Significance In this work, we demonstrate that nanoparticles rapidly assemble on spores under physiologically and ecologically relevant conditions. We provide in vitro and in vivo evidence that nanoparticle coating of the clinically most relevant airborne fungal pathogen, Aspergillus fumigatus , can affect the pathobiological identity and fate of both fungal spores and nanoparticles. Our findings suggest that nanoparticle coating of bioaerosols may be relevant for ecology and human health.