These Air Fryer Green Beans are full of garlicky goodness, finished off with freshly grated parm and fresh lemon. A great side for any main!

Serving plate of green beans with lemon wedges and grated parmesan.

Green Beans in the Air Fryer: The Next Best Thing!

I’m all about the air fryer veg sides lately, friends. Here’s why: they’re quick, easy, and you’re freeing up the stove and the oven. Not to mention, the flavor and texture are always on point.

These green beans were gobbled up.

A little garlic powder, salt, and pepper go a long way. Add to that some freshly grated parm and a fresh squeeze of lemon, and you’ve got yourself a nutritious side that pairs with most mains!

Simple Ingredients

  • Green beans. I like to use French green beans (haricots verts) because they’re long, skinny, and uniform in size. I also find they have a better texture and flavor. But this recipe will work with regular green beans as well.
  • Olive oil. A neutral oil like olive oil is perfect for this recipe.
  • Garlic powder. Normally I use garlic salt in place of sea salt if I want a garlicky flavor and am not using fresh garlic, but I was out! So I opted for garlic powder and it worked out great. I’m all about fresh garlic with green beans if I’m pan frying, but in the oven or air fryer at high heat, I like to avoid burned bits of garlic, so I opt for the powders.
  • Sea salt and pepper. To help the flavors POP.
  • Grated parmesan. Because a little cheese never hurt anyone. This really kicks the green beans up a few notches, but you could definitely serve them without if you prefer.
  • Fresh lemon. We’re using the zest and the juice here, friends. It makes the beans taste bright, citrusy, and balanced.

Green beans in glass mixing bowl with small bowls of spices and lemon halves.

How to Cook Green Beans in an Air Fryer

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 380º F.
  2. Rinse the green beans under cool water and trim the ends off.
  3. Pop the green beans into a large mixing bowl and drizzle them with olive oil, then sprinkle with the garlic powder, sea salt, and cracked black pepper. Toss well to evenly coat the beans. I just go in and toss with my bare hands to ensure the beans are evenly seasoned.
  4. Transfer the green beans to the air fryer basket once it’s heated, and cook for about 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
  5. Place the green beans onto a serving platter. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the beans and top them with freshly grated parmesan and lemon zest.

Green beans in air fryer basket.

Serving plate of green beans with lemon wedges and grated parmesan.

Useful Tools for This Recipe:

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  1. It’s easy and quick, taking only 8 minutes to cook
  2. Using the air fryer frees up the oven and stove top for your mains
  3. The flavors will pair easily with a variety of mains
  4. It’s a convenient side dish to incorporate into a holiday dinner spread

Serving plate of green beans with lemon wedges and grated parmesan.

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Need a Main Dish to Pair With These Green Beans?

Serving plate of green beans with lemon wedges and grated parmesan.

Get the Recipe:

Air Fryer Green Beans with Parmesan

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes
These Air Fryer Green Beans are full of garlicky goodness, finished off with freshly grated parm and fresh lemon. A great side for any main!
5 from 45 votes
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Ingredients

  • 1 lb fresh green beans, I like to use French green beans
  • 1 TBSP olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 lemon

Instructions 

  • Preheat the air fryer to 380º F.
  • Give the green beans a good rinse under cool water; trim the ends off.
  • Place the green beans into a large mixing bowl and gently pat them dry with paper towels. Drizzle them with olive oil, then add the garlic powder, sea salt, and cracked black pepper. Toss the green beans thoroughly to make sure they are evenly coated. I typically just use my bare hands to make sure all of the beans are nicely coated.
  • Transfer the green beans to the air fryer basket once it's heated and cook for 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
  • Pop the green beans onto a serving platter, squeeze the fresh lemon juice over the beans, and top them with freshly grated parmesan and lemon zest.
Author: Dana Sandonato
Course: Side Dish