Air Fryer green beans with crunchy lemony topping

Healthy and delicious air-fried beans with a crunchy, lemony, and garlicky topping are the perfect side dish that you can serve at any meal.

Air fryers have become very popular in the kitchen; whether you have them as a small appliance or as a function in your toaster oven or wall oven, they are loved by all.

Their ability to create crispy and delicious food with little oil in so little time is impressive. One of the many vegetables that can be cooked in an air fryer is green beans.

airfried green beans with crunch lemon-garlic panko on top

About this recipe

Air fryer green beans are a delicious and healthy side dish that is quick and easy to prepare. The air fryer cooks the green beans by circulating hot air around them, creating a crispy texture without adding oil. This not only makes them a healthier option compared to deep-fried green beans but also retains the nutrients in the beans.

And on top of the healthy, delicious air-fried beans, I made a crunchy, lemony, and garlicky topping that I am sure you will use everywhere you can.

green beans on a baking sheet

How to cook green beans in the air fryer?

On a baking sheet, spread your green beans (trim the stems) and drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Air fry for 5-8 minutes at 450ºF, and cook until crisp and tender, moving halfway if needed. Remove from the oven, place on an extended platter, and squeeze a little lemon juice onto them.

How to make the crunchy lemony topping?

For the lemony-garlic bread crumbs: in a bowl, add panko (about 1 cup) and drizzle with olive (3-4 tablespoons) and a pinch of salt. Mix, then grate in a garlic clove and zest a lemon.

Mix well, and don’t let the garlic clump! Place on a quarter-size baking sheet and air fry for one minute; mix, air fry for two more minutes, and repeat as needed until golden and crispy. Sprinkle over the green beans.

Toasted panko with olive oil on a baking sheet.




Best Tips for this air fryer green beans recipe

Wash and trim the ends of the green beans before cooking.

Drizzle or spray the green beans with olive oil before cooking to help them crisp up and prevent sticking to the air fryer basket or baking sheet.

Cook the green beans in a single layer to ensure they cook evenly. If you use an air fryer basket and have too many green beans to fit in one layer, cook them in batches.

Shake the basket halfway through cooking to redistribute the green beans and prevent them from sticking to the basket. Move the green beans around halfway through cooking with kitchen tongs if you use sheet pans.

Keep an eye on the green beans as they cook, as cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the beans. They should be tender but still have a slight crunch.

Serve the green beans immediately after cooking for the best texture.

Green beans benefits

Green beans, also known as string beans or snap beans, are nutritious vegetables that can be eaten cooked or raw. Here are some of the benefits of eating green beans: they are low in calories and high in fiber.

They are also rich in vitamins and minerals, antioxidant-rich, and have other health benefits like helping reduce cholesterol.

What food goes well with green beans

  • They are great served with plant-based protein like tempeh or tofu to make a complete meal.
  • Green beans go well with starchy foods such as potatoes, rice, and pasta. I love the green bean and potato salad with pesto I published some years ago.
  • Green beans can be paired with sauces like hollandaise, béarnaise, or lemon butter.
  • Green beans can be seasoned with herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or parsley or with spices such as garlic, black pepper, or nutmeg.
  • They can be topped with grated Parmesan cheese or crumbled vegan feta for a delicious and creamy addition.
  • Topped with toasted almonds, hazelnuts, or walnuts for a crunchy and nutty addition.
  • A squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a drizzle of vinegar can add a bright and tangy flavor to green beans.
  • Green beans can be paired with other vegetables, such as tomatoes, bell peppers, mushrooms, or onion, for a flavorful and healthy side dish.
  • Or just drizzled with a simple vinaigrette and topped with croutons.
  • I love to add fresh green beans to my sandwiches; the level of crunchiness is out of this world.

Other green bean recipes

airfried green beans 13

Air fryer Green Beans with crunchy lemony topping

Alejandra Graf
Healthy and delicious air-fried beans with a crunchy, lemony, and garlicky topping are the perfect side dish that you can serve at any meal.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 126 kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound green beans
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • lemon juice

Crunchy lemony topping

  • 1 cup panko
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil add more if you wish
  • 1 garlic clove
  • zest of a medium lemon
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • On a baking sheet, spread your green beans (trim the stems) and drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Air fry for 5-8 minutes at 450ºF, and cook until crisp and tender, moving halfway if needed. Remove from the oven, place on an extended platter, and squeeze a little lemon juice onto them.
  • For the lemony-garlic bread crumbs: in a bowl, add panko (about 1 cup) and drizzle with olive (3-4 tablespoons) and a pinch of salt. Mix, then grate in a garlic clove and zest a lemon. Mix well, and don't let the garlic clump! Place on a quarter-size baking sheet and air fry for one minute; mix, air fry for two more minutes, and repeat as needed until golden and crispy. Sprinkle over the green beans.

Notes

  • The air-fried green beans are best eaten immediately.
  • You can store it in the fridge in an air-tight container and reheat it in the microwave or a pan over the stove.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 126kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 853mgPotassium: 181mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 522IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 1mg
Keyword air fryer green beans, air fryer vegetable, green beans

information

Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe?Tag @piloncilloyvainilla on Instagram and hashtag it #alecooks so we can all see your creations.
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