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!
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If I haven't convinced you to invest in an air fryer from my other delicious air fryer vegetable recipes, these perfectly roasted green beans might do the trick.
These green beans in an air fryer are the perfect weeknight-friendly side dish. Here's why:
- They're ready quickly in 10-15 minutes
- Require minimal prep
- They need just 5 ingredients
- Perfectly roasted without turning on the oven!
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Ingredients- Notes & Substitutions
You need green beans, oil, and three seasonings to make this light and tasty side dish! Here are some ingredient notes and possible substitutions:
- Green Beans: For this recipe, you will need 1 pound of fresh green beans. Wash, dry, and trim the ends off before tossing them 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 and keeps the dish versatile enough to be served with several different entrees. Check out some seasoning options below.
Seasoning Variations
Feel free to adjust the seasonings to suit your tastes or to fit your meal.
- To give it a stronger garlicky flavor, substitute the garlic powder for 2-3 cloves of fresh, minced garlic.
- Alternatively, add ¼ teaspoon of paprika, red pepper flakes, or cayenne to add a subtle heat.
- For a slight tangy finish, squeeze a few drops of fresh lemon juice just before serving.
- To pair with Asian entrees, substitute salt for 2 teaspoons of soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of chili garlic sauce.
Scroll to the recipe card for a detailed list of ingredients and quantities.
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 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.
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.
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?
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 cooking 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 pasta, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frozen green beans will work okay, but their 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.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Green Beans
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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.
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