Vegetables
Crispy Air Fryer Green Beans (Fresh or Frozen)
Crispy air fryer green beans: fresh beans at 380°F for 8–10 minutes, frozen at 390°F for 10–14. Plus garlic parmesan and a Thanksgiving green bean casserole.
Quick answer
Toss trimmed fresh green beans with 1 tablespoon of oil, salt and garlic powder, then air fry at 380°F195°C for 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway, until tender with blistered, crispy spots. At 400°F205°C they take 6–8 minutes. Frozen green beans go straight in without thawing and take 10–14 minutes at 390°F200°C.
- Time
- 8–10 min (fresh)
- Flip
- Shake halfway
- Done when
- Tender with blistered spots
Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Green Beans air fryer times
| What you're cooking | Temp | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh green beans, trimmed | 380°F195°C | 8–10 min | Shake halfway |
| Fresh green beans at 400°F | 400°F205°C | 6–8 min | More blistering, watch closely |
| Thin French beans (haricots verts) | 380°F195°C | 6–8 min | Cook quickly, check early |
| Frozen cut green beans | 390°F200°C | 10–14 min | No need to thaw, shake twice |
| Frozen whole green beans | 390°F200°C | 12–15 min | Spread out any clumps |
| Garlic parmesan green beans | 380°F195°C | 8–10 min | Add parmesan for the last 2 minutes |
| Bacon-wrapped bundles | 380°F195°C | 12–15 min | Use thin-cut bacon |
| Small green bean casserole | 350°F175°C | 12–15 min | Fried onions for the last 2–3 minutes |
| Reheating cooked green beans | 350°F175°C | 3–4 min | Shake once |
Times are for a preheated 5–6 quart basket air fryer with food in a single layer. Oven-style and very large air fryers can run 1–3 minutes slower. Always check doneness with an instant-read thermometer.
These are one of the fastest sides you can make in an air fryer. In under 10 minutes the beans turn tender with blistered, slightly crispy spots, and they need nothing more than a little oil, salt and garlic. They’re a great Thanksgiving side, because they cook in the time it takes to carve the turkey.
How to air fry them
- Rinse, dry and trim the beans. Drying them well is the key to crispy spots.
- Toss with oil and seasoning. About 1 tablespoon of oil per pound.
- Cook at 380°F195°C for 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway.
- Taste one. It should be tender with a little bite, and browned in places.
Fresh or frozen?
Fresh beans give the best texture: crisp-tender with blistered skins. Frozen ones work well too and need no thawing. Cook them at 390°F200°C for 10–14 minutes, shaking twice. They release a little water, so they come out more tender than crispy, which is great for a holiday side when you want something easy.
For Thanksgiving
Three ways to serve them on the holiday table:
- Garlic parmesan: the recipe below. It’s quick, and it looks good on the table.
- Bacon-wrapped bundles: wrap 6–8 beans in half a slice of thin-cut bacon, secure the ends underneath, and air fry at 380°F195°C for 12–15 minutes, until the bacon is crisp. Thick bacon won’t crisp before the beans overcook.
- Green bean casserole, small batch: mix 2 cans of drained green beans (or 3 cups of cooked fresh beans) with a can of cream of mushroom soup and ¼ cup milk in a dish that fits your basket. Air fry at 350°F175°C for 10–12 minutes, until bubbling, then top with fried onions and cook 2–3 minutes more. The onions brown quickly, so watch them.
Planning several sides? Our air fryer side dishes guide has a timing plan for cooking them while the turkey rests.
Tips for the crispiest beans
- Dry them thoroughly. Water on the beans turns to steam.
- Don’t overfill the basket. A little overlap is fine, but a packed basket cooks unevenly.
- Use garlic powder while cooking. Fresh garlic burns at air fryer temperatures.
- Finish with acid. A squeeze of lemon or a splash of balsamic brightens the flavor.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days. Reheat them at 350°F175°C for 3–4 minutes, shaking once. See our reheating guide for other leftovers.
Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Green Beans
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Air fryer
- 380°F195°C
- Makes
- 4 servings
- Calories
- 95 per serving
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup finely grated parmesan
- Lemon wedges, to serve
Instructions
Tap a step to check it off.
- Dry and trim. Rinse the beans and dry them well with a towel. Trim the stem ends.
- Season. Toss the beans with the olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper until evenly coated.
- Preheat. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F195°C for 3 minutes.
- Air fry. Spread them in the basket in an even layer. Cook for 6–8 minutes, shaking halfway.
- Add parmesan. Sprinkle the parmesan over the beans and cook for 2 more minutes, until the cheese melts and turns golden in spots.
- Serve. Squeeze a little lemon over the top and serve right away.
Notes
- Dry beans crisp. Wet beans steam, so pat them dry after rinsing.
- A 5–6 qt basket holds about 1 lb. The beans can overlap a little, as long as you shake them halfway.
- Fresh garlic burns in the air fryer, so use garlic powder, or toss the cooked beans with minced garlic sautéed in butter.
Nutrition is an estimate calculated from typical ingredient values and will vary by brand and portion.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook fresh green beans in the air fryer?
Cook trimmed fresh green beans at 380°F195°C for 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway, until tender with blistered spots. At 400°F205°C they take 6–8 minutes. Thin French beans are done in 6–8 minutes at 380°F195°C.
Can you air fry frozen green beans?
Yes, with no thawing. Toss them with a little oil and seasoning and cook at 390°F200°C for 10–14 minutes, shaking twice so they cook evenly. They won't get quite as crisp as fresh beans, but they brown nicely.
How do you make green beans crispy in the air fryer?
Dry them well after rinsing, use just enough oil to coat, don't overfill the basket, and shake halfway. A final 2 minutes with grated parmesan adds extra crunch.
Do you need to blanch green beans before air frying?
No. Fresh beans cook through in 8–10 minutes in the air fryer, so there's no need to boil or blanch them first.
Can you make green bean casserole in the air fryer?
Yes, for a small batch. Mix cooked or canned green beans with cream of mushroom soup and a splash of milk in an oven-safe dish that fits your basket. Air fry at 350°F175°C for 10–12 minutes, until bubbling, then add fried onions and cook 2–3 minutes more.
Can you prep green beans ahead for Thanksgiving?
Yes. Trim and dry the beans up to 3 days ahead and store them in a bag in the refrigerator with a paper towel. Cook them just before serving, because they only take 8–10 minutes.
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