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Air Fryer Crispy Green Beans

These green beans are roasted in the air fryer to achieve a vibrant, crispy exterior with tender, flavorful insides. The process highlights the beans' natural sweetness and vegetal freshness, with minimal oil for a healthier crunch. Perfect as a quick snack or side dish, they come out beautifully browned and slightly caramelized.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound green beans fresh, firm, bright green pods
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil good quality for flavor
  • to taste salt adjust to preference
  • to taste pepper freshly ground preferred
  • optional zest lemon for brightness, optional
  • optional parmesan Parmesan cheese grated, for finishing

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • Mixing bowl
  • Tongs or spatula

Method
 

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (390°F) to get it ready for roasting the green beans.
  2. Trim the ends of the green beans, then rinse them under cold water and dry thoroughly with a clean towel or paper towels. The beans should be crisp and vibrant green, ready to crisp up.
  3. Place the green beans in a mixing bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss everything together gently using tongs or your hands until the beans are evenly coated and glistening.
  4. Spread the seasoned green beans in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, making sure they’re not overcrowded so hot air can circulate freely.
  5. Cook the green beans for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to promote even browning. You’ll hear a gentle sizzle and see the edges start to turn crispy and slightly caramelized.
  6. Check the beans: they should be tender inside with a crispy, browned exterior. If they need more crunch, air fry for an additional 2 minutes.
  7. Remove the green beans from the air fryer and transfer to a serving dish. Immediately sprinkle with lemon zest or grated Parmesan if using, to enhance flavor and aroma.
  8. Let the green beans sit for a couple of minutes to crisp up further, then serve hot with your favorite dip or as a side dish.

Notes

For extra flavor, toss the beans with garlic powder or smoked paprika before air frying. Keep an eye on them near the end to prevent burning, as they can go from crispy to overdone quickly.