It's so easy to prepare deliciously tender green beans using the air fryer, no thawing required! You can make this simple yet tasty side for air fryer frozen green beans in under 15 minutes.
Frozen green beans are so convenient to have in your freezer when you need a quick side dish for a weeknight dinner. And, they are even easier to prepare when you can throw them straight into your air fryer!
This recipe shows you an easy method for cooking air fryer frozen green beans, with no thawing needed. It also includes an (optional) sliced almond topping, for added crunch. Look out for my tip down below on how to get the best browning on your sliced almonds!
(And, if you're looking for a couple more quick and easy weeknight side dishes, try my recipes for air fryer smashed potatoes and microwave butternut squash.)
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Recipe ingredients
Ingredient notes
- Seasoning blend: you can use your favorite seasoning blend, such as Greek, Cajun, or lemon pepper seasoning. If you don't have a seasoning blend, I give a recipe to make your own in the tips and tricks section below.
- Salt: you don't need this if you're using a seasoning blend that already has salt. So, be sure to check the label on the seasoning bottle before adding additional salt.
- Oil: here I used olive oil, but you can also use your favorite oil for cooking, such as avocado oil or vegetable oil.
- Sliced almonds: the sliced almonds are optional, just to add a bit of visual interest and extra crunch. You could also substitute a different type of chopped nut if desired - pistachios would be delicious!
Step by step photos
Here's how to make this quick side dish for air fryer frozen green beans, step by step!
1. Add the frozen green beans, oil, and seasoning blend (and salt, if using) to a large bowl.
2. Next, toss the beans, oil and seasoning together.
3. Now we add the seasoned frozen green beans to the preheated air fryer basket. Spread them out in an even layer.
4. Cook the green beans for 4 minutes. Then shake the basket and spread out the green beans again.
5. If using the almonds, sprinkle them over the green beans now, around the edges (this helps them brown better!).
6. Cook the green beans for an additional 4 - 6 minutes, or until the green beans are cooked through and the almonds are browned (if using).
Tips and tricks
- When adding the green beans to the air fryer, be sure to scrape out the extra oil and seasonings that have stuck to the bowl, to drizzle over the green beans.
- If you don't have a seasoning blend on hand, you can just sprinkle on your favorite spices to taste. And don't forget the salt!
- You can also make your own seasoning blend and store the remainder in the pantry for later. One of my favorite combos is 1 tablespoon each of: salt, black pepper, paprika (regular or smoked), dried thyme, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- Cook times will vary based on your own individual air fryer, and how thick or thin your green beans are. You can easily check on the green beans during cooking by pulling out the air fryer basket.
Storage and Reheating
- Store any leftover green beans in an airtight container in the fridge. Leftovers will keep for 3 - 4 days.
- To reheat the leftover green beans, you can use the air fryer! Just air fry them at 375 degrees F for 3 - 4 minutes (not preheated).
Recipe FAQs
Not at all! The beauty of this recipe is that there is no thawing required.
I have tested this recipe with both cut and whole frozen green beans and it works well with either type. If your frozen green beans are very thin, you may want to start checking them at the lower end of the cook time listed (8 minutes). Also keep in mind that cook times will depend on your own air fryer and personal tastes.
No, the sliced almonds are entirely optional. But, they do add a nice crunch to the green beans. If you don't have almonds but want the added crunch, you could substitute a different type of chopped nut such as pistachio or pine nut.
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Print📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans
It's so easy to prepare frozen green beans using the air fryer - no thawing required! These green beans are well-seasoned and tender, and the (optional) almond topping adds a satisfying crunch.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: sides
- Method: air fry
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 16 ounces frozen green beans
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons seasoning blend, or to taste (see notes)
- salt, to taste (optional if seasoning blend contains salt)
- â…“ cup (36 g) sliced almonds (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees F for 3 - 5 minutes. (For exact preheating times, check your air fryer manual.)
- Meanwhile, place the frozen green beans in a large bowl. Drizzle the oil overtop. Sprinkle on the seasoning blend and salt (if using). Toss the green beans to coat them evenly with the oil and seasoning.
- When the air fryer is preheated, add the frozen green beans to the air fryer basket and spread them out in an even layer.
- Air fry for 4 minutes. Remove the basket and shake it well, then spread the green beans out again in an even layer. If using, sprinkle the sliced almonds evenly overtop the green beans in a ring shape, avoiding the middle section. (I found this shape led to the most even browning of the sliced almonds.)
- Air fry for an additional 4 - 6 minutes, or until the green beans are cooked through and the almonds are browned (if using).
Notes
Any seasoning blend that you enjoy will work to season the green beans. Some of my favorite options are Greek, Cajun, and lemon pepper.
If you don't have a seasoning blend, you can make your own. In a small jar, combine 1 tablespoon each: garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, black pepper, salt, and paprika (smoked or regular). Close the jar and shake well to combine. Store leftovers tightly covered in a cool, dark place.
You don't need to add salt (or you can add salt sparingly) to the green beans if the seasoning blend you are using already has salt. So, be sure to check the label on your seasoning container.
The nutrition information below is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and was calculated to include 2 teaspoons no-salt-added lemon pepper seasoning and ½ teaspoon salt, without the optional almonds. The nutrition counts of your dish will vary based on the brand and exact amounts of ingredients used. This nutrition estimate should not be considered a substitute for professional medical, health, or nutritional advice. See our full disclosure policy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ recipe
- Calories: 83
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 291 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 3.8 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 0.8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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