These Air Fryer Green Beans are a no-hassle and versatile side dish that goes well with a wide range of main dishes. The seasonings are simple, but that’s all the fresh green beans need to shine– Just some garlic powder, pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes for a hint of heat.
The recipe is written to serve four people, but you can easily double it to feed a larger family or when you’re hosting friends and loved ones. The best thing about this easy recipe is that it only takes 15 minutes from start to finish.
All you need to do is wash and trim the beans, add oil and seasoning, then pop them into the air fryer basket. And tada! You have beautifully tender and crispy green beans loaded with flavor. You can take this dish to the next level by garnishing it with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
And I have plenty more easy air-fried sides like my sweet and juicy Corn Ribs, tender and flavorful Sweet Potato Cubes, or this buttery Air Fryer Texas Toast Garlic Bread.
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Recipe!
- Easy Cooking Method: Any dish made in the air fryer is an easy one! This handy device is easy to use and cooks faster than other kitchen appliances.
- Leaves Room for More Food: Cooking your green bean side dish in the air fryer leaves extra space for the entre on the stovetop and another delicious side in the oven.
- Consistent Results: As long as you follow the recipe instructions closely, you’ll have a foolproof method for making perfectly tender and flavorful green beans every time!
Ingredient Notes
Variations and Substitutions
How To Make This Easy Green Beans Recipe
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and instructions!
Step 1 | Prepare the green beans
First, unpackage, clean, and trim the ends of the green beans. Then, add them to a medium bowl.
Step 2 | Add the olive oil
Next, drizzle the olive oil on the trimmed and washed green beans.
Step 3 | Combine seasonings
In a separate small bowl, mix the seasonings- salt, pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
Step 4 | Add the seasoning to the green beans
Now, add the tasty spice mix to the green beans and olive oil.
Step 5 | Mix the ingredients
Then, use a wooden spoon or spatula to stir the ingredients until the oil and seasonings evenly cover the green beans.
Step 6 | Set the air fryer temperature
It’s time to fire up the air fryer! Set the temperature to 350 degrees F.
Step 7 | Air fry the green beans
Then, set the seasoned green beans in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes. Shake the basket about halfway through to ensure the beans are cooking evenly. After 10 minutes, the beans are ready to serve!
Tips
- Cook to Your Liking– Everyone’s preference is a little different. Feel free to cook these green beans for a little less or a little longer, depending on if you prefer crunchier or softer green beans.
- Avoid Overcrowding– Like with all air fryer recipes, setting the green beans in the basket in a single layer is important. Overcrowding the air fryer will cause the beans to cook unevenly. You may need to cook in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Serve Hot– Easy air fryer green beans are best served immediately. So, dig in y’all!
Recipe FAQ's
Technically, you can cook any vegetable in the air fryer, but some don’t have the best results. For instance, air fryer broccoli and leafy greens are typically better when cooked in the oven or on the stove because the hot air of the air fryer often dries them out, resulting in more of a charred vegetable than fried or steamed. So this is subjective; if you love that charred result, you may think there aren't any veggies you cannot cook in the air fryer.
In many ways, the answer to this question is subjective. Each method produces different textures and flavors, depending on your preferences. However, many agree that the air fryer vegetables are better because it cooks faster and needs less oil, making crispy air fryer veggies a little healthier than oven-roasted alternatives.
If you’ve heard this green bean rule before, it’s time to reveal the truth! This is an old wives’ tale. You don’t have to soak green beans before cooking. Just be sure they are washed and trimmed.
Sure! Use the same temperature and add 8 to 10 more minutes to the cooking time, shifting the basket once or twice during the process.
Storage
Refrigerate Green Beans: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for about three to four days. Be sure to let them cool to room temperature before storing any leftovers.
Freeze Leftovers: You can also store the green beans longer by keeping them in the freezer. They’ll last for a couple of months as long as they are properly stored in a freezer-safe bag or tightly sealed container.
Reheat Leftover green beans: When you’re ready to serve them again, you have a couple of options. You can reheat frozen green beans by allowing them to thaw in the fridge overnight, then warming them up in the air fryer, oven, or microwave. If they aren’t frozen, reheat the green beans in the air fryer or microwave, careful not to overcook them.
What to Serve with Air-Fried Green Beans
This green bean recipe is the perfect side dish for a heavier entre. Try my garlic-crusted, melt-in-your-mouth Prime Rib for an extra special occasion, or this Garlic Herb Turkey Tenderloin cooked with fresh orange juice and various herbs.
And if you’re craving a comforting meal, serve these delicious green beans with Beef Tips and Gravy over rice or buttery mashed potatoes– YUM!
More Tasty Green Bean Recipes
- Southern Style Green Beans
- Instant Pot Garlic Butter Green Beans
- Instant Pot Southern Style Green Beans and Bacon
- Pot Roast with Green Beans and Mushrooms
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Air Fryer Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Parmesan cheese, Optional Garnish
Instructions
- Clean and trim green beans. Add to a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the top of the cleaned green beans.
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Using a fork, stir to combine. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the top of the green beans. Then stir to combine allowing the oil and spices to be evenly coated over the green beans.
- Using a wooden spoon or spatula, stir to combine, allowing the oil and spices to be evenly coated over the green beans.
- Set the air fryer to 350℉.
- Place the prepared green beans in the basket of your air fryer and cook at 350℉ for 10 minutes. After 6 minutes, shake the basket and cook for 4 more minutes.
✱ Nikki's Tips
- Cook to Your Liking– Everyone’s preference is a little different. Feel free to cook these green beans for a little less or a little longer, depending on if you prefer crunchier or softer green beans.
- Avoid Overcrowding– Like with all air fryer recipes, setting the green beans in the basket in a single layer is important. Overcrowding the air fryer will cause the beans to cook unevenly. You may need to cook in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Suja md says
This looks amazing and such a treat! Thank you!
Nikki Lee says
Thank you!
Dannii says
These green beans were amazing. Such an incredible texture.
Nikki Lee says
Thank you, Danni!
Angela says
This was so good and so easy! Definitely my new favorite way to make green beans. Thanks for the great recipe!
Nikki Lee says
Thank you, Angela!
Cynthia says
Love the crunch and flavor of these green beans! They're great in the air-fryer!
Nikki Lee says
Thank you, Cynthia!
Elizabeth says
Can't wait to have fresh green beans from the garden to try this recipe! I'm definitely going to try using fresh garlic too. Thanks for sharing!
Nikki Lee says
Thank you, Elizabeth! I love adding garlic too!