Is the GRE Analytical Writing optional?

You can skip through the essay section without entering a response, which will earn you a score of 0. But you can't opt out of the section entirely — it's a mandatory part of the test.

Since that score of 0 will be reported with the rest of your scores, if you're applying (or may apply) to any programs that take the AWA into account, you really don't want to do that. You should at least make an effort to answer the prompt, even if essay prep is a lower priority for you, because some programs do view a particularly low score as a red flag.