Air Fryer green beans are crispy outside with a tender middle, ready in 10 minutes (no blanching required!), and the perfect side dish. Plus, they are wonderfully diet-friendly: low-carb, keto, gluten-free, vegan, paleo, whole30, etc.!
For those who struggle to come up with quick and simple healthy side dishes, these 10-minute air-fried green beans should definitely make your rotation list! They require super minimal hands-on prep and are cooked in 5-7 minutes (based on your desired texture and crispiness). Plus, they are super versatile and adaptable, not only in terms of seasonings and toppings but also when serving!
Are Fried Green Beans Healthy
Not only do they taste great, but air fryer green beans are rich in dietary fiber and an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, K, and C, as well as iron, calcium, folate, and magnesium (at only around 30kcal per cup!). There’s also no need to blanch the beans either; just top and tail them, season, and air fry to crispy-tender perfection!
Cooking green beans in the air fryer means minimal clean-up and saves oven space (great for the holidays). And it creates stunning results in a fraction of the time!
I prepared my air fry green beans with a super simple salt and pepper seasoning, topped off with fresh lemon juice and a pinch of red pepper flakes or chili powder (my “basic go-to” green beans recipe).
But keep reading for tons of other seasoning options. These include garlicky flavor (with garlic powder), cheesy variations (did someone say parmesan cheese?), buttery, as well as breaded air fryer green bean fries!
Looking for other ways to enjoy green beans? Check my posts on how to boil green beans perfectly, sauteed green beans, roasted green beans, and top tips for freezing green beans.
Air Fryer Green Beans Recipe Ingredients
The basic green beans recipe requires just a few simple ingredients::
- Green beans: I used regular green beans (also called string beans/snap beans). However, French green beans (haricots verts) and purple string beans will also work for this green beans air fryer method. Look for beans with firm pods and bright green color. You can use frozen or fresh green beans in air fryer.
- Olive Oil: or another neutral cooking oil like avocado oil, coconut oil, etc. You could also use low-calorie cooking spray if preferred.
- Salt & Pepper: season to taste.
- To garnish: lemon slices (for lemon juice) and red pepper flakes (or thinly sliced fresh red chili pepper).
Check the Recipe Card Notes below for many seasoning options and recipe variations.
How to Air Fry Green Beans
First, prepare the green beans by washing them well and drying them with a kitchen towel. Then trim the ends (also called “topping and tailing” beans), and remove any tough strings.
The quickest way to trim the beans is to grab a handful of beans and line up all the ends. Then use a long, sharp knife to trim off all the tips in one go. Repeat with all the remaining green beans.
Air Fryer Temperature
If your air fryer requires pre-heating, do so now to 350ºF/180ºC.
Then, in a large bowl (or Ziplock bag), toss the beans with the oil and seasoning.
Then spread them across the bottom of your air fryer basket in a single layer, trying to avoid them overlapping too much (a little is fine).
How Long to Air Fry Green Beans
Air fry the green beans for 7-8 minutes, until slightly crisp outside with a tender middle. For slightly less tender air-fried green beans, cook the beans for just 5-6 minutes. For crispier results, increase the time by 1-2 minutes.
If you use a bigger batch and the beans are overlapping, make sure you are air frying green beans for longer. It will work out okay but the cooking time will be between 12-14 minutes. Also, it’s best to shake the basket 2-3 times, for even results.
The time will also vary based on the thickness/size of your beans (larger beans require 2-3 extra minutes). I’ve tried this method with and without shaking the basket halfway. Either way is OK for me, so I usually skip this step. However, if you want more even browning, feel free to do so.
Can You Cook Frozen Green Beans in an Air Fryer
For air fryer frozen green beans you can use the same temperature and method, but increase the cooking time to somewhere between 13-16 minutes (or slightly less/more depending on your desired texture).
Why Are My Green Beans Hard After Cooking
If your air fryer string beans are still hard after cooking, they are likely undercooked. Place them back in the Air Fryer and cook them for further 1-2 minutes. Cook them until they are tender to your liking. Shaking the basked 1-2 times during cooking can help to cook them more evenly as well.
How to Serve Air Fried Green Beans?
These airfryer green beans are a super versatile side dish that pairs well with most proteins and mains:
- Serve with salmon, cod, and other fish.
- Pairs well with chicken – like chicken kebab and roast chicken.
- Serve alongside stir-fried chicken, tofu, or tempeh.
- Alongside meaty or vegan meatloaf and meatballs.
- Stir into or serve alongside warm pasta dishes.
- As a side on the Thanksgiving table with other sides like creamy mashed potato and gravy.
- As a healthy side to burgers.
- With your favorite grain – brown rice, jasmine rice, vegetable pilaf, quinoa, couscous, etc.
You can also save the leftovers to add to salad bowls, potato salad, pasta salads, etc.
FAQs
Undercooked green beans will be rubbery/squeaky. Meanwhile, overcooked green beans become mushy. However, some beans may simply be tough and fibrous due to being picked overripe/past their best.
