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Oven · 400°F

How Long to Cook Asparagus Spears in the Oven at 400°F

Asparagus Spears in the oven at 400°F takes 12–18 minutes. Pull at 0°F internal. Full chart and calculator below.

Fast Answer
1218
min

Asparagus Spears in the Oven at 400°F204°C. Done when fork-tender.

Definitive Answer

How long to cook asparagus spears in the oven at 400°F

Food
Asparagus
Cut
Asparagus Spears
Appliance
Oven
Temperature
400°F204°C
Cook time
12–18 minutes
Source
No USDA safety minimum (vegetable)

Answer: Asparagus Spears in the oven at 400°F204°C takes 12–18 minutes.

Asparagus Spears Oven Calculator

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Temperature
Starting state
Thickness
1.002.5 cm
½″1″1½″2″1.3 cm2.5 cm3.8 cm5 cm
Estimated cook time
1218
min
Done when fork-tender.
15:00

Estimates only. Asparagus Spears cook time varies with appliance, starting temperature, and shape. Always verify with an instant-read thermometer.

Doneness Target

No USDA safety minimum for vegetables. Done when fork-tender with bright color.

Vegetables have no required safe internal temperature. Done means tender-crisp — a knife should slide through the thickest part with no resistance.

Source: No USDA safety minimum (vegetable)

Asparagus Spears Oven Cook Time Chart

TempStateTime
400°F204°Crefrigerated12–18 min

How to Cook Asparagus Spears in the Oven

  1. 1Preheat your oven to 400°F204°C.
  2. 2Cook for 12–18 minutes.
  3. 3Verify a knife slides through with no resistance.
  4. 4Serve immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does asparagus take in the air fryer?

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Asparagus takes 6–10 minutes at 400°F in the air fryer depending on spear thickness. Pencil-thin spears 6 minutes, medium 8, thick 10.

What temperature do you roast asparagus at?

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Roast asparagus at 425°F for 10–15 minutes. Toss with oil and salt, spread in a single layer, and no flipping is needed.

How do I know asparagus is done?

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A knife should slide through the thickest part of the stem with no resistance. The color deepens to a vivid green with caramelized tips when roasted or grilled.

Should I peel asparagus before cooking?

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Only very thick spears benefit from peeling the lower third. Pencil-thin and medium spears do not need peeling — just snap off the woody bottom inch.

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