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Air fryer green beans cooked with olive oil, sea salt, and a hint of garlic until tender-crisp and lightly blistered. A quick, easy, and delicious weeknight or holiday side dish ready in just 10 minutes.
Anyone can make these Air Fryer Green Beans, no matter your cooking experience. This quick and easy recipe transforms fresh green beans into the most delicious tender-crisp and flavorful side dish using simple, budget-friendly ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
The air fryer does all the work, delivering perfectly roasted veggies with minimal effort and zero mess. It’s the same magic that makes my Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts and Air Fryer Asparagus so irresistible, healthy, delicious. And yes, they really do take just 10 minutes to cook!
Made with just green beans, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, these green beans are simple and fresh. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan or a handful of slivered almonds for extra flavor and crunch.
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
It takes just 5 ingredients to make flavorful and delicious green beans in the air fryer. Here’s a look at what you’ll need.
- Green Beans: Choose bright, firm beans that snap easily when bent. Both string beans (also called snap beans) and haricots verts (French green beans) work beautifully in this recipe. String beans are slightly thicker and heartier, while haricots verts are thinner, more tender, and cook a minute or two faster.
- Olive Oil: Helps the beans crisp up beautifully in the air fryer while adding a touch of richness.
- Garlic Powder: A simple way to add savory depth and flavor without any extra prep.
- Salt and Pepper: Classic seasoning that enhances the beans’ natural flavor; adjust to taste.
- Optional Additions: Sprinkle with grated Parmesan, slivered almonds, or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving for an easy flavor upgrade.
Full recipe measurements and instructions in the recipe card below.
How to Air Fry Green Beans
Follow these easy steps for perfectly crisp and tender air fryer green beans every time:
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 380°F and let it preheat for about 3 minutes. Preheating helps the beans start cooking immediately for that perfect golden blister.
- Prepare the Green Beans: Wash and trim the ends off the green beans and pat them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Moisture will cause the beans to steam and prevent them from crisping.
- Season: In a large mixing bowl, toss the green beans with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Arrange: Place the seasoned beans in a single layer in the basket, being careful not to overcrowd. (Cook in batches if needed.)
- Air Fry: Cook for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The beans are ready when they are tender inside with lightly blistered edges.
Pro Tip: Thinner haricots verts (French green beans) will cook a minute or two faster, while thicker string beans may need an extra minute to reach the perfect texture.
- Serve: Transfer the beans to a serving bowl, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and add a squeeze of lemon juice or a sprinkle of Parmesan for extra flavor. Serve immediately while hot and crisp.
Serving Ideas
These easy air fryer green beans pair perfectly with just about any main dish!
Enjoy them with hearty mains like my baked lemon pepper chicken, no fuss Crock Pot pork chops, and juicy oven-roasted pork loin, or pair them with simple pastas like blackened chicken Alfredo or this creamy lemon chicken pasta.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Green Beans
- Choose fresh, crisp beans: Look for bright green beans that are firm and snap easily when bent. Avoid limp or discolored beans for the best texture and flavor.
- Dry thoroughly before cooking: After rinsing, pat your beans completely dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Any excess moisture will create steam, preventing that signature air-fried crispiness.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Arrange the beans in a single layer with a bit of space between them. Overcrowding traps moisture and leads to uneven cooking. Cook in batches if needed for the best results.
- Adjust for your air fryer model: Every air fryer cooks a little differently. Use the recommended 380°F for 8-10 minutes as a guide, then adjust slightly depending on your model and the thickness of your green beans. Thinner haricots verts will cook faster and become crisp in about 7 to 8 minutes, while thicker string beans may need closer to 9 to 10 minutes.
Storage and Reheating
Leftover air fryer green beans keep well and reheat beautifully, making them great for meal prep or quick sides later in the week.
- Storage: Let the green beans cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: For best texture, reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes until hot and lightly crisp again. You can also reheat them in a skillet over medium heat with a touch of oil, or microwave for 30-60 seconds (though they’ll be softer).
Tip: Avoid covering hot beans right after cooking, trapped steam can make them soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can cook frozen green beans directly in the air fryer – no need to thaw them first. Just toss with olive oil and seasoning, then add 2 to 3 extra minutes to the cooking time. They will probably have a softer texture and may not get quite as crisp as fresh green beans, but they’ll still taste delicious
To keep cooked green beans warm while finishing more batches, transfer them to a baking sheet or oven-safe dish and place in a 200°F oven. This keeps them warm without drying them out. Avoid covering them tightly to prevent steam buildup.
Most green beans take about 8-10 minutes in a preheated air fryer set to 380°F. Your air fryer model and the variety of beans will have the greatest effect on the total cooking time. Haricots verts (thin French beans) take about 7-8 minutes, while regular string beans take about 9-10 minutes. Always shake the basket halfway through for even cooking and check a bean or two near the end for doneness.
More Favorite Air Fryer Recipes
If you re looking for a quick, healthy, and incredibly easy side dish, these Air Fryer Green Beans are a must-try. If you love this recipe, be sure to check out these other fresh green bean favorites:
- Fresh Green Bean Casserole – a from-scratch take on the classic holiday side, made with tender green beans and a rich mushroom cream sauce.
- Roasted Green Beans – oven-roasted until caramelized and crisp around the edges, perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday meals alike.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a comment and a star rating below, your feedback helps other readers discover (and enjoy) this recipe too. Thank you so much! 💛
Air Fryer Green Beans Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F.
- Trim the ends of the green beans and pat them completely dry with paper towels.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the green beans with 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper until evenly coated.
- Place the seasoned green beans in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding for best results.
- Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Cook until the beans are tender with lightly blistered edges.
- Transfer to a bowl, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
- Dry thoroughly: Any moisture left on the beans can cause them to steam instead of crisp.
- Adjust cook time: Thin haricots verts (French green beans) cook faster than thicker string beans. Start checking for doneness at 7 to 8 minutes. For softer beans, cook 1 to 2 minutes longer
- Batch cooking: For larger servings, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
- If your air fryer runs hot, start checking at 7 to 8 minutes to avoid over-browning.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
