Air Fryer Green Beans

Making Air Fryer Green Beans is one of my favorite healthy weeknight side dishes. They’re crisp on the outside, tender in the middle and seasoned to perfection. You’ll love this alternative cooking method!

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Quick and simple. Similar to my Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges, these crispy green beans are one of those easy recipes that will become a staple in your home. You’ll need just a few basic ingredients and less than 20 minutes to make, making it realistic enough for busy weeknights. Plus, this is a great first recipe for someone trying out their new air fryer appliance.
• Well-loved favorite. Green beans are one of those comforting foods I grew up with that are common in everyday cooking across several countries. This recipe simplifies the traditional oven methods by skipping the preheat time and excess oil and turns it into a simple and convenient air fryer recipe.
• Easy variations. You can easily adapt this recipe to work with different meals. See my simple variation ideas found below.
• Delicious and healthy. This easy side dish is naturally low carb and is a great healthy alternative for deep fried sides like french fries or onion rings.

Ingredient Notes

Making air fryer green beans at home only requires a handful of ingredients.

• Fresh green beans – String beans are the main focus here, so make sure they are fresh! Wash the beans and trim the edges before cooking. If you are new to cooking with fresh green beans, check out this post: How to Trim Green Beans Fast! for helpful prep tips.
• Avocado oil – Avocado oil is one of the best oils to use in your air fryer because of the high smoke point. You can also use other high smoke point oils such as sesame oil, peanut oil, or extra light olive oil. Avoid using oils such as coconut oil, unless you love the taste of coconut.
• Salt and Pepper – These simple seasonings are essentials in cooking! Kosher salt brings out the flavor of the green beans and black pepper adds a little kick.

Variations

• Change up the spices. You can quickly and easily change the flavor to fit your main course. Try lemon and garlic, garlic powder, or chili powder for a spicy kick for instance. You could even try a breaded version and make air fryer green bean fries.
• Serve with dipping sauces. Try dipping them in vegan blue cheese, vegan ranch or drizzled with soy sauce. Or, make some homemade dipping sauces like my Cashew Sour Cream, or Vegan BBQ Sauce.
• Green bean substitutes: Try swapping out the green beans for Brussels sprouts, crisp cauliflower florets, or carrot sticks. Just make sure to cut the carrots to a similar thickness for even cooking.

How to Make Air Fryer Green Beans

1. Prepare the green beans. After washing and trimming them, add the green beans to a large bowl with the oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Add to the air fryer basket. Air fry at 380 degrees F for 8-10 minutes. Toss halfway through.
3. Serve. Serve immediately while warm with additional salt and pepper to taste and your favorite main dish.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Green Beans

These green beans pair well with just about any main dish! Here are a few of my favorites to serve with:

• Meatloaf: Classic Beyond Meat Meatloaf or Vegan Lentil Meatloaf with Oats with Almond Milk Mashed Potatoes
• Casseroles: Vegan Tater Tot Casserole
• BBQ dishes: BBQ Tempeh
• Pastas: Vegan Tofu Bolognese Sauce, Vegan Creamy Mushroom Pasta Bake or Creamy Vegan Pesto Pasta Bake
• Curries: Vegan Butter Chicken, Vegan Thai Pumpkin Red Curry or 30 Minute Yellow Curry

If you have a sweet tooth, try serving my Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls after dinner for a sweet treat.

Storage Instructions 

Leftover green beans can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To store in the fridge, place in an airtight container or cover tightly with aluminum foil.

To freeze, first, let the green beans cool. Separate them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and freeze the green beans for at least 1 hour. Once frozen, transfer the green beans into a freezer-safe bag or airtight container.

When you are ready to reheat, you can throw them back in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 5 minutes or so. You can also reheat them in a skillet or in the microwave.

Recipe FAQs

What seasonings go best on green beans?

I like to keep it simple and just use salt and pepper, but there are so many options out there! You could try garlic powder, onion powder, sesame seeds, basil, etc.

Can you air fry beans from a can?

Yes, you can. While I recommend using fresh green beans, if you only have canned or frozen green beans on hand, they will work. You’ll need to adjust your cook times to match the canned or frozen beans. For example, frozen beans will need about 12-15 minutes, whereas canned beans will need a couple minutes less.

Are air-fried green beans good?

Yes! They are delicious! These green beans come out nice and crispy on the outside, while soft and tender on the inside. They are also typically healthier than even oven baked green beans because an air fryer requires less oil to make the vegetables crispy.

Should I get an air fryer?

The air fryer is an incredibly useful kitchen appliance, especially for smaller households or people cooking for one. There are so many creative, crave-worthy recipes that can be made in an air fryer.

Plus, it’s one of the best ways to reheat leftovers in my opinion. Check out this helpful guide: A Guide to Air Fryers: Everything to Know Before You Buy to make sure you are getting the best air fryer for you and your family.

Tips for Success

• If using frozen green beans, increase the cook time to 12 to 15 minutes.
• Depending on your type of air fryer, the cook times may vary. Make sure to check them a couple of minutes early to be sure they don’t overcook.
• I did not preheat my air fryer because I did not feel it needed it. If you choose to preheat, the cook time may need to be adjusted.
• If you are doing more than one batch, remember that you may not need to cook the second batch as long since the air fryer has already come to temperature.

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