Air Fryer Green Beans

Air fryer green beans with flaked almonds is a delicious, healthy dish that is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. This dish is so simple to make and it’s absolutely delicious. Plus, it’s a great way to get your veggies in.

How to cook green beans in the air fryer

If you’re looking for a delicious way to cook your green beans, look no further than your trusty air fryer! Air frying green beans is not only quick and easy, but it also produces perfectly crispy, tender beans that are sure to please the whole family.

This recipe for air fried green beans is flavored with garlic and has toasted almonds as a tasty addition to take this dish to the next level.

For some other tasty air fryer side dishes you might like to try: air fryer bacon wrapped asparagus, air fryer Parmesan Brussels sprouts, air fryer smashed potatoes, or air fryer broccolini.

Scroll down for the printable card for this green bean air fryer recipe, or read on for all the details.

Ingredients and substitutions

Quantities for all ingredients are given in the recipe card below.

Green beans

All varieties of fresh green beans can be air fried using the method below.

Green beans, string beans snap beans, wax beans, and haricot vert just need a wash, trim the ends, and I usually cut them in half so the pieces are around 2-3 inches long.

For Romano beans, Italian green beans, flat beans or runner beans (different names, same bean), give them a wash, trim the ends, and then cut them into pieces around 2-3 inches long.

You can also use frozen green beans for this recipe, though the cooking time will be a little longer, and they are never going to get quite as crispy as fresh green beans will.

Garlic

Fresh garlic cloves are the best if you have them. Either thinly slice or crush them before using.

If you don’t have fresh garlic you can substitute minced garlic from a jar (1 teaspoon per clove), or garlic powder (¼ teaspoon per clove). Onion powder will also do in a pinch.

Oil

The recipe below specifies light olive oil, but you can substitute any other cooking oil that you would normally use in your air fryer.

Choose one with a high smoke point, like corn oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil.

As always with air frying, the more oil you use the crispier the results, but the higher the calories. So feel free to adjust the amount of oil used in the recipe to find the perfect balance for you and your family.

You can use an olive oil spritz if you just want to add a tiny bit of oil. I would advise against using a generic cooking spray (like PAM), as these can damage the non-stick coating of some air fryer baskets.

Salt and pepper

Salt and pepper are used to season the green beans.

You can add other seasoning too if you like. Try adding ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.

Optional: almond slices

These air fried green beans are great served as they are, but you can really elevate them to something special by adding some toasted sliced almonds.

This is the Love Food Not Cooking air fryer version of the classic French dish green beans almondine.

How to make the BEST roasted green beans in the air fryer

This recipe is pretty straight-forward, but there are a few steps you will need to get right to make sure they come out perfect.

1. Rinse the green beans then pat them dry. Removing any excess surface moisture before air frying is going to help them get as crispy as possible.
2. Toss your green beans in a little olive oil with crushed garlic cloves and salt and pepper.
3. Optional step: place some sliced almonds in a small pan in your air fryer. Air fry them for 3-4 minutes at 400°F/ 200°C until they are golden brown and starting to smell toasty.
4. Then air fry green beans for around 8-10 minutes until they are bright green and starting to go crispy at the ends.
5. Remove the beans from the air fryer basket and toss with the toasted flaked almonds (if using). Serve immediately.

Serving ideas

If using toasted almonds to the dish I think it is perfect as it is. If not, there are a few other ways that I like to serve these air fried beans, depending on the type of main course I am serving them with:

• Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil
• Serve with lemon wedges on the side for your guests to squeeze lemon juice over them
• Drizzle with sweet balsamic vinegar

Storing and reheating

Store any leftovers in an airtight container and use within 4-5 days.

To reheat the green beans, place them in your air fryer basket and heat for 5 minutes at 400°F/ 200°C until hot.

Recipe card

You may also like:

• Air fryer broccoli
• Air fryer roasted vegetables
• Microwave steamed green beans
• Air fryer sweet potato wedges
• Instant Pot steamed broccoli

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