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Perfect Air Fryer Green Beans
Crispy outside, juicy and tender inside—these Air Fryer Green Beans come together in just 10 minutes and taste way more indulgent than they are. A simple, healthy side you’ll want on repeat.
Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh green beans washed well and trimmed
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2-1 tsp sea salt
- fresh lemon juice for garnish
- fresh lemon zest for garnish
- Black pepper for garnish
- Pecan Muhammara to serve
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
- Pat the green beans dry with paper towels or a clean dish towel. Place in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with the smoked paprika, garlic powder, and sea salt. Toss until well combined.
- Line the bottom of the air fryer basket with parchment paper (optional), then add the beans. Spread out in an even thin layer. They can be slightly overlapped but not crowded (you may need to cook in two batches if you have a small air fryer).
- Air fry for 10 minutes, or until the green beans are fork tender but crispy on the edges. Add 2 more minutes if you want them softer.
- Serve the green beans hot garnished with a squeeze of lemon juice, lemon zest, and/or a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper. Serve over pecan muhammara for an extra treat.
Video
Notes
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Dry the green beans. Thoroughly pat them dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to ensure crispy (not mushy) exteriors.
- Preheat if needed. Not all air fryers require preheating, so follow your manufacturer’s instructions and preheat only if recommended.
- Line the air fryer basket. For easy cleanup, trim a piece of parchment paper to fit the basket and place it on the bottom before adding the beans.
- Avoid overcrowding. This helps ensure even cooking and proper crisping. A thin layer is fine, but try not to stack the beans more than 3–4 deep. If needed, cook them in multiple batches.
- Shake or turn halfway through. Check the beans midway through cooking and shake the basket or turn them if they’re not browning evenly.
- Season to taste. Seasoning is personal—add extra salt, black pepper, or a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving to suit your preferences.
- Make them in the oven. For a preparation variation, you can also bake the beans on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet at 375°F for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and fragrant.
- Refrigerate: Cool the green beans to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Once cooled, spread the beans in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 1–2 hours, or until firm. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen on the stovetop over low heat with a drizzle of olive oil, or microwave covered until warmed through.
- Reheating: Reheat the green beans in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes or until heated through and lightly crisp. Drizzle with a little olive oil before reheating if they look dry, and shake the basket halfway through to ensure even heat.
Nutrition
Calories: 70kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 298mg | Potassium: 260mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1029IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg