Air Fried Green Beans


Author: Lisa Childs

Comments: 0

Category: Air Fryer Recipes

Published Date: October 7, 2021

Updated Date: January 12, 2023

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These air fried garlic green beans are salty, savory, and simple. This healthy take on a decadent restaurant classic will win over any picky eaters—and save those extra calories for dessert!

Top view of green beans on white plate topped with garlic

You can cook green beans in an air fryer? 

Making green beans in the air fryer is really quick, and great for making smaller portions (for fewer than four people). I can easily fit 1 pound of green beans into my 6 quart air fryer

These air fryer green beans were inspired by some wok-fried garlic green beans from a popular Chinese restaurant called Din Tai Fung.

The green beans are incredibly tender, garlicky, and salty. Instead of deep frying the green beans (like the restaurant does), we’re taking a healthier route by air frying.

Air fryer green bean fries

Air fried green beans aren’t really “fries,” but they’re a great alternative to french fries if you’re watching your carbs or calories. If you want to make a more fry-like fry, try battering the green beans!

To make, shake the green beans in seasoned flour, dip them into an egg wash, then dip them into seasoned panko crumbs and cook as usual.  

Close up of green beans topped with garlic

What kind of green beans should I use?

Make air fryer string beans, not air fryer french beans!

This recipe uses regular green beans. I find that the french haricot vert green beans (sold in a bag and sometimes called “fancy green beans”) are too thin for the air fryer.

If you already have french green beans (or even if you didn’t), try my amazing Bacon Green Beans recipe—it’s all of the yumminess of green beans plus bacon. 

How to make air fried green beans 

To make air fried green beans, start by cleaning and prepping your beans. If you bought them fresh, you’ll probably have to trim them yourself by popping off the stem after washing them.

This can be tedious, but for the fresh flavor and consistency of the beans, it’s worth it!

Close up of three green beans with tips chopped

To make the process a bit faster, you can stack the beans against your knife and then cut off the top stems all at once. Green beans also have a little “tail” at the bottom, but those don’t have to be cut off. 

Once your beans are cleaned and prepped, toss them with oil, garlic powder, salt, and just a touch of fresh minced garlic.

It’s important not to add all of the garlic at once because if you do, a lot of it will fall through the grate at the bottom of the air fryer and burn! 

I also recommend using a high quality salt. It sounds like a small thing, but I find that it makes a difference in the end flavor! I’ve used Redmond Real Salt for years and recommend it to everyone I know.

Green beans on a white plate toped with garlic

Air Frying Green beans

Air fry your beans for about 7-9 minutes, taking care to shake them half way through for an even cook.

About one minute before the end of the cook time, add the remaining ½ teaspoon of fresh minced garlic to the green beans with a quick shake.

This wakes up that savory garlic flavor, but it also ensures that I don’t get a bunch of burnt garlic in my air fryer!

Note that your total cook time will depend on your air fryer and your preferences, so feel free to play around with how long you cook your beans!

If you like them slightly softer, take them out a bit earlier. If you like your beans to be nice and crispy, cook them longer.

Personally, I found 9 minutes to be a perfect cook time for tender, perfectly cooked green beans.

However long you cook your beans, serve them immediately after removing them from the air fryer.

Air Fryer Salmon and Vegetables

I love making fried green beans in the air fryer with a salmon filet. Cooking salmon in the air fryer is the easiest, most genius thing, ever!

I follow the recipe for Air Fryer Salmon, then add half a pound of these seasoned green beans about 9 minutes before the end of the cook time for the salmon and I have a one-pan meal that’s healthy and ready to eat.

Air fried salmon topped with parsley on a white plate next to a teal cloth and a bowl of green beans

Frozen crispy green beans in the air fryer

In most cases, I don’t recommend using frozen green beans to make fries unless they specifically recommend cooking in an oven or deep fryer.

Frozen green beans have usually been cut into one inch pieces and are par-cooked when they’re frozen. Because they’re so tiny, they just won’t fry up the same way, and there’s a good chance that you’ll be disappointed with the results. 

If you can find longer frozen string beans, feel free to pop them in the air fryer. They’ll take about 4-5 extra minutes to cook, but they may have a bit more of a waxy texture than fresh green beans.

Air fried alternatives

Craving an old fashioned fry? Try my air fryer potato wedges and air fryer sweet potato fries.

Whether you’re craving something thick and hearty or light and crunchy, these recipes have you covered. (link to air fryer wedges and sweet potato fries)

Other air fryer recipes

graphic of air fryer green beans with the text din tai fung inspired air fryer garlic green beans

Air Fried Garlic Green Beans

These air fried garlic green beans are salty, savory, and simple. This healthy take on a decadent restaurant classic will win over any picky eaters—and save those extra calories for dessert!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 57kcal
Author: Lisa Childs

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 lb green beans washed and stems trimmed
  • 1/2 tablespoon neutral-flavored oil olive oil, grapeseed oil, etc
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic divided

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat air fryer to 400º.
  • In a medium bowl, toss the green beans with oil. Sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic.
  • Pour into the air fryer and shake to distribute evenly. Air fry for 7-9 minutes, shaking halfway.
  • 1 minute before the end of the cook time, add the 1/2 teaspoon of remaining garlic to the green beans. Shake the basket and continue cooking.
  • Serve immediately.

NOTES

Air fryers all cook slightly different depending on the size and brand. You can test your green beans after 7 minutes and see how they feel. If you’d like them crispier, cook them longer. Personally, I found 9 minutes to be perfect.
These green beans taste great with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice!

NUTRITION

Serving: 1g | Calories: 57kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 304mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g
Tried this recipe?Mention @triedtestedandtrue!


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Hi! I'm Lisa!


I founded Tried, Tested, and True in 2019 to help moms like me develop confidence and joy in the kitchen.

Since then, I have taught millions of home cooks around the world through our tried and true recipes and Youtube tutorials.

In 2021, I wrote my first book called, “I Love My Instant Pot: Cooking for One”!

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