Air Fryer Green Bean Fries Recipe: Crispy, Healthy, and Delicious
The Air Fryer Green Bean Fries Recipe is a healthier and delicious alternative to traditional deep-fried snacks. This recipe combines the crispiness of fries with the nutritious benefits of green beans, creating a guilt-free treat. To make these crispy green bean fries, start by washing and trimming the ends of fresh green beans. Next, dip the beans in a light batter made from flour, egg, and seasonings of your choice, such as garlic powder and paprika. For an extra crispy texture, coat them in breadcrumbs or panko. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F and arrange the coated green beans in a single layer in the basket, making sure they don’t overlap. Cook for about 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The result is a perfectly crisp, golden brown snack that is low in calories and full of flavor. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce for a tasty appetizer!
Air Fryer Green Bean Fries Recipe: Crispy, Healthy, and Delicious
If you’re looking for a healthy, crispy snack or side dish that’s packed with flavor, look no further than air fryer green bean fries. These fries are a perfect alternative to traditional potato fries and offer a great way to enjoy a nutritious vegetable in a fun, crispy form. Plus, they’re simple to make and cook up quickly in the air fryer, making them a go-to recipe for busy weekdays or when you’re craving something light yet satisfying.
Green beans are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making them a great choice for anyone looking to add more veggies to their diet. When transformed into fries, they become a guilt-free snack or side that you’ll want to make over and over again.
In this detailed recipe, we’ll walk you through how to make these crispy, crunchy air fryer green bean fries. We’ll also break down the prep time, active time, nutritional info, and provide helpful tips to ensure your fries turn out perfect every time!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb fresh green beans (trimmed)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for a gluten-free option)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Panko works best for extra crispiness)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for extra flavor)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- Olive oil spray (or your preferred cooking spray)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Green Beans:
- Start by washing and trimming the green beans. You can cut them into smaller pieces (about 3-4 inches long) for a more “fry-like” texture or keep them whole.
- Set up the Breading Station:
- In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- In another shallow bowl, add the beaten egg.
- In a third shallow bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
- Coat the Green Beans:
- Take each green bean and first coat it in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s evenly covered. Then dip it into the egg wash, letting any excess drip off, and finally coat it in the breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture. Repeat this process until all the green beans are coated.
- Preheat the Air Fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
- Air Fry the Green Bean Fries:
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking. Place the coated green beans in a single layer inside the basket, making sure they’re not crowded. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry the green beans at 400°F (200°C) for about 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking and crisping.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Once the green bean fries are golden and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them as a snack or pair them with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch or a spicy mayo.
Prep Time:
- 10 minutes
Active Time:
- 15 minutes (including cooking time)
Resting Time:
- 0 minutes (enjoy immediately!)
Total Time:
- 25 minutes
Servings:
- 4 servings
Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: 140 kcal
- Protein: 6 g
- Fat: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Equipment:
- Air fryer
- Shallow bowls (for breading)
- Cooking spray (olive oil or non-stick spray)
- Knife and cutting board (for trimming green beans)
- Tongs (optional, for handling coated green beans)
Cuisines:
- American
- Vegetarian
- Healthy
Course:
- Snack
- Side Dish
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Green Bean Fries:
1. Healthier Than Regular Fries:
Traditional French fries are often deep-fried, which adds a lot of unhealthy fats and calories. Air frying allows you to enjoy that same crispy texture without all the added oil, making these green bean fries a healthier option.
2. Quick and Easy:
This recipe is perfect for those times when you need something quick. The air fryer cooks the green beans in a fraction of the time compared to traditional frying or baking methods, so you’ll have crispy fries ready in no time.
3. Versatile:
You can tweak the seasonings in this recipe to suit your preferences. For example, you could add cayenne pepper for a spicy kick or use Italian seasoning for a more herby flavor. The Parmesan cheese can also be swapped with nutritional yeast for a dairy-free version.
4. Kid-Friendly:
Green bean fries are a fun and healthy way to get kids to eat more vegetables. The crispy coating is delicious and can make green beans more appealing to younger eaters.
5. Budget-Friendly:
Green beans are typically inexpensive, and the rest of the ingredients (like breadcrumbs and Parmesan) are pantry staples. This makes the recipe affordable while still delivering great taste.
Air Fryer Green Bean Fries Variations:
- Gluten-Free:
Swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free alternative, like almond flour or rice flour. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed rice cereal for the coating to make this recipe entirely gluten-free. - Vegan Version:
To make the fries vegan, use a flaxseed egg substitute or a dairy-free milk with a bit of cornstarch for the egg wash. Replace the Parmesan cheese with vegan Parmesan or nutritional yeast. - Spicy Green Bean Fries:
If you enjoy a bit of heat, add cayenne pepper or chili powder to the breadcrumb mixture or sprinkle some red pepper flakes over the fries before air frying. - Cheese Lovers:
For an extra cheesy flavor, you can add more grated Parmesan or even some shredded mozzarella in the breadcrumb mixture. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time slightly to prevent burning.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Green Bean Fries:
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket:
The key to crispy fries is air circulation. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this can prevent the green beans from getting crispy. Cook in batches if necessary. - Use a Light Hand with Oil:
While you don’t need to deep-fry these, a light spray of olive oil will help the green bean fries achieve that golden, crispy texture. If you don’t have cooking spray, a small drizzle of olive oil will work too. - Shake the Basket Halfway Through:
To ensure even cooking and crisping, shake the basket halfway through the cooking time. This ensures that all the green beans are cooked to perfection. - Adjust Seasonings:
Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your taste. If you love garlic, add extra garlic powder, or if you want to go for an Italian flair, try using some dried oregano and basil in the breading.
Conclusion:
These air fryer green bean fries are a delicious, healthy, and simple snack or side dish that you’ll be making again and again. With a crispy coating and the natural sweetness of green beans, they’re a crowd-pleasing treat for everyone in the family. Whether you’re serving them alongside dinner or enjoying them as a midday snack, these fries are sure to satisfy your cravings for something crispy, flavorful, and light.
Try them out today and enjoy a guilt-free indulgence that’s full of taste and nutrients!
I am Ashley Doyle, Senior Specialist in Food & Policy at The Humane Society of the United States and editor at airfryermama.com. I am passionate about transforming our global food system by promoting delicious, climate-friendly, plant-based foods. After transitioning from law to food and public policy, I now work with major food service companies to develop plant-based initiatives and animal welfare policies. My goal is to drive institutional change to combat climate change and improve our food system.