If you’re looking for the perfect side dish for literally anything — Thanksgiving, Christmas dinner, or just a random Tuesday night when you want to feel like you’ve got it all together — these air fryer green beans are it. They’re crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and tossed in the most simple but magical garlic butter sauce. Think of them as the glow-up version of steamed green beans: the kind that actually gets people excited about vegetables.
I make these all the time — especially during the holidays when oven space is precious and I need something that looks impressive but takes almost no effort. Plus, I think they turn out much crispier in the air fryer than they do in the oven! And, if you’re in the mood for more delicious side dishes to serve for dinner, you’ll love my buttery fondant potatoes, easy cajun butter corn ribs, and honey roasted carrots!
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Table of contents
Key Ingredients for Air Fryer Green Beans
Fresh Green Beans (12 oz): Go for fresh, not frozen, if you want that crisp-tender bite. Frozen ones hold too much water and can turn soggy.
Olive Oil: Just a touch helps the beans crisp up and gives them a light golden sheen. You only need 2 teaspoons!
Garlic Butter Sauce: A mix of salted butter and finely chopped garlic, heated just until fragrant and lightly browned. This adds rich, savory flavor without overpowering the beans. The key is to lightly cook the garlic so it’s aromatic, not bitter.
Lemon Juice & Flaky Salt: A quick squeeze of lemon at the end adds brightness and balances out the richness of the butter. The flaky salt adds a satisfying crunch — think “restaurant side dish” vibes.
How to Make Air Fryer Green Beans
Prep the beans: Trim the ends and pat them dry. Moisture = mushy beans.
Toss to coat: In a bowl, mix green beans with olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
Air fry: Add to the basket in a single layer and cook at 400°F for 8–11 minutes, shaking halfway through.
Make garlic butter: In a pan, melt butter and sauté garlic for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
Combine: Pour the garlic butter over cooked beans, toss, and finish with lemon juice, flaky salt, and black pepper.
Recipe Tips + Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here’s how to make sure your air fryer green beans come out perfectly crispy and flavorful every single time:
1. Don’t skip drying your beans:
If the green beans are wet, they’ll steam instead of crisp. Pat them dry thoroughly after washing.
2. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket:
Give them breathing room! When the basket’s too full, hot air can’t circulate, and you’ll end up with unevenly cooked or soggy beans.
3. Watch the garlic closely:
Garlic burns fast. Keep the heat low and remove the butter from the stove as soon as it smells fragrant. Burnt garlic turns bitter and can ruin the flavor balance.
4. Adjust the cooking time based on your air fryer:
Every model is a little different — smaller air fryers cook faster. Check around the 8-minute mark.
5. Don’t skip the finishing touches:
A squeeze of lemon and sprinkle of flaky salt make these beans go from “good” to “restaurant-level delicious.” Those final details really matter.
Serving Suggestions + Variations
These garlic butter air fryer green beans go with everything — from hearty holiday mains to quick weeknight dinners.
Perfect Pairings:
- Serve them alongside mashed potatoes and your favorite plant-based roast for Thanksgiving.
- Add them to a weeknight bowl with rice, tofu, or veggie meatballs.
- Pair them with mac and cheese for a cozy, balanced meal.
Fun Variations:
- Lemon Pepper Style: Add lemon zest and extra pepper before serving for a citrusy twist.
- Parmesan Garlic Green Beans: Add 1 tablespoon of grated parmesan after tossing in butter.
- Spicy Green Beans: Sprinkle chili flakes or drizzle chili crisp on top for heat.
- Asian-Inspired: Toss in a splash of soy sauce and sesame oil instead of butter.
And, if you love easy vegetable sides like this, or need more recipe inspo, make sure to check out my other side dish recipes!
FAQ
Yes, it can be. Use vegan sugar (some white sugars are processed with bone char) and ensure ketchup, soy sauce, etc. are vegan. For gluten-free, swap dark soy saCook for 8–11 minutes, shaking halfway through. They should be crisp-tender and lightly golden by the end.
Nope! Skip the boiling. Fresh green beans cook perfectly in the air fryer without blanching.
They were likely overcrowded or not dried properly. Always pat dry and air fry in a single layer for best results.
The air fryer cooks faster and gives a slightly crisper texture with less oil. Oven-roasted beans take longer (around 20–25 minutes at 425°F) but can be made in larger batches.
Air Fryer Green Beans with Garlic Butter
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
Beans
- 12 ounces green beans
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, (and more for garnish at the end)
- lemon juice, (for garnish, to taste)
- flaky salt or coarse sea salt, (for garnish, to taste)
Garlic butter sauce
- 1-2 tbsp salted butter
- 1-1.5 tsp minced garlic
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for 2–3 minutes. This helps the beans crisp evenly.
- Season the Beans: Toss 12 ounces of trimmed green beans with olive oil, salt, and black pepper until well-coated.
- Air Fry the Green Beans: Arrange the beans in a single layer in your air fryer basket (you may need to work in batches). Air fry for 8–11 minutes, shaking halfway through for even cooking.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: While the beans cook, melt salted butter in a small pan over medium-low heat. Add finely chopped garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds, until fragrant and gently browned.
- Toss & Serve: Once the green beans are done, drizzle the garlic butter over them and toss to coat. Finish with a squeeze of lemon, flaky salt, and extra pepper before serving. Don't skip this step – seasoning in layers in important!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
