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Air fryer green beans are a satisfying way to enjoy fresh green beans in minutes as a side or snack. Air fried green beans are deliciously tender-crisp and impressively nutritious.
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Why you'll love air fried green beans
My air fryer green beans are the perfect blend of convenience and taste. Whether you're looking for a nutritious snack or a quick side dish, these offer a tender-crispy texture that even your kiddos will adore. Much like my sauteed garlic green beans, these cook quickly, require very little preparation and are mostly hands-free. I find these to be a nice alternative to french fries when I need a satisfying yet nutritious snack. When it comes to unique ways to enjoy green beans, you just can't beat this air fryer method!
What you’ll need to air fry green beans
- Fresh Green Beans - The star of the dish, fresh and crunchy, perfect for a quick cook.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Oil Spray - Ensures your green beans get that golden, crispy texture.
- Granulated Garlic - Adds a subtle, aromatic flavor that complements the green beans beautifully.
- Salt and Pepper - Simple seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of your green beans.
- (Optional) Lemon Wedges - Adds a fresh, zesty finish to brighten the dish.
How to cook fresh green beans in the air fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 370°F.
- Toss green beans with olive oil and garlic.
- Spread beans in the air fryer basket. Avoiding overcrowding.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes or until crisp to your liking, shaking halfway through.
- Season with salt and pepper, garnish if desired. Serve warm.
Recipe Tips
- Trimming green beans is completely optional—keep them whole for a fun, fry-like experience.
- Ensure that the beans are dried thoroughly after washing because moisture turns into steam, which prevents them from getting crispy.
- Go light on the oil; a little goes a long way toward achieving perfect crispiness.
- Don't crowd the basket to allow hot air to circulate freely, ensuring even cooking.
- Air fryer temperatures can vary, so adjust cooking times as needed to achieve the perfect doneness.
Recipe variations
- Feel free to use any style of green beans in this recipe.
- For a flavor twist, toss the beans with a bit of Cajun seasoning or Italian seasoning before frying.
- Try sprinkling Parmesan cheese over your freshly air fried green beans just before serving for a cheesy, savory finish.
Serving and leftovers
Air fryer green beans are light and nutritious, making them the perfect pairing for chicken, steak bites, air fryer sausage, air fryer chicken thighs, and seafood entrees. To store, refrigerate for up to five days in an airtight container. Use leftover air fried green beans in a veggie stir fry or vegetable lo mein.
Air fryer vegetables you'll love
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Green Beans
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Ingredients
- ½ pound Fresh Green Beans, rinsed and thoroughly dried
- 2 teaspoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil, or oil spray
- ¼ teaspoon Granulated Garlic
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
Optional garnish
- Lemon Wedges
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 370°F.
- Toss GREEN BEANS with OLIVE OIL and GARLIC to lightly coat.
- Place them in the air fryer basket or tray. Don’t overcrowd them.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure a uniform, tender-crisp texture.
- Add SALT and PEPPER to taste. Garnish and serve warm.
- To store, cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to five days.
Equipment
- 5.8 quart basket air fryer (Cosori XL) or other model
Recipe Notes
- Trimming green beans is completely optional—keep them whole for a fun, fry-like experience.
- Ensure that the beans are dried thoroughly after washing because moisture turns into steam, which prevents them from getting crispy.
- Go light on the oil; a little goes a long way toward achieving perfect crispiness.
- Don't crowd the basket to allow hot air to circulate freely, ensuring even cooking.
- Air fryer temperatures can vary, so adjust cooking times as needed to achieve the perfect doneness.
Nutrition
Which air fryer is best for green beans?
When it comes to cooking green beans in the air fryer, I always recommend any model with enough space to spread out the veggies for even cooking. My 5.8-quart Cosori XL is a great option for its capacity and easy operation. I get perfect results every time. It's truly ideal if you're new to air frying or if you're looking to get more mileage from the one you already have.
Frequently asked questions
The most common green beans, such as French green beans and classic string beans, are suitable for this recipe.
It's up to you. Whole green beans make great finger foods, similar to french fries.
While possible, using a bit of oil prevents the beans from drying out and helps achieve a crisp, browned exterior.
Justine says
I swear, the air fryer is the best way to cook veggies. These green beans were perfectly cooked - they still had a bit of snap to them, and were so flavorful - super quick, too!
Traci says
Couldn't agree more! I'm so here for the snap and those crispy edges. Thanks for the feedback. Enjoy!
Paula says
so excited to be able to make green beans in the air fryer. These were epic!
Traci says
Yes!! Being able to air fry green beans truly is game changer. We've never eaten so many LOL. Thank you for the feedback. Enjoy!
DK says
Green beans are my daughter's favorite vegetable! I'm always looking for new ways to prepare it. This post was excellent for teaching me how to do it in the air fryer!
Traci says
Yayyy! I'm so glad you're enjoying the recipe. Thanks for the feedback!
Jeff says
I've been finding that everything tastes better when it's made in an air fryer. These green beans are a perfect example. Just the right amount of snap.
Traci says
Yessss! Couldn't agree more! I'm so glad you're enjoying the recipe. Thanks!
Kristine says
Amazing! We loved these green beans. Quick, easy, and came out great!
Traci says
Yayy!! So glad you went for it and enjoyed!! Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated!
Carol B. says
We have an abundance of green beans in our garden this year, so I've been looking for more ways to make them. I found your recipe, and they looked amazing, so I decided to try them in my air fryer. It blew our minds! Now we're hooked on your green beans!
jb says
You aren’t kidding about how satisfying these are. Crispy edges and tender middle. The air fryer makes the best green beans! Period.