If you want a quick and easy vegetable side dish, try these air fryer frozen green beans. They are so crispy and tasty that the whole family will love them.
When I want to serve vegetables at dinner, I’m always looking for quick and easy recipes that everyone will enjoy. When I’m short on time, these air fryer frozen green beans are one of my go-to recipes!.
Green beans taste great with butter, everything but the bagel seasoning, and parmesan. In about 15 minutes, the air fryer can turn them from frozen to crispy and delicious. It’s a veggie side I can always count on the whole family devouring.
As a busy home cook, I’m always looking for quick and easy ways to prepare delicious vegetables. Recently, I discovered that using an air fryer is the perfect way to cook frozen green beans! The air fryer yields tender crisp green beans in just minutes with little effort.
In this comprehensive guide I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make mouthwatering air fryer frozen green beans at home. From why the air fryer method is so great to step-by-step cooking instructions and serving ideas this has all the details you need for air fried green bean success. Let’s get started!
Why Cook Frozen Green Beans in an Air Fryer?
Cooking frozen veggies in the air fryer is a game changer in my kitchen for many reasons
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Fast cooking time – No need to wait for thawing. Frozen green beans cook up ultra-quickly.
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Crispy exterior – The circulating hot air crisps up the outside of the beans.
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Tender interior – The inside stays moist and tender, not mushy.
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Even cooking – The air fryer heats food from all sides for consistent results.
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No extra oil needed – A quick spray of oil is all it takes since the air fryer doesn’t require submerging food in oil.
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Simple cleanup – With minimal added fat, there’s hardly any mess to clean up afterward.
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Versatile – Use any type of frozen green beans and customize flavors easily.
With all these perks, the air fryer is hands-down the best way to cook frozen green beans!
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the beauties of this cooking method is that the ingredient list couldn’t be simpler:
- 1 lb frozen whole green beans
- 1 tsp olive oil or avocado oil spray
- Kosher salt and black pepper
That’s it! You can also add any extra seasonings you like. I’ll share some ideas for that later on.
When buying frozen green beans, look for bags labeled “whole” rather than pre-cut beans. Whole beans will have better texture when air fried. You can use regular frozen green beans in a pinch, but the results may not be quite as crispy.
Step-By-Step Air Fryer Instructions
With just a few minutes of easy prep, you’ll have a side of crispy-tender green beans ready in no time. Here’s how:
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Toss the frozen beans with oil: In a bowl, mix the frozen beans, oil, salt, and any spices or herbs. The small amount of oil will help the beans get extra crispy.
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Spread the beans in the air fryer basket: Arrange the green beans in an even layer in your air fryer’s basket. Some overlapping is fine. Try not to overcrowd.
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Air fry at 400°F for 6-8 minutes: No preheating needed. Cook at 400°F, shaking the basket halfway through, until the beans are lightly browned and tender-crisp.
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Check for doneness: The total cooking time can vary based on the size of your air fryer. I prefer my green beans to have a little crunch left.
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Season and serve: Once air fried, sprinkle with a little more salt if desired. Enjoy your crispy green beans right away!
And that’s all there is to it. So much easier and faster than conventional oven cooking.
Pro Tip: Spritz your air fryer basket with oil before adding the green beans to prevent sticking.
Customize Your Frozen Green Beans
The simplicity of this air fryer method means it’s easy to customize the beans to suit your taste. Before or after cooking, try tossing them with any of these flavor additions:
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Minced garlic and Parmesan cheese
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Sliced almonds or pecan pieces
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Crumbled bacon pieces
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Onion or garlic powder and ranch seasoning
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Squeeze of lemon and chopped fresh herbs
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Drizzle of balsamic glaze
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Spicy cajun seasoning
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Everything bagel seasoning
The options are endless! Let your imagination run wild with different herb blends, spices, and garnishes.
Serving Suggestions
These crispy air fried green beans pair perfectly with all kinds of meals:
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Weeknight chicken or pork chops dinner
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Backyard BBQ’s and grilled meats
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Seafood like salmon or shrimp
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Holiday feasts like Thanksgiving or Christmas
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Low carb side dishes
For parties, double or triple the recipe and serve the green beans in a bowl for easy sharing. They also make great snacks and appetizers on their own.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Should you have any leftover green beans, here are some storage tips:
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Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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To reheat, put them back in the air fryer at 300°F for 4-5 minutes until warmed through.
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You can also reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop in a skillet.
Thanks to the low-moisture air fryer cooking method, the beans won’t get soggy and mushy when stored. Reheating restores their trademark crunch!
Helpful Hints for Success
Follow these tips for perfectly cooked frozen green beans every time:
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Use whole green beans rather than pre-cut for better texture.
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Don’t overload the air fryer basket. Leave room for airflow.
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Give the basket a shake midway through cooking to redistribute beans.
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Add any salt or seasonings after air frying since salt can draw out moisture.
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Adjust cook times based on the size and wattage of your particular air fryer model.
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Cook in batches for larger quantities to ensure even cooking.
In no time, you’ll be an expert at making these easy peasy air fried frozen green beans!
FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions about cooking frozen green beans in the air fryer:
Do the green beans need to be thawed first?
Nope, you can pop them in the air fryer straight from the freezer! No thawing required.
Can I use fresh green beans?
You sure can! Blanch the fresh beans briefly in boiling water first before air frying.
How long do cooked green beans last in the fridge?
Properly stored in an airtight container, they’ll keep for 3 to 4 days.
Do I need to spray or oil the air fryer basket first?
It’s a good idea to give the basket a quick spray of oil first to prevent potential sticking.
Got any other air fried green bean questions? Reach out, I’m happy to help!
More Tasty Ways to Use Your Air Fryer
Your air fryer is perfect for so much more than green beans. Give these delicious foods a try:
- Air Fried Sweet Potatoes
- Frozen Veggie Medley
- Buttermilk Fried Chicken
- Frozen French Fries
- Apple Turnovers
- Frozen Chicken Nuggets
The options are endless for making amazingly delicious air fried meals!
Make Weeknight Dinners Easy With Air Fried Green Beans
Whipping up frozen green beans in the air fryer truly couldn’t be more simple. With barely any prep time, you can have crispy, flavorful green beans on the table in under 10 minutes.
Use this guide to air fryer perfection for frozen green beans. With handy tips for choosing ingredients, customizing flavors, and serving ideas, you’ll have a tasty and healthy vegetable side in no time. Dinnertime just got so much easier!
What Temperature Do You Cook Frozen Vegetables in the Air Fryer?
This will depend on what you’re cooking! When I use an air fryer, I always have to try a few different temperatures before I get it just right.
380 degrees F is enough to warm frozen vegetables like green beans all the way through while making the outside crispy. But frozen tater tots should be cooked at 400 degrees F, and frozen onion rings should only be cooked at 350 degrees F.
There’s no magic number for all vegetables. Instead, try it out and see what works (or look at more of my air fryer recipes for ideas!)
Ideas for Other Flavor Variations
- Toss with chili powder instead of Everything Bagel seasoning
- Sprinkle with shredded cheddar in place of the parmesan
- When the time is up, squeeze in some lemon juice.
- Toss with cooked, chopped bacon before serving
- For fake french fries, coat them in melted butter and a little sugar before cooking. Then, serve them with ketchup.
