# Air Fryer Green Beans with Garlic and Chili

> To make air fryer green beans, trim 450 g of green beans, toss with 1 tbsp oil and a pinch of salt, and air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 7 minutes, shaking halfway. Add thinly sliced garlic and red chili tossed in oil and cook for 2-3 minutes more, until the beans are blistered and crisp-tender. Toss with tamari and sesame oil.

Source: https://savourrecipes.com/recipe/air-fryer-green-beans
Author: Daniel Okafor | Published: Oct 12, 2026
Categories: Air Fryer Recipes, Healthy Recipes
Collections: Summer Recipes
Tags: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free, Low Calorie

Air fryer green beans blister and wrinkle at the edges in about 10 minutes, much like they do in a very hot wok, with none of the oil splatter. Thinly sliced garlic and chili go in only for the last few minutes so they turn golden rather than bitter. A splash of tamari and toasted sesame oil at the end brings it all together.

## Key facts

- Prep time: 5 mins
- Cook time: 10 mins
- Total time: 15 mins
- Yield: 4 servings
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Method: Air frying
- Calories: 90 per serving

## Ingredients

### Green beans

- 450 g green beans, trimmed; also called string beans or French beans
- 1 tbsp neutral oil, such as avocado or canola (rapeseed) oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
### Garlic and chili

- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 red chili, thinly sliced, seeds removed for less heat
- 1 tsp neutral oil
### To finish

- 2 tsp tamari, gluten-free; or regular soy sauce
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp sesame seeds (optional)

## Equipment

- Air fryer
- Mixing bowl
- Small bowl
- Clean kitchen towel

## Instructions

1. **Preheat and prep.** Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3 minutes. Trim the stem ends of the beans, wash them and dry them well with a clean towel. Toss the beans in a mixing bowl with 1 tbsp of oil and the salt.
2. **Air fry the beans.** Spread the beans in the basket in an even layer, no more than 2 deep. Air fry for 7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until they start to blister and wrinkle in spots.
3. **Add the garlic and chili.** Toss the sliced garlic and chili with 1 tsp of oil in a small bowl and scatter them over the beans. Shake the basket and air fry for another 2-3 minutes, until the garlic is pale golden and the beans are blistered and tender with a slight bite. Watch closely; garlic turns bitter once it goes dark brown.
4. **Finish and serve.** Tip everything into the mixing bowl, drizzle with the tamari and sesame oil and toss to coat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve hot.

## Tips

- Dry the beans well after washing. Wet beans steam and turn dull instead of blistering.
- Thin French beans, sometimes sold as haricots verts, cook faster. Give them 4-5 minutes before adding the garlic.
- Slice the garlic rather than mincing it. Tiny pieces burn in seconds and can blow around the air fryer.

## Variations

- Lemon Parmesan: skip the chili, tamari and sesame oil and toss the cooked beans with lemon zest, a squeeze of juice and 20 g grated Parmesan (the dish will no longer be vegan).
- Sweet and spicy: add 1 tsp maple syrup and 1 tsp chili crisp with the tamari.
- Almond: finish with 2 tbsp toasted flaked almonds and a squeeze of lemon instead of sesame.

## Storage

- Fridge: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Reheat in the air fryer at 190°C (375°F) for 2-3 minutes, or in a hot pan for a minute, until hot.

## Nutrition per serving (estimate)

| Calories | Protein | Carbohydrates | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | 2.5 g | 9 g | 5.5 g |

## Frequently asked questions

### How long do you cook green beans in the air fryer?

Fresh green beans take 9-10 minutes in total at 200°C (400°F), shaken halfway. Thin French beans take 6-7 minutes and frozen green beans 12-14 minutes. They are ready when blistered in spots and tender with a slight bite.

### Can you air fry frozen green beans?

Yes. Don't thaw them. Toss the frozen beans with oil and salt and air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 12-14 minutes, shaking twice, adding the garlic and chili for the last 3 minutes. They come out a little softer than fresh beans.

### Do you need to blanch green beans before air frying?

No. Raw green beans cook through in about 10 minutes in the air fryer. Blanching first makes them wetter and softer, so they blister less.

### Why are air fryer green beans tough and shrivelled?

They have been cooked too long or with too little oil, or the beans were old and dry to begin with. Use fresh, firm beans, coat them evenly with oil and start checking at 8 minutes.

### How do you keep garlic from burning in the air fryer?

Slice it thinly instead of mincing it, coat it in a little oil and add it only for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Take it out as soon as it turns pale golden.

## Disclaimer

- Nutrition information is an estimate based on the listed ingredients. It changes with the brands, portion sizes and swaps you use.
- Read ingredient labels for allergens and for diet claims such as gluten-free or vegan. Products and their ingredients can change.
- Cooking times are a guide, since ovens, air fryers and slow cookers all run differently. Use a food thermometer and cook meat, poultry and fish to the safe internal temperatures in government food safety guidance.
- This recipe is general information, not medical or nutrition advice. If you have an allergy, a health condition or a special diet, check with a qualified health professional.