Made with just 4 ingredients and ready in 20 minutes, these air fryer green beans are one of the easiest and healthiest side dishes you can make. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, or to serve during Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday meal.
Ever since I got an air fryer for my birthday last year, I’ve been using it almost every day to cook everything from chicken and pork chops to salmon, asparagus—and now these delicious green beans.
If you’re looking for a fast, healthy, and crowd-pleasing side dish, these air fryer green beans are exactly what you need. They’re crispy, flavorful, and only take a few minutes to prep. I’ve served them with chicken, salmon, and even during holiday dinners—and they’re always a hit. It’s hard to believe something this easy can taste so good.
- 1 Why Are You Going To Love This Recipe
- 2 Ingredients You’ll Need For Air Fryer Green Beans
- 3 How To Make Air Fryer Green Beans
- 4 Tips For Making The Best Air Fryer Recipes
- 5 Recipe Variations
- 6 Storing Ideas
- 7 How To Serve Air Fryer Green Beans?
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions
- 9 More Side Dish Recipes
- 10 Air Fryer Green Beans
Why Are You Going To Love This Recipe
- Perfect for low carb and keto diets – These air fryer green beans are naturally low in carbs, high in fiber, and a great fit for keto and other low carb ways of eating.
- Quick and easy – The entire recipe takes just 20 minutes from start to finish—perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals.
- Super versatile – Enjoy them plain or customize with toppings like crispy bacon, toasted almonds, parmesan cheese, or your favorite seasonings.
- Easy to meal prep – These green beans store well in the fridge and reheat beautifully, making them great for prepping ahead.
- Healthier alternative to heavy sides – They’re a lighter, nutrient-packed option compared to creamy or starchy holiday sides.
- Great texture – Thanks to the air fryer, you get crispy edges with tender centers—no sogginess here!
- Perfect for any occasion – Simple enough for everyday meals, but special enough for holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter.
Ingredients You’ll Need For Air Fryer Green Beans
You will need only 4 ingredients that are easy to find to create this delicious side dish. Here is a list with everything you will need:
- Green Beans – Fresh green beans work best for this recipe. They’re crisp, mild in flavor, and full of nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, and folate.
- Olive Oil – Helps the green beans crisp up nicely in the air fryer. You can also use avocado oil, melted butter, or any other vegetable oil you prefer.
- Garlic Powder – Adds a subtle savory flavor. You can also use minced fresh garlic if you want a stronger garlic kick.
- Salt and Pepper – Season to taste. You can keep it simple or add extras like smoked paprika, onion powder, lemon zest, or red pepper flakes for a little heat.
How To Make Air Fryer Green Beans
Once you see how quick and easy it is to cook green beans in the air fryer, you’ll want to make them all the time. Here’s how to get perfectly crispy and flavorful air fryer green beans every time:
- Preheat the air fryer. Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). If your model doesn’t have a preheat setting, just run it empty for 5 minutes before cooking.
- Prep the green beans. Wash the green beans thoroughly, then trim the stems. If you have larger beans, cut them in half so all the pieces are a similar size for even cooking.
- Season the green beans. Add the trimmed beans to a mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss well to coat all the beans evenly.
- Air fry the green beans. Place the beans in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. They should be golden brown, tender, and slightly crispy on the edges.
- Serve and enjoy. Transfer the green beans to a serving platter. Top with slivered almonds, parmesan, or your favorite garnish, and serve immediately.
Tips For Making The Best Air Fryer Recipes
- Use butter for a richer flavor – If you prefer a buttery taste, swap the olive oil for melted butter. It adds a deeper flavor that pairs really well with green beans.
- Shake the basket halfway through – Gently shake or toss the green beans halfway through cooking. This helps them cook evenly and crisp up on all sides.
- Pat the green beans dry – After washing, use paper towels to dry the beans well. Removing excess moisture helps the oil and seasonings stick better and gives you crispier results.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket – For the best texture, spread the green beans in a single layer with a bit of space between them. Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of crisping.
- Preheat your air fryer – Starting with a hot basket gives the beans a head start and improves browning and texture.
- Use fresh beans when possible – Fresh green beans work best. If using frozen, make sure they’re completely thawed and patted dry before cooking.
Recipe Variations
This air fryer green beans recipe is easy to customize depending on your taste or what you have on hand. Here are a few simple ways to switch things up:
- Add shredded parmesan – Sprinkle a little grated or shredded parmesan cheese over the green beans during the last 2 minutes of cooking for a cheesy, golden finish.
- Make it spicy – Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or chili powder to give your green beans a little heat.
- Garlic-lovers version – Use fresh minced garlic instead of garlic powder for a bolder, more savory flavor.
- Lemon zest or juice – Brighten up the dish by adding a bit of lemon zest or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving.
- Smoked paprika or cumin – For a deeper, smoky flavor, try adding smoked paprika, onion powder, or a dash of ground cumin to the seasoning mix.
- Toss with toasted almonds or pine nuts – For extra crunch and flavor, add some toasted slivered almonds, pine nuts, or sunflower seeds before serving.
Storing Ideas
- Fridge – Store any leftover air fryer green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days. Just let them cool completely before storing.
- Freezer – You can also freeze cooked green beans. Place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag and store for up to 1 month. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring back some of the crispiness.
How To Serve Air Fryer Green Beans?
This recipe for air fryer green beans is a great side dish idea because it pairs perfectly with any recipe, and everyone will love it. Here are some great ideas:
- Oven Baked Salmon
- Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders
- Bruschetta Chicken
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
- Garlic Mushroom Chicken
- Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Keto Meatloaf
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make This Recipe In The Oven?
Yes, if you don’t have an air fryer, you can still cook green beans in the oven. First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and prepare the green beans according to the recipe card below. Transfer your green beans to a baking pan and bake them for 15 minutes.
Can I Make This Recipe Without Olive Oil?
Sure, if you want a 100% oil-free side dish, you can skip the olive oil. However, I still recommend spraying the air fryer basket to avoid the green beans sticking to it.
Can I Use Frozen Green Beans Instead Of Fresh Ones?
Sure, you can make this recipe with frozen green beans. Just make sure you thaw and pat dry them before starting the cooking process.
Do I Need To Boil The Green Beans Before Air Frying?
No need to boil them first. Fresh green beans cook perfectly in the air fryer without any pre-cooking. Just wash, trim, season, and air fry.
Can I Make These Ahead Of Time?
Yes! You can cook them ahead and reheat them in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes to bring back some of the crispiness. They’re great for meal prep too.
More Side Dish Recipes
- Cauliflower Risotto
- Best Creamy Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Recipe (Easy, Delicious, And Healthy)
- Jicama Fries
Air Fryer Green Beans
Description
Ingredients
- 1 lb of fresh green beans trimmed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF (200ºC).
- In a large bowl, combine green beans, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss well until the beans are evenly coated.
- Place the green beans in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Cook until the beans are tender and slightly crispy on the edges.Note: You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Serve immediately, or let them cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.