This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

Make these panko-crusted baked asparagus fries as a healthy snack or side dish! Flavorful, crunchy, and so easy to make. Eat them as is or with a tasty garlic aioli sauce made vegan-style!

Baked Asparagus Fries

Asparagus is one of those veggies I used to hate as a child but LOVE as an adult. Along with almost every other veggie, except for tomatoes...in ketchup form. Which, according to a meme I saw on Facebook, is technically a tomato smoothie so. #health

Asparagus is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients like vitamins A & C, fiber, and folate. It's also a natural diuretic which is great if you tend to hold onto water.

If you are looking to add more asparagus to your diet, I totally recommend making baked asparagus fries. These ones are breaded with panko to make them extra crunchy. Panko is made with wheat, but if you eat a gluten-free diet - good news! You can find gluten-free panko, too. Ian's makes a gluten-free panko that is also free of many other common allergens.

Panko-crusted asparagus fresh out of the oven on a baking sheet.

Traditionally, the process of breading includes an egg dip to hold onto the breadcrumbs. However, aquafaba is a great substitute. Aquafaba is simply chickpea juice, which is the liquid you find in a can of chickpeas (AKA garbanzo beans). Whenever I use canned chickpeas, I save the aquafaba in a container in the fridge for about a week. It can also be used a mayo-substitute in chickpea salad sandwiches and as a binder in meatballs.

For this recipe, we are simply coating the asparagus spears in aquafaba and then rolling them in a panko + seasoning mixture. Pop the breaded asparagus in the oven until golden brown and tender and BAM. Healthy side dish or snack at the ready.

A small dish of garlic aioli sauce placed on a wooden board next to a few asparagus fries.

Spicy Garlic Vegan Aioli

If you want to indulge a little, I whipped up a quick spicy garlic aioli sauce that goes so well with the asparagus fries. The recipe calls for vegan mayo, which is oil-based. You can also try making the aioli with a healthier low-fat mayo made from beans. Creamy aioli + the crunchy baked asparagus is just pure heaven in your mouth.

A single asparagus fry breaded in panko, dipped in a garlic aioli sauce, being held up.

Did you make this recipe? Snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @karissasvegankitchen!

Recipe

Crispy Baked Asparagus Fries

Karissa Besaw

These healthy asparagus fries are coated in panko to make them super crispy and crunchy. There is also an optional recipe for spicy vegan garlic aioli sauce to dip your asparagus in!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

Baked Asparagus Fries

1 lb fresh asparagus
1 cup panko bread crumbs
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼-1/2 teaspoon salt
⅓ cup aquafaba*

Spicy Garlic Aioli Dipping Sauce

½ cup vegan mayo
2 cloves of garlic crushed or minced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

Baked Asparagus Fries

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees F.
Trim off the tough ends of the asparagus.
In a shallow dish, mix together the panko, garlic powder, and salt. Pour the aquafaba into another dish.
Coat each spear of asparagus in the aquafaba, then in the panko mixture.
Place into a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Bake for 7-10 minutes (until the panko is browned and the asparagus is tender.)

Spicy Garlic Aioli Dipping Sauce

If you want a super tasty dipping sauce to go along with your asparagus fries, simply mix all of the sauce ingredients together. Add more cayenne if you love things super spicy.

Video

Notes

*Aquafaba is the liquid in a can of chickpeas. It works great as an egg substitute in many vegan recipes.

Did you try this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Crispy Baked Asparagus Fries with a Spicy Garlic Aioli Sauce