10-Minute Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans

If you need to get a veggie side dish on the table and fast then making frozen vegetables in the air fryer is going to save you time, money, and the mental load of figuring out yet another way to get greens into the mouths of your family.

Green beans in the air fryer crisp up thanks to the circulation of high heat, and the interior stays nice and tender.

They don’t need any special ingredients to cook and can be served with a variety of seasonings and spices. This means you can always turn to frozen green beans to mix up your dinner routine!

Readers also love these recipes using frozen green beans: 15-minute sauteed green beans and mushrooms, homemade vegetable barley soup, or mini vegetarian pot pies!

Ingredient Notes

Ok, so you don’t need much for this simple recipe. You really only need 3 ingredients. Of course, you can add spices and seasonings to your heart’s (or tastebuds) desire, but more on that in a minute.

For now, here’s what you’ll need to start:

• Frozen Green Beans: I recommend using whole green beans if you can find them. I find they have a better texture when air fried. However, cut green beans will work, and as a bonus, they’ll take less time!
• Olive Oil: only a little olive oil is needed to help the outside crisp up.
• Salt: of course, I’m not going to make a veggie without a little salt! You can also toss them in some garlic or onion powder for extra flavor, too.

Did you know that frozen veggies are sometimes more nutritious than fresh? They’re picked and then flash-frozen at the peak of their ripeness, which preserves all the goodness.

Equipment

I have a 4-Quart Ninja Air Fryer and it is what I use for this recipe.

You, of course, can use the air fryer you have. I recommend noting its size as you may have more or less space. Air fryers can vary by make and model, so use your chef’s eye to keep watch as you cook the beans.

How to Cook Frozen Green Beans in the Air Fryer

This is truly such an easy way to prepare a vegetable side dish! And I did say it was basically a non-recipe, right? Here it goes…

Toss frozen green beans – yes, straight from the freezer, no thawing required – with olive oil, and salt. You really don’t need to season them until after cooking, but I still like to for good measure.

If you’re going to add garlic or onion powder, or another spice blend, go ahead and do so now, too.

Spread the beans in an even layer so the air can circulate around them evenly to encourage the best crisping. Don’t worry too much though, some overlap is fine.

There’s no need to spray the basket before cooking in the air fryer since we’re tossing the beans in oil. Oftentimes, sprays can ruin the coating on your air-fryer basket, too.

I really don’t like to wait for my air fryer to preheat…so, this recipe doesn’t require any preheating time! Unless of course your air fryer recommends it regardless of what you’re cooking, be sure to read that manual!

Time & Temperature

Cook the green beans at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, if whole. Be sure to shake the basket to toss halfway through the cooking time.

This accomplishes two things, helps to move the beans around to encourage crisping all around, especially if they’re overlapped. It also gives you an opportunity to check on them and monitor their progress.

If the beans are cut, they will only need about 6-7 minutes in the air fryer.

Check on them to determine the level of doneness you prefer. I like a little crispness on the outside of the beans.

NOTE: Because air fryers vary in temperatures, wattages, and sizes, you may need to adjust your cook time.

Adding Flavors & Garnishes

Cooking vegetables in the air fryer is one of my favorite ways to jazz up frozen veggies. The texture is so much better than microwaving (no mushy veggies here!) and it allows for the perfect base to add layers of flavor.

If it’s a busy weeknight, I keep this side dish simple with a little butter, a squeeze of lemon juice, and some sliced almonds, inspired by my favorite green beans almondine.

Here are a few of my other favorite ways to garnish and add flavor:

• Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce – a super bright addition!
• Toss with ranch seasoning before cooking, or finish with a drizzle of ranch dressing.
• Use the maple dijon vinaigrette from this brussels sprout salad
• Toss with goat cheese and pine nuts like in this sauteed version
• Sprinkle on chopped hazelnuts, almonds, or walnuts

What to Serve with Green Beans

Ok, so you have the green bean part down (awesome!) but if you need a few menu ideas, try one of these delicious combinations:

• Parmesan Rosemary Fish
• Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
• White Wine Mac and Cheese (or any mac and cheese!)
• On that note, any creamy pasta like fettuccine or garlic and scallops pasta
• They’ll pair with just about any main meat dish from chicken, salmon, steak, shrimp…you name it.

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!