Air Fryer Green Beans (4 Ways!)

10-minute tender and crispy air fryer green beans prepared 4 ways: lemon garlic, Italian parmesan, balsamic glazed, or sesame Asian-inspired. The perfect side dish for any dinner – even for picky eaters!

The best crispy air fryer green beans

Green beans are the perfect side dish for any meal! They are easy to prepare, are crisp and tender when air fried, and take less than 10 minutes to cook. Personally, I love them with pasta casseroles, crispy chicken cutlets, and even teriyaki salmon.

I have to admit, I love crispy green beans and not soggy boiled, blanched, or steamed ones. That’s why I am so excited to share this 10-minute air fryer green bean recipe with you! They are so crispy, tender, and flavorful.

The base recipe calls for three ingredients, and then you can pick from 4 different flavor variations: classic lemon garlic, Italian parmesan, balsamic glazed, or Asian-inspired sesame. Each one is so delicious!

That’s what makes this the best air fryer green bean recipe. You can serve hundreds of main dishes with all the different flavor variations – the options are endless!

Why you’ll love this air fryer recipe

• These air fried green beans are tender and crispy.
• This easy side dish only takes 10 minutes to make.
• They are healthy, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, and paleo.
• You have four flavor options to pick from!
• You can enjoy this recipe if you are keto.
• Kids and picky eaters will love this recipe.
• Any level cook can make this recipe.
• Great for meal prep.
• Try this Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower for another air-fried vegetable recipe.

Ingredients & substitutions

These air fryer green beans are made with three ingredients, plus salt and pepper. You can pick between four flavors: lemon garlic, Italian parmesan, balsamic glazed, or Asian-inspired sesame. All are super delicious! Here is a list of all the ingredients, so you are prepared – scroll to the bottom of this blog post to see the entire recipe card with measurements.

Base ingredients:

• Green Beans: Also called french beans, string beans, or snap beans. You’ll need 1 pound!
• Olive Oil: Plus some olive oil to make sure they are crisp and tender when air fried. You can use avocado oil here too.
• Garlic Powder: Garlic makes everything taste better! I used garlic powder for this recipe because freshly minced garlic will burn in the air fryer.
• Salt & Black Pepper: For seasoning, just adjust it to your preference!

Classic Lemon Garlic:

• Lemon: You’ll need the juice from one lemon.

Italian Parmesan:

• Lemon: You’ll need the juice from 1 lemon for some tanginess.
• Parmesan Cheese: Plus, some freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best cheesy flavor.

Balsamic Glazed:

• Balsamic Vinegar: I love balsamic! After you are done air frying the green beans, toss them in 1 tablespoon of aged balsamic vinegar.

Asian-Inspired Sesame:

• Sesame Oil: Just a little for the best authentic sesame stir-fry flavor. Sesame oil is super strong in flavor, so you only need a little bit. I recommend starting with half a teaspoon and adding more after tasting.
• Sesame Seeds: Plus a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. You can use white or black ones.

Kitchen tools required

You only need a few kitchen utensils to make these crispy air fryer green beans. Clean-up is so easy! Here is a list:

• Air Fryer
• Small mixing bowl
• Tongs
• Measuring Tools: 1/2 teaspoon and 1 Tablespoon.

How to make air fryer green beans

Air frying is the easiest way to prepare green beans: they are tender, crispy, and ready in less than 10 minutes. Here are step-by-step directions and pictures for visual reference:

Step 1:

First, preheat your air fryer to 380°F and lightly grease the basket with non-stick olive oil spray.

Step 2:

Next, toss the green beans in a mixing bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Step 3:

Then, add them to the preheated air fryer and air fry for a total of 7 – 9 minutes. Shake the basket at the 4-minute mark to ensure they are cooking evenly.

Step 4:

Finally, decide which flavor variation you want, classic, Italian, balsamic glazed, or sesame Asian-inspired. Then, dress the air-fried green beans with whichever you choose and serve immediately!

Expert cooking tips

I have been called the air frying queen dozens of times, so here are my expert cooking tips for making the perfect air fryer green beans:

Trim the ends off your green beans. The end parts of green beans tend to be tough and chewy. I always recommend trimming the ends off being cooking.

Shake the basket at the 4-minute mark. Every air fryer is different, so I recommend shaking the green beans around at the 4-minute mark to ensure they are cooking evenly.

Don’t skip out on the olive oil. You only need 1 tablespoon, and it is super important. The olive oil helps crispen up the green beans as they air fry while also making them tender.

Air fryer green bean flavor variations

I offer four flavor variations in the recipe card below but here are a few more if you are feeling more adventurous!

Chinese-Inspired Green Beans: Add 1 – 2 tablespoons of low sodium soy sauce instead of the sesame oil. Don’t add the salt in the second step since soy sauce is already salty.

Balsamic Glazed Green Beans: Instead of aged balsamic vinegar, you can drizzle balsamic glaze on the classic lemon flavor or the Italian parmesan one.

Add slivered almonds to any flavor. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of slivered or chopped almonds on top of any of the four flavor variations for an additional crunch.

What to serve with green beans

Green beans go well with so many dishes! Here are a few ideas broken out by protein type:

Chicken & turkey recipes:

• Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
• Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
• Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake
• Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs

Fish recipes:

• Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites
• Air Fryer Tilapia
• Furikake Salmon Bowls

Vegetarian recipes:

• No-Bean Veggie Burger
• Lemon Caper Pasta
• Air Fryer Pizza Rolls

Vegan recipes:

• Red Curry Pasta
• Super Crispy Tofu
• Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl

Frequently Asked Questions

Are green beans and string beans the same thing?

Yes, green beans and string beans are the same thing.

Are green beans the same thing as haricots verts?

Haricot verts are a variety of green beans. They are also called French green beans since “Haricot” means bean and “vert” means green in French.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is 100% gluten free.

Are green beans keto and low carb?

Yes, green beans are a great food for those following a low-carb or keto diet. They only have 2 grams of net carbs per 1/2 cup serving.

Do they keep well for meal prep?

Air fryer green beans are a great option for meal prep. You can store them in the fridge for up to 4 days.

What temperature should I air fryer green beans?

You should air fry green beans at 380 degrees Fahrenheit.

How long should I air fry green beans at 380°F?

You should air fry green beans for 7 to 9 minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to store and reheat leftovers:

Storing: Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheating: You can reheat these green beans in an air fryer or microwave. For best results, reheat in an air fryer at 350ºF for 3 – 6 minutes until warm and crisp. If you are in a rush, you can microwave them for 30 – 45 seconds until warm.

If you loved this recipe, try these next!

• Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower
• Air Fryer Garlic Bread
• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
• Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

Did you make this recipe?

If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!

I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. In full disclosure, by purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. Thank you for supporting Healthful Blondie!

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