These crisp, perfectly roasted air fryer green beans are made with just 5 ingredients and come together in 10 minutes. This low carb, low-calorie side dish is light and fresh, and pairs beautifully with grilled meats, seafood, creamy pasta, you name it.
Enjoy this healthy and quick side dish any night of the week!
If I haven't convinced you to invest in an air fryer from all of my other delicious air fryer vegetable recipes, these air fryer green beans might just do the trick.
These green beans in air fryer are the perfect weeknight-friendly side dish that's ready quickly, requires minimal prep, is made up of just a few ingredients, and is, of course, delicious!
Jump to:
Ingredients- Notes & Substitutions
You just need green beans, oil, and three seasonings to whip up this tasty and healthy side dish!
- Green Beans: you will need 1 pound fresh green beans for this recipe. Simply wash, dry, and trim the ends off before tossing with oil and seasonings. To save time, pick up a pre-washed and trimmed bag from your grocery store.
- Avocado Oil: I like to use avocado oil because its higher smoking point allows the green beans to get nice and crispy without burning. However, you can also use olive oil or vegetable oil in a pinch.
- Seasoning: a simple blend of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder gives your green beans just the right amount of flavor but keeps the dish versatile enough to be served with a number of different entrees. Checkout some seasoning options below.
Scroll to the recipe card for a detailed list of ingredients and quantities.
Seasoning Variations
Feel free to adjust the seasonings to suit your tastes or to fit your meal.
- You can substitute the garlic powder for 2-3 cloves fresh, minced garlic to give it a stronger kick of flavor.
- Alternatively, add ¼ teaspoon of either paprika, red pepper flakes or cayenne to add a subtle heat.
- For a slight tangy finish, squeeze a few drops fresh lemon juice just before serving.
- To pair with Asian entrees, substitute salt with 2 teaspoon of soy sauce + 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce.
Another Green Beans favorite: Green Beans Almondine
How to Air Fry Green Beans
Here are the step-by-step directions to get perfectly cooked green beans.
Prep: Wash and dry your green beans, then trim off the ends. Place the prepped green beans into a large bowl.
Season: Add in oil, salt, pepper, and garlic or garlic powder, then toss until the green beans are evenly coated.
Add to air fryer: Spread the beans evenly in the air fryer basket.
Cook: Air fry at 400ºF for 2 minutes, reduce the temperature to 370ºF, then air fry again for 8 minutes. Shake the basket after 6 minutes to redistribute the beans.
Air Fryer Facts: You can find a detailed guide on an Air Fryer - how it works, which one to buy, and what all you can cook in it, in this article: How Does an Air Fryer Work?
Alternate Method: Oven Roasted Green Beans
- Preheat the oven to 425ºF.
- Follow the steps to prep the green beans.
- Spread the seasoned beans on a lined baking sheet and cook for 12-15 minutes or until crisped to your liking.
Serving Suggestions
I recommend serving these string beans right away so the texture is just right. You can save time by prepping them ahead of time, tossing them with the oil and seasonings, and then air fry green beans 10 minutes before you're ready to eat.
These air-fried string beans are versatile enough to be served next to a variety of different entrees. Try them next to salmon patties, tandoori chicken, BBQ ribs, or creamy mushroom pasta.
How to Store & Reheat
Store any leftover green beans in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
To reheat, heat them in the microwave for 45 seconds. These beans do not freeze well.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Find already washed and cut green beans at your local grocery store for minimal prep.
- Dry the green beans thoroughly after washing so they get nice and crispy when they cook. Too much moisture will result in soggy green beans.
- For even cooking, shake the air fryer basket after 6 minutes of cooking. This redistributes the green beans so they cook all the way around.
- Adjust the cook time, as needed. If you prefer softer beans, cook for less time. If you prefer a crispier texture, cook longer.
- Play around with seasonings to pair this with different foods. Try Italian seasoning to serve it next to pastas, toss with sesame oil to serve next to chicken lo mein, spice it up with cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes, etc. The possibilities are endless.
Health Benefits of Green Beans
Green beans make a super nutritious (and yummy) addition to your meal rotation. Here are a few of the health benefits:
- They are said to help with healthy weight maintenance since they are low in calories, sugar, and contain almost no fat.
- Green beans are great for heart health since they contain no cholesterol and are high in fiber.
- They are rich in calcium and vitamin K which are both said to contribute to overall bone health.
Fun Fact: there are over 130 varieties of green beans which are also referred to as French beans, string beans, snap beans, and snaps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frozen green beans will work okay, but the texture will likely be mushier than that of fresh green beans. If you have access to fresh, I recommend using those!
You can, but I don't find it necessary in this recipe. The green beans come out perfectly crisp-tender without the extra step!
You absolutely can! Simply prep the green beans as directed, then spread them in an even layer on a lined baking sheet and cook at 425ºF for 12-15 minutes.
More Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
See the entire collection of air fryer vegetable recipes.
★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below! For more quick & easy recipes, FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Youtube.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Green Beans
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans washed, dried, ends trimmed
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil or olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder or 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
Instructions
- Wash and dry green beans and trim the ends. Add them to a large bowl.
- Add oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Toss the beans in the seasoning.
- Preheat the air fryer at 400°F for 2 minutes. Spread the seasoned beans in the fryer basket. Reduce the temperature to 370°F and cook for 8 minutes, shaking the basket after 6 minutes.
Video
Notes
- Find already washed and cut green beans at your local grocery store for minimal prep.
- Dry the green beans thoroughly after washing so they get nice and crispy when they cook. Too much moisture will result in soggy green beans.
- For even cooking, shake the air fryer basket after 6 minutes of cooking. This redistributes the green beans so they cook all the way around.
- Adjust the cook time, as needed. If you prefer softer beans, cook for less time. If you prefer a crispier texture, cook longer.
- Play around with seasonings to pair this with different foods. Try Italian seasoning to serve it next to pastas, toss with sesame oil to serve next to chicken lo mein, spice it up with cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes, etc. The possibilities are endless.
- To roast string beans in the oven, preheat the oven at 425 degrees F. Spread the seasoned beans on an aluminum lined baking sheet. Cook for 12-15 minutes depending on your preferred crispness.
Leave a Reply