Yes, trim the green beans and remove any fibrous strings from the beans before cooking.
There’s no need to do so when cooking fresh green beans in an air fryer.
Yes, if you’d prefer to bake them, then preheat your oven to 425ºF/220ºC and bake for 12-15 minutes. Check my post about Oven Roasted Green Beans for more tips!
Yes, but don’t expect the same results. Canned beans are already super tender and won’t become crisp. However, you can cook them for 4-6 minutes until heated through.
Absolutely, they may not become quite as crisp, and I recommend using something (olive oil cooking spray perhaps) if you’re using dry seasonings to help them adhere.
No need – unlike dried beans, these require no pre-soak.
More Simple Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Easy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
- Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes
- Crispy Air Fried Oyster Mushrooms
If you try this green bean air fryer recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts/questions below. Also, I’d appreciate a recipe card rating below, and tag me in your recipe recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
Quick and Easy Air Fryer Green Beans
Ingredients
- 6.6 oz green beans regular green beans (string beans), French green beans (haricots verts), purple string beans, etc.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil/coconut oil/cooking spray
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Suggested Equipment
Instructions
- Prepare the green beans by washing them well and drying them with a kitchen towel. Then trim the ends (also called "topping and tailing" beans), and remove any tough strings.The quickest way to trim the beans is to grab a handful of beans and line up all the ends. Then use a long, sharp knife to trim off all the tips in one go. Repeat with all the remaining green beans.
- If your air fryer requires pre-heating, do so now to 350ºF/180ºC.
- In a large bowl (or Ziplock bag), toss the beans with the oil and seasoning.
- Spread them across the bottom of your air fryer basket in a single layer, trying to avoid them overlapping too much (a little is fine).A larger batch with overlapping beans will require a longer cooking time. It could take between 12-14 minutes and requires shaking/flipping twice, for even results.
- Air fry the green beans for 7-8 minutes, until slightly crisp outside with a tender middle. For slightly less tender air-fried green beans, cook the beans for just 5-6 minutes. For crispier results, increase the time by 1-2 minutes.The time will also vary based on the thickness/size of your beans (larger beans require 2-3 extra minutes). I’ve tried this method with and without shaking the basking halfway and found I don’t mind either, so I usually skip this step. However, if you want more even browning, feel free to do so.
- For air fryer frozen green beans: you can use the same temperature and method, but increase the cooking time to somewhere between 13-16 minutes (or slightly less/more depending on your desired texture).
How to Store?
- Store: these air-fried green beans are best enjoyed straight after cooking. However, if you have any leftovers, allow them to cool, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.Freeze: allow to cool, then place in an airtight container or reusable bag and store for between 4-6 months. Allow to thaw in the fridge before reheating or reheat from frozen.Reheat: place back in the air fryer for several minutes until heated through and lightly crisp. Reheating them under a broiler OR on the stovetop with a little oil/ butter may also work well.
Notes
- Don’t forget to trim the beans: otherwise, you can end up chewing on tough fibrous stems and strings.
- Adjust the air frying time accordingly: based on the size of your green beans and how crispy you want them to be. Also, all air fryers are slightly different, so the time can vary slightly.
- To save time: you can use pre-prepared green beans to save on prep time.
- Cook in batches: if you plan to double the recipe, it’s best to cook in two batches. You can place the first batch back in the air fryer for a minute or two at the end to reheat them. Crowding the basket can lead to soggy results.
- Flaky sea salt: for crunch and flavor.
- Seasonings: experiment with different spices and seasoning like smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, dry Ranch seasoning, curry powder, cumin, garlic and onion powder, taco seasoning, etc.
- Butter: toss the green beans with little lightly salted butter before serving.
- Garlic: thinly slice (rather than mince) the garlic to avoid burning or season with garlic powder.
- Garlic butter: homemade roasted garlic butter is the perfect accompaniment to any veggie side dish. Toss 1-2 tablespoon with the freshly air-fried green beans, and enjoy!
- Parmesan: sprinkle the air-fried green beans with parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for a vegan cheesy option) before or after cooking.
- Feta: especially with a squeeze of lemon juice. Use vegan feta if preferred.
- Lemon: along with lemon juice, you can increase the zesty flavor of this recipe by adding some fine lemon zest to the seasoning (around 1/4-1/2 teaspoon only).
- Crispy onions: crispy onions/shallots sprinkled over the crispy green beans are a classic pairing. Add toasted/sautéed slithered almonds for green bean amandine.
- Balsamic: 1-2 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar added with the olive oil.
- Nuts/seeds: slithered almonds (to make green bean almondine), sesame seeds, or pine nuts could be lightly toasted until fragrant then garnish the green beans.
- Dried cranberries: add pecans & cranberries (a few tablespoons) for a quick holiday side.
- Sesame green beans: use sesame oil instead of olive oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds. These also pair well with garlic, a little ginger, and/or a spoonful of soy sauce with red pepper flakes if you want some spice.
- Air fryer green bean fries: dip the green beans in egg and panko breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned) before air frying for crispy air fryer green bean fries.
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