diff --git a/docs/content/3.api/1.composables/use-async-data.md b/docs/content/3.api/1.composables/use-async-data.md
index a1632812a07..de705641a25 100644
--- a/docs/content/3.api/1.composables/use-async-data.md
+++ b/docs/content/3.api/1.composables/use-async-data.md
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ type AsyncDataOptions<DataT> = {
   pick?: string[]
   watch?: WatchSource[]
   initialCache?: boolean
+  immediate?: boolean
 }
 
 type AsyncData<DataT> = {
@@ -45,6 +46,7 @@ type AsyncData<DataT> = {
   * _pick_: only pick specified keys in this array from the `handler` function result
   * _watch_: watch reactive sources to auto-refresh
   * _initialCache_: When set to `false`, will skip payload cache for initial fetch. (defaults to `true`)
+  * _immediate_: When set to `false`, will prevent the request from firing until the `refresh` function is called.
 
 Under the hood, `lazy: false` uses `<Suspense>` to block the loading of the route before the data has been fetched. Consider using `lazy: true` and implementing a loading state instead for a snappier user experience.
 
diff --git a/docs/content/3.api/1.composables/use-fetch.md b/docs/content/3.api/1.composables/use-fetch.md
index 258ae0af7af..5267c052cf7 100644
--- a/docs/content/3.api/1.composables/use-fetch.md
+++ b/docs/content/3.api/1.composables/use-fetch.md
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ type UseFetchOptions = {
   pick?: string[]
   watch?: WatchSource[]
   initialCache?: boolean
+  immediate?: boolean
 }
 
 type AsyncData<DataT> = {
@@ -52,6 +53,7 @@ type AsyncData<DataT> = {
   * `watch`: watch reactive sources to auto-refresh
   * `initialCache`: When set to `false`, will skip payload cache for initial fetch. (defaults to `true`)
   * `transform`: A function that can be used to alter `handler` function result after resolving.
+  * `immediate`: When set to `false`, will prevent the request from firing until the `refresh` function is called.
 
 ::alert{type=warning}
 If you provide a function or ref as the `url` parameter, or if you provide functions as arguments to the `options` parameter, then the `useFetch` call will not match other `useFetch` calls elsewhere in your codebase, even if the options seem to be identical. If you wish to force a match, you may provide your own key in `options`.
diff --git a/packages/nuxt/src/app/composables/asyncData.ts b/packages/nuxt/src/app/composables/asyncData.ts
index a644d78f977..92d7a7d1897 100644
--- a/packages/nuxt/src/app/composables/asyncData.ts
+++ b/packages/nuxt/src/app/composables/asyncData.ts
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ export interface AsyncDataOptions<
   pick?: PickKeys
   watch?: MultiWatchSources
   initialCache?: boolean
+  immediate?: boolean
 }
 
 export interface RefreshOptions {
@@ -95,6 +96,7 @@ export function useAsyncData<
   }
   options.lazy = options.lazy ?? (options as any).defer ?? false
   options.initialCache = options.initialCache ?? true
+  options.immediate = options.immediate ?? true
 
   // Setup nuxt instance payload
   const nuxt = useNuxtApp()
@@ -163,23 +165,29 @@ export function useAsyncData<
   const fetchOnServer = options.server !== false && nuxt.payload.serverRendered
 
   // Server side
-  if (process.server && fetchOnServer) {
+  if (process.server && fetchOnServer && options.immediate) {
     const promise = initialFetch()
     onServerPrefetch(() => promise)
   }
 
   // Client side
   if (process.client) {
-    if (fetchOnServer && nuxt.isHydrating && key in nuxt.payload.data) {
-      // 1. Hydration (server: true): no fetch
-      asyncData.pending.value = false
-    } else if (instance && nuxt.payload.serverRendered && (nuxt.isHydrating || options.lazy)) {
-      // 2. Initial load (server: false): fetch on mounted
-      // 3. Navigation (lazy: true): fetch on mounted
-      instance._nuxtOnBeforeMountCbs.push(initialFetch)
-    } else {
-      // 4. Navigation (lazy: false) - or plugin usage: await fetch
-      initialFetch()
+    if (options.immediate) {
+      if (fetchOnServer && nuxt.isHydrating && key in nuxt.payload.data) {
+        // 1. Hydration (server: true): no fetch
+        asyncData.pending.value = false
+      } else if (
+        instance &&
+        nuxt.payload.serverRendered &&
+        (nuxt.isHydrating || options.lazy)
+      ) {
+        // 2. Initial load (server: false): fetch on mounted
+        // 3. Navigation (lazy: true): fetch on mounted
+        instance._nuxtOnBeforeMountCbs.push(initialFetch)
+      } else {
+        // 4. Navigation (lazy: false) - or plugin usage: await fetch
+        initialFetch()
+      }
     }
     if (options.watch) {
       watch(options.watch, () => asyncData.refresh())