These air fryer green beans are a simple vegan side dish that goes with just about any meal! Seasoned with garlic powder, plant-based Parmesan, and lemon juice, they’re full of flavour and oh-so-easy to make.
Whenever there’s a new kitchen appliance on the scene, it’s hard to know if it will end up being a passing fad or the next slow cooker—something we rely on for easy weeknight meals. I think it’s safe to say that the air fryer has definitely earned its place in the kitchen at this point. I mean, air fryer asparagus , air fryer orange tofu , air fryer chocolate chip cookies , and now these air fryer green beans—what’s not to love?!
Cooking green beans in the air fryer is a game changer. They’re cooked quickly and evenly with just a little bit of oil, making them a great snack or side dish. The air fryer maintains that signature crunchy-crisp texture of fresh green beans and cooks them to absolute perfection.
Air frying uses hot air to cook food quickly. The green beans are placed in the fryer basket and a fan circulates hot air around the entire appliance, speeding up the cooking process. This method locks in moisture and flavor, while also creating a crispy outer layer—without adding a lot of extra fat.
Best of all, air fryer green beans are incredibly easy to make! Simply toss the green beans with oil, add some seasonings, pop them in your air fryer, and voila! Perfectly cooked green beans in minutes. Friends, you’ll never want to cook green beans any other way after you try this recipe!
Notes on Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Green beans – Yellow beans or other heirloom varieties can be used as well; just note that if they’re thinner or thicker than the average green bean, the cooking time will need to be adjusted accordingly.
- Oil – Olive oil or any other cooking oil you like or have on hand; cooking spray can be used, too.
- Garlic powder
- Sea salt
- Ground black pepper – Freshly ground has the most flavour!
- Vegan Parmesan cheese – Use store-bought or homemade vegan Parmesan.
- Lemon juice
What Part of the Green Bean Do You Trim?
You really only have to trim the top stem from green beans—in other words, the part that attaches to the plant. The bottom of the bean can be left on, or you can trim that too for a more uniform appearance. It’s up to you!
How to Make Air Fryer Green Beans
Making green beans in the air fryer is easy as can be! Here’s what you’ll need to do.
Season the beans. Place the trimmed green beans in a large bowl. Add the oil, garlic powder, sea salt, and ground black pepper, then toss to coat.
Add the beans to the air fryer basket. Transfer the seasoned green beans to your air fryer basket and arrange them in a single layer.
Cook. Turn the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 4 minutes. Shake the basket, top the beans with the vegan Parmesan cheese and toss to coat. Air fry again for 5 to 6 minutes.
Finish. Squeeze lemon juice over the green beans, toss, then serve.
Tips for Success
Here are some simple tips for perfect air fryer green beans:
- Don’t crowd the beans. It’s better to make the beans in two batches than to crowd them in the air fryer. Giving them space is key to cooking them evenly!
- Shake the air fryer basket. Don’t skip this part! You really want to shake the basket enough that the green beans turn. This also helps them cook evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer if needed. Some air fryer models need to be preheated, while others do not. If yours does, preheat it before adding the green beans.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve these air fryer green beans as a snack with marinara for dipping, or go the traditional route and serve them as a side dish. I love them with vegan meatloaf and mashed potatoes , or serve them as a side with vegan stuffed shells or creamy garlic mushroom pasta .
Variations
This is one of those wonderful recipes where you just can’t go wrong—add your favourite seasonings and make these air fryer green beans your own!
Give them an Asian-inspired spin by cooking them with sesame oil and garlic powder, then garnishing them with sesame seeds when they’re done cooking. You can also skip the Parmesan and lemon and instead finish them with a drizzle of tahini dressing , chili crisp, or peanut sauce .
How to Store Leftovers
Leftover green beans can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, return them to a 400ºF air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes. You can also eat them chilled or heat them up in the microwave, although they’ll be softer this way.
Can I Freeze This Recipe?
Unