I just made the Best Air Fryer Green Beans and they’re garlicky, buttery, and impossibly crisp, so you need these at dinner.
I’m obsessed with the Best Air Fryer Green Beans because I finally get something worth fighting for. I love that tight snap when I bite into fresh green beans and the hit of garlic that makes every mouthful loud, not bland.
Green Bean Air Fryer batches come out with char and crunch I never get in the oven. But what really sells me is how messy-good it feels on my plate, buttery fingerprints and a little bitter char.
No pretending this is fancy. I want seconds every single time, even.
My fork dives in first and I never say no.
Ingredients
- Fresh green beans: crunchy, bright, and the star you’ll actually eat.
- Butter adds richness and a little silky mouthfeel, like cozy comfort.
- Basically olive oil gives extra crisp edges and keeps things from sticking.
- Garlic’s punch wakes it up, garlicky but not overpowering.
- Parmesan brings salty, nutty finish and a cheesy bite.
- Salt pulls out the green bean flavor, making it taste honest.
- Black pepper gives a subtle heat and little peppery twang.
- Plus lemon juice adds a bright zip and cuts the richness.
- Red pepper flakes add a sneaky heat that gets you.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 pound fresh green beans trimmed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, if you want extra crisp)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
How to Make this
1. Rinse and dry 1 pound trimmed green beans thoroughly, patting them with paper towels so they dont steam in the air fryer.
2. In a bowl mix 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional for extra crisp), 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice (optional) and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional).
3. Add the green beans to the bowl and toss well so every bean is coated with the garlic butter mixture. Give them a good toss, its worth it.
4. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 3 minutes. Preheating helps them crisp up faster.
5. Place the beans in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Dont overcrowd; do two small batches if needed so they crisp evenly.
6. Cook at 380°F for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket or tossing the beans halfway through cooking to make sure they brown evenly. Cook a little longer if you like them darker or more blistered.
7. When they look tender and slightly blistered, remove the beans to a bowl while still hot.
8. Immediately sprinkle 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the hot beans and toss so the cheese melts and clings. Taste and adjust salt or pepper if needed.
9. Serve right away. If you used lemon juice, a tiny extra squeeze on top brightens the flavors. Leftovers reheat well in the air fryer for a minute or two to revive the crisp.
Equipment Needed
1. Large mixing bowl
2. Measuring spoons and measuring cup (for butter, oil, salt, etc.)
3. Chef knife and cutting board (or garlic press for the garlic)
4. Box grater or microplane for the Parmesan
5. Paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to dry the beans
6. Tongs or a spatula for tossing and transferring beans
7. Air fryer with basket
8. Oven mitts or heatproof gloves
FAQ
Air Fryer Green Beans Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Unsalted butter: swap with 2 tbsp melted ghee for a nuttier flavor, or use vegan butter if you want dairy free, or use 2 tbsp olive oil for a lighter, crisp result.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese: replace with grated Pecorino Romano for sharper tang, or use 2 tbsp nutritional yeast to keep it cheesy but vegan, or try finely grated Asiago.
- Lemon juice (optional): use an equal amount of lime juice for a brighter bite, or 1/2 tsp white wine vinegar if you don’t have citrus.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): substitute a pinch of cayenne pepper for more concentrated heat, or a few drops of hot sauce if you want to spread the spice evenly.
Pro Tips
1. Dry the beans really well before you oil them, or they’ll steam and never get crisp. I usually pat them with paper towels then let them sit a minute so any hidden droplets evaporate.
2. Don’t overcrowd the basket. If they’re piled up they’ll steam not roast, so do two smaller batches if needed. Shake or toss halfway through so the blisters and brown spots are even.
3. Add the Parmesan right off the heat so it melts and sticks. If you wait it cools down and just becomes gritty. A little extra squeeze of lemon at the end brightens things up, but add sparingly so it doesnt overpower the garlic.
4. For more punch, try sauteing the garlic lightly in the butter first so it loses that raw bite, or use garlic powder for a milder, more even flavor. If you want extra crisp, a splash of olive oil or a tiny dusting of cornmeal helps too.
Air Fryer Green Beans Recipe
I just made the Best Air Fryer Green Beans and they're garlicky, buttery, and impossibly crisp, so you need these at dinner.
4
servings
149
kcal
Equipment: 1. Large mixing bowl
2. Measuring spoons and measuring cup (for butter, oil, salt, etc.)
3. Chef knife and cutting board (or garlic press for the garlic)
4. Box grater or microplane for the Parmesan
5. Paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to dry the beans
6. Tongs or a spatula for tossing and transferring beans
7. Air fryer with basket
8. Oven mitts or heatproof gloves
Ingredients
-
1 pound fresh green beans trimmed
-
2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
-
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, if you want extra crisp)
-
2 cloves garlic minced
-
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
-
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
-
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
-
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
-
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Directions
- Rinse and dry 1 pound trimmed green beans thoroughly, patting them with paper towels so they dont steam in the air fryer.
- In a bowl mix 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional for extra crisp), 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice (optional) and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional).
- Add the green beans to the bowl and toss well so every bean is coated with the garlic butter mixture. Give them a good toss, its worth it.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 3 minutes. Preheating helps them crisp up faster.
- Place the beans in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Dont overcrowd; do two small batches if needed so they crisp evenly.
- Cook at 380°F for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket or tossing the beans halfway through cooking to make sure they brown evenly. Cook a little longer if you like them darker or more blistered.
- When they look tender and slightly blistered, remove the beans to a bowl while still hot.
- Immediately sprinkle 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the hot beans and toss so the cheese melts and clings. Taste and adjust salt or pepper if needed.
- Serve right away. If you used lemon juice, a tiny extra squeeze on top brightens the flavors. Leftovers reheat well in the air fryer for a minute or two to revive the crisp.
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 132g
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 149kcal
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0.12g
- Polyunsaturated: 0.8g
- Monounsaturated: 4.9g
- Cholesterol: 21mg
- Sodium: 253mg
- Potassium: 253mg
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 3.8g
- Sugar: 4g
- Protein: 4.4g
- Vitamin A: 380IU
- Vitamin C: 14mg
- Calcium: 116mg
- Iron: 1.2mg
