fish or a larger selection of Vegetables.Recipe Notes
Use thick asparagus spears so they remain tender but firm while the prosciutto becomes crisp. There is no need to add salt because the prosciutto already provides plenty of seasoning. Leave the asparagus tips uncovered when wrapping for an attractive presentation.Variations
A squeeze of fresh lemon can be added immediately before serving for extra freshness. Freshly ground black pepper also works well, but additional salt is generally unnecessary. For the crispiest result, avoid overcrowding the Airfryer basket.Storage Advice
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat briefly in the air fryer until thoroughly hot and the prosciutto has become crisp again.Wine Advice
A fresh Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with the green flavour of asparagus and provides a crisp contrast to the salty prosciutto. A dry Pinot Grigio is another suitable choice, particularly with the Italian character of the dish.Nutrition values
————————————————————————————————–
About Crispy Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
Crispy Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus combines fresh asparagus with thin slices of Italian prosciutto to create a remarkably simple Appetizer or side dish. The asparagus becomes tender in the Airfryer, while the prosciutto tightens around each spear and develops crisp edges.
A Simple Two-Ingredient Recipe
The recipe requires only asparagus and prosciutto. Because prosciutto is naturally salty and intensely savoury, there is no need for additional salt, oil or complicated seasoning.
This simplicity also allows the flavour of the asparagus to remain prominent. The fresh vegetable flavour balances the richness and saltiness of the cured Pork.
Choosing the Asparagus
Thick asparagus spears work particularly well for this recipe. Very thin asparagus can become overly soft before the prosciutto has enough time to become crisp.
Trim away the woody ends before wrapping. The tender upper portion of each spear should remain intact, including the tip, which is deliberately left uncovered by the prosciutto.
Wrapping with Prosciutto
Slice the prosciutto lengthwise to create 18 strips, one for each asparagus spear. Starting near the bottom, wrap each strip around the asparagus in a spiral.
Stop wrapping before reaching the tip. This keeps some of the green asparagus visible and prevents the delicate tip from being completely enclosed by the cured meat.
Cooking in the Air Fryer
The wrapped asparagus cooks at 200°C for approximately 12 minutes in total. After the first 6 minutes, shake the basket so the spears change position and cook more evenly.
During cooking, the asparagus becomes tender while the prosciutto loses moisture and becomes crisp. No oil is required because the prosciutto contains enough fat to crisp naturally in the hot circulating air.
An Italian-Inspired Side Dish
Prosciutto gives the recipe a clear Italian character. The combination of cured ham and fresh vegetables is simple enough to accompany a wide variety of main courses.
Serve the spears alongside grilled or roasted chicken, fish or other Vegetables. They also work well as part of a Mediterranean-style meal.
Serving as an Appetizer
Because each asparagus spear forms an individual portion, the recipe is particularly convenient for serving as an Amuse or finger-food appetizer. Arrange the spears on a large platter and serve them while still warm.
The simple presentation also makes them suitable for a Party or other gathering where food needs to be easy to pick up without cutlery.
A Low-Carb Combination
Neither asparagus nor prosciutto contributes a large amount of carbohydrate, making this recipe suitable for the Low Carb category. There is no breadcrumb coating, pastry or added sugar in the original recipe.
When preparing the dish for specific dietary requirements, check the label of the prosciutto. Ingredients and processing methods can vary between brands, particularly where allergens or additives are a concern.
Preparing Ahead
The asparagus can be trimmed and wrapped in prosciutto several hours before cooking. Keep the prepared spears covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to air fry them.
Cooking them shortly before serving gives the best texture. The prosciutto is at its crispiest directly from the air fryer, while the asparagus remains warm and tender.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover cooked asparagus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The prosciutto will soften during storage, but a brief reheating in the air fryer can restore much of its crisp texture.
Arrange leftovers in a single layer when reheating and heat only until thoroughly hot. Excessive reheating can dry out both the prosciutto and asparagus.
Food Safety
Keep the prosciutto refrigerated until preparation and return any unused portion promptly to the refrigerator. Wash and trim the asparagus before wrapping. For current guidance about safe handling, preparation and refrigerated storage of foods, consult the U.S. Food and Drug Administration food-safety information.
Crispy Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus is a straightforward way to turn fresh Vegetables into a savoury appetizer or side dish. The salty, crisp prosciutto provides all the seasoning these tender asparagus spears need.