Air fryer green beans are the best side dish ever! They’re healthy, low calorie, and cook in just 10 minutes. Fresh, tender green beans are topped with a spicy gluten free breadcrumb mix, and are perfect to pair with your favorite main entrée.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Air Fryer Green Beans Ingredients and Substitutions
- How To Air Fry Green Beans
- Expert Tips
- Recipe Variations
- Storing and Reheating Cooked Green Beans
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Healthy Air Fryer Side Dishes
- Did you make this recipe?
- Air Fryer Green Beans
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This air fryer green bean recipe is so good, it will make you actually want to eat your vegetables! The green beans are cooked perfectly to a “crisp-tender” texture, packed with flavor, and are SO easy to make.
You can serve these fresh green beans as a simple, healthy side dish that the whole family is sure to LOVE. They pair well with air fryer chicken leg quarters, juicy turkey burgers, and even gluten free buffalo chicken tenders for a healthy family-friendly meal.
Additionally, you can skip the spicy breadcrumb topping and serve these with dip, such as avocado ranch, for a super healthy after school snack! The possibilities are endless for these healthy air fryer green beans,
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Cooks in under 10 minutes
- Super healthy, nutritious, and low calorie
- Only 4 main ingredients needed
- Makes a delicious, simple side dish
- No need to turn the oven on!
Air Fryer Green Beans Ingredients and Substitutions
- Green Beans: I like to use fresh beans, but frozen will also work
- Gluten Free Panko: This is for the spicy, crunchy topping, but you can use regular Panko or omit it all together
- Olive Oil: If you don't have olive oil, avocado oil, or melted butter will also work
- Parmesan Cheese: Use grated parmesan so then it is similar in size to the panko, you can also use vegan parmesan to make this recipe vegan approved
- Spices: All you need is red pepper flakes, chili powder, salt, pepper, and oregano
How To Air Fry Green Beans
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F while you prepare the green beans
- Cut or snap off the ends of the fresh green beans and place the prepared beans into a large bowl
- Season the green beans with olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well combined
- Place seasoned green beans into the basket of your preheated air fryer and cook for 5 minutes, shaking halfway through
- While the green beans are cooking prepare your spicy breadcrumb topping
- In a small skillet over medium heat, add the rest of the olive oil, the gluten free panko, parmesan cheese, oregano, red pepper flakes, chili powder, and salt. Stir that around until breadcrumbs are golden and toasted (about 5 minutes)
- Once green beans are done cooking, they should be tender but still crisp, place them onto a platter and top with the spicy breadcrumbs
Expert Tips
- Save time by buying prepared green beans from the grocery store
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket: You may have to cook them in two batches depending on the size of your air fryer
- Double or triple: Depending on how many people you need to feed, you may want to double the recipe. Just cook in multiple batches
- Lower calorie: There's only 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the whole dish, but to lower the calories make it with olive oil spray instead
- Serve immediately: Green beans will start to get soggy as they cool, so they're best serve fresh from the air fryer
Recipe Variations
If you'd like to try something different, here's a few options!
- Plain: Leave off the breadcrumbs entirely
- Cheesy: Don't add the breadcrumbs on top, instead finish the air fryer beans with crumbled feta or shredded parmesan
- Bacon beans: Add bits of crispy, crumbled bacon
- Lemon and herb: Instead of the red pepper flakes and chili powder, season the bread crumbs with Italian seasonings and lemon zest. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice as well
Storing and Reheating Cooked Green Beans
STORING: You can keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Just be sure to let them cool completely before placing in the container.
REHEATING: When you want to reheat them, simply place into your air fryer basket and cook at 350 degrees F for 2-3 minutes. They will lose some of their crunch, but will still taste delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions
The only difference between these two is the size. French beans are longer than regular green beans, but both are delicious and can be air fried the same way.
Yes, let the beans cool completely then place them into a freezer safe plastic bag.
No, you do not need to soak the beans. All you're going to want to do is rinse them to clean off any dirt and grime.
Canned green beans won't work for this recipe. You need to use fresh or frozen because canned will turn out mushy.
Yes, a little bit of oil is needed otherwise the beans basically dehydrate and the breadcrumbs won't get toasty and golden brown. If you want to save calories, try using cooking spray instead.
More Healthy Air Fryer Side Dishes
- Air fryer beets
- Air fryer sweet potatoes
- Bacon wrapped asparagus (air fryer)
- Air fryer baby potatoes with bacon
- Frozen broccoli in the air fryer
Did you make this recipe?
If so, I would greatly appreciate you leaving a comment and star rating down below. Additionally, follow me on Instagram and tag me if you make this or any other of my easy, healthy side dishes.
*post and recipe card updated 1/16/2023 to include more tips and instructions*
PrintAir Fryer Green Beans
Air fryer green beans are an easy, healthy side dish you can make all year around. They're packed with nutrients, full or flavor, and cook in under 10 minutes. This simple side pairs well with any main dish for a dinner the whole family will love.
- Prep Time: 3 Minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 8 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 pound Fresh Green Beans
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil (divided)
- 1 Teaspoon Salt (divided)
- ¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- ¼ cup Gluten Free Panko
- 2 Tablespoons Grated Parmesan
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
- ½ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- ½ Teaspoon Chili Powder
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F while you prepare the green beans
- Cut or snap off the ends of the fresh green beans and place the prepared beans into a large bowl
- Season the green beans with 1 teaspoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper, stir until well combined
- Place seasoned green beans into the basket of your preheated air fryer and set time to cook for 5 minutes.
- While green beans are air frying, prepare your spicy breadcrumb topping
- In a small skillet over medium heat, add 2 teaspoons of olive oil, the gluten free panko, parmesan cheese, oregano, red pepper flakes, chili powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir that around until breadcrumbs are golden and toasted
- Once green beans are done cooking (they should be soft but still crisp, add 1 minute if needed) place them onto a platter and top with the spicy breadcrumbs
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Save time by buying prepared green beans from the grocery store
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket
- You can always double or triple the recipe, just cook in multiple batches
- Use cooking spray instead of olive oil to save calories
- These are best enjoyed while still hot
- Store any leftover in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days
Keywords: air fryer green beans, healthy green bean recipe, healthy spicy side dish
Lauren says
The breadcrumb topping was sooo good! Tasted like Cheez-its! And this was the most success I’ve had air-frying vegetables!
★★★★★
Nicole Radcliffe says
I'm so glad you liked it! Air fryer vegetables are definitely the way to go!