This simple side dish recipe makes tasty air fryer green beans in about 10 minutes! These quick and easy garlicky beans make a delicious healthy veggie side dish for dinner.
Green beans are a favorite food in my house. They are relatively inexpensive, health and quick to make. There is just one problem – plain green beans can be kind of boring!
Luckily they are versatile and it is easy to give them a different flavor, like adding coconut or garlic to make them more exciting. Or you can really go all out and add breading and cheese to make them into air fryer green bean fries.
Cooking green beans in the air fryer is a simple way to make them tasty! The high heat and circulating air of the air fryer makes the green beans soft with a little bit of crispiness which makes them delicious, even without adding in a lot of extras.
Why You Will Love Air Fryer Green Beans
This recipe for cooking green beans in the air fryer is about as simple as it gets. That makes it a great recipe for new air fryer owners.
It uses just a little bit of oil along with spices to flavor the beans.
This recipe is gluten free, keto friendly, low carb, vegan and low calorie. So it works with pretty much any dietary restrictions!
It is the perfect side dish for company. It is easy to double or triple the recipe and use it as a lighter alternative to green bean casserole.
Key Ingredients
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
Green beans – I use basic green beans from the grocery store, which are also called string beans or snap beans. The color doesn’t matter, green, yellow or purple beans all work fine in this recipe.
Oil – Using an air fryer means you can use less oil, but I find a little bit makes a big flavor difference. Use olive oil or avocado oil for delicious flavor.
Seasoning – Simple seasoning brings out the flavor of the beans. I like to flavor mine with salt and garlic powder. Black pepper would be another great addition.
How to Make Air Fryer Green Beans
1. Prepare
Rinse the beans under cold water and either let them drain or pat them dry with a paper towel. If you don’t dry them they will steam instead of roast.
Trim off the stem end of beans. You can leave the curled tip end on.
2. Season
Use a spray bottle or mister to coat the beans with a little bit of oil. They really don’t need much, so a light spray while you toss them is enough.
If you don’t have cooking spray you can use 1/4 teaspoon of olive oil and toss them using tongs.
Add garlic powder and salt to the beans and toss them in the bowl so they become coated with the spices. I like my beans a little salty, so reduce the salt it you prefer.
Because these are light and easy to toss in the air fryer basket you can fill it more than with a vegetable like potatoes. Don’t fill it up to the brim, but a double layer of beans should be fine.
3. Air Fry
Air fry the green beans at 360 F for 8-10 minutes. Shake the basket once or twice during the cooking time. If the basket is full then shake it more than once.
After 10 minutes check the beans and decide if they are right for you. I like my beans soft and lightly browned, but not super crispy. If you want them to have a very crispy texture they will need to cook longer
How to Serve With Air Fryer Green Beans
These make an excellent side dish for any dinner. I especially enjoy them with a roast or pasta dishes. I will also make these as a quick snack or an accompaniment to lunch too. They are great when you want a quick side dish or something that will fill you up without many calories.
How to Store
Leftover green beans can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3 days. To reheat put them back in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes at 360 degrees F.
Spice Variations
This is also an easy recipe to change up by varying the amount of spices. Here are some suggested flavorings.
Add some black pepper or Italian seasoning.
Make hot and spicy beans with crushed red pepper flakes or chili powder.
Toss them with curry powder and coconut for serving with an Indian meal.
Give them a southeast Asian flavor by using sesame oil and sesame seeds.
FAQ
Yes, frozen vegetables, including beans cook fine in an air fryer. Cook them for 10-12 minutes at 370 degrees F. Learn more about air frying frozen beans here.
Any kind of fresh string beans work in this recipe. During the summer I sometimes buy purple or yellow string beans at the farmer’s market, but those would cook up the same way so there would be no need to change the recipe.
French beans are smaller and thinner. You would need to reduce the cooking time to 4-5 minutes due to their smaller size.
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Air Fryer Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound fresh green beans
- olive oil or avocado oil in a spray bottle
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Wash and dry the beans.1/2 pound fresh green beans
- Cut the stem end off the beans. The curly tip can remain on.
- Put the green beans in a bowl and spray with a little bit of cooking oil.olive oil or avocado oil in a spray bottle
- Add the garlic powder and salt. Toss the beans with tongs to coat.1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Air fry the green beans at 360 degrees F for 8-10 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time remove the basket and shake to redistribute the beans.
- If you want them crisper cook them for a minute or two longer.
Video
Notes
- If you don’t have a spray bottle toss the beans with 1/4 teaspoon of oil.
- If using small French green beans reduce the cook time to 6 minutes.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
Thanks for such a healthy dish, it contains a good amount of antioxidants that make your skin glow and shine.
I have a rotisserie basket for my air fryer. Can or should I, cook them in this?
Great side dish. Perfect for any meal of the week.