Air Fryer Green Beans
on Oct 23, 2023, Updated Sep 26, 2024
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Tender on the inside, with a nicely browned exterior, this is a great hands-off way to cook string beans!
Air frying green beans is one of the easiest hands-off ways to cook them quickly and get crisp, tender results. It frees you up to do other things, puts that air fryer to use (we want to make those appliances earn their keep!), and doesn’t require you to turn on the oven or stove.
The results are tender on the outside and crispy on the inside. They make a perfect side to go with 30-Minute Honey Garlic Pork Chops or Roasted Chicken with Orange Honey Mustard Glaze.
Also, see How to Cook Green Beans and How to Cook Haricots Verts, with everything you need to know about buying, storing, and preparing green beans!
Table of Contents
Air Fryer Green Beans: Tender on the inside, with a nicely browned exterior, this is a great hands-off way to cook string beans!
Ingredients
- Green beans – This recipe uses fresh green beans. Frozen green beans will also work, but make sure to thaw them before cooking.
- Olive oil – Adds flavor and helps the beans become tender as they cook.
- Salt and pepper – Make sure to use kosher salt and freshly ground pepper for maximum flavor.
Variations
These are very simply air-fried, but you can add in more seasonings as you like.
- Try a bit of chili powder and cumin, or maybe some Italian herbs. Add dried herbs in the first step before cooking.
- If you want to add some chopped fresh herbs, toss those with the beans once they‘ve been cooked while still hot.
- You can also squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the beans before serving. Make sure to taste and add more salt and pepper if you like.
How to Make Air Fryer Green Beans
- Prepare the beans: Trim the green beans, snapping off the tops and tails. In a mixing bowl, toss the green beans with the oil, salt and pepper.
- Place in an air fryer: Transfer them to the basket of an air fryer, making sure they are not overcrowded; they might not fit in a single layer, but they should not have all that much overlap. Cook them in two batches if necessary.
- Cook: Cook the beans for 8 minutes at 400 degrees. Give the basket a little shake midway through the cooking if you remember to.
- Serve: Serve the beans hot or warm, with additional salt and pepper if desired. You can also squeeze over some lemon juice or serve with lemon wedges on the side.
FAQs
Some people wonder if green beans should be soaked before air frying. The answer is nope, not necessary. Not even sure where that idea came from, but that’s an unnecessary step.
The air fryer is one of the easiest and best ways to cook green beans. It makes it easier to avoid overcooking, and the green beans come out with a great crisp-tender texture.
Regular green beans will take about 8 minutes at 400 degrees, or up to 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Thinner green beans, or haricot verts, might be done in as little as 5 minutes at 400 degrees.
Make-Ahead
- Leftover green beans can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen; transfer to a freezer-proof bag, press out any excess air, and seal the top well. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat the green beans in a microwave if desired. You can also heat them in the air fryer, but be careful not to overcook them, or they might get too crispy on the outside.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Green Beans
More Green Bean Recipes
- Fresh Green Bean Casserole
- Sautéed Green Beans with Thyme Butter
- Thai Green Beans
- Fettuccine Alfredo with Green Beans and Tapenade
- Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans
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Air Fryer Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans (trimmed)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, toss the green beans with the oil, salt and pepper. Transfer them to the basket of an air fryer, making sure they are not overcrowded; they might not fit in a single layer, but they should not have all that much overlap. Cook them in two batches if necessary. If you pile them higher than that, they will still cook but not gets as crispy on the outside.
- Cook the beans for 8 minutes at 400 F. Give the basket a little shake midway through the cooking if you remember to. Serve the beans hot or warm, with additional salt and pepper if desired.
Notes
- Try a bit of chili powder and cumin, or maybe some Italian herbs. Add dried herbs in the first step before cooking.
- If you want to add some chopped fresh herbs, toss those with the beans once cooked while still hot.
- You can also squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the beans before serving. Make sure to taste and add more salt and pepper if you like.
