The best thing about this recipe is that it frees up my stove and oven for all my other cooking. This way, everything is ready at the same time and can be served fresh and hot. I love to cook my chicken steam roast on the stovetop, my spicy masala smashed potatoes, or chili lime potato stacks in the oven, and these thin green beans in the air fryer basket for a Sunday dinner.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Perfectly done greens every time - An air fryer cooks by circulating hot air, and this results in crispy green beans. Quick and easy recipe - The quick cooking time and easy cleanup of making the snap beans, as they’re also called, in the air fryer make this a perfect recipe. Fried food without calories - You can enjoy air fryer green bean fries for a fraction of the calories of actual fried green beans. Versatile recipe - This recipe makes a healthy snack or perfect side dish and fits almost all dietary restrictions.
Ingredient notes
Green beans - I try to source French beans versus string (green) beans if I can. I find these have more flavor and get crisper in a shorter amount of time in the air fryer. Sesame oil - Sesame oil has a very intense, nutty flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients in this recipe. Rice Vinegar - Less acidic and milder in taste, this is perfect for snap beans. Soy sauce - I prefer low-sodium soy sauce for health reasons, but regular is just as good. Everything but the bagel seasoning - Buy this seasoning from Trader Joe’s, or make the blend on your own per the instructions in the recipe card below.
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions.
Substitutions & variations
Balsamic drizzle finish - Toss the French beans in olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Once plated, add a balsamic vinegar or glaze, drizzle on top, and serve. Italian-inspired green beans - For a different flavor profile, toss the string beans in olive oil, garlic powder, and fresh lemon juice. Finish with freshly grated parmesan cheese and some fresh lemon zest, and serve. Panko-coated green beans - Another way of making these beans in the air fryer is to coat them in flour, dip them in some well-beaten eggs, and then add a final coating of panko breadcrumbs. Spray with nonstick spray and air fry as per instructions in the recipe card. Air-fry a different vegetable - Some of my favorite air fryer recipes are broccoli, zucchini, french fries, sweet potatoes, or asparagus. All these make a great side dish for any of your favorite main dishes like tandoori pot roast. Sesame seeds only - Sprinkle a combination of black and white sesame seeds as a topping to make things simpler.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 3 - Place them in a pre-heated air fryer and cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the type of air fryer.
Expert Tips
Use French beans if you can - French beans have a milder, sweeter taste. More tender than string beans, opt for these when possible. Opt for fresh green beans if possible - Fresh green beans work best for this recipe. These should always be your first choice with a crisp texture and delicate flavor. Cook packaged beans on the same day - If you are using pre-packaged beans, it’s best to cook them on the same day. How to cook crispy beans - To make sure the green beans are crisp, cook them in a single layer and flip them halfway through.
For more Pakistani recipes like this, check out 20 popular Pakistani recipes. If you decide to try this recipe, Please don’t forget to leave a rating and comment below! If you take a picture then tag me on Instagram! Thank You!
