Air frying green beans is one of the easiest hands-off ways to cook them, 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, crispy on the inside. And all you need is olive oil, salt and pepper, and you are almost there.
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. 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.
Frozen Green Beans in the Air Fryer
You can cook frozen green beans in the air fryer, but it’s best to thaw them first. Defrost the green beans according to package directions, or just leave them on the counter or in the fridge until defrosted. Proceed with the recipe below.
If your green beans are still hard, they probably haven’t been cooked long enough. Keep cooking the green beans in the air fryer, adding time in 2-minute increments, until they are tender. Also, don’t skip the olive oil, which will allow them to soften as they cook.
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 three 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 outsides.
Some people wonder if green beans should be soaked before air fryer. The answer is nope, not necessary. Not even sure where that idea came from, but that’s an unnecessary step.
How Long to Cook Green Beans in the Air Fryer
- Regular green beans will take about 8 minutes at 400 degrees
- They may take 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.
How to Air Fry Green 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.
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 get as crispy on the outside.
Air Fryer Green Beans: Tender on the inside, with a nicely browned exterior, this is a great hands-off way to cook string beans!
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Cook the beans for 8 minutes at 400 degrees. 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. You can also squeeze over some lemon juice, or serve with lemon wedges on the side.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Green Beans:
- Baked Salmon
- Filet Mignon
- Breaded Pork Chops
- Shrimp Fra Diavolo
- Baked Haddock
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!
Other Green Bean Recipes:
- Fresh Green Bean Casserole
- Sautéed Green Beans with Thyme Butter
- Thai Green Beans
- Fettuccine Alfredo with Green Beans and Tapenade
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Air Fryer Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans , trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Directions
- 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 have not 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.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition values are provided as an estimate. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional.
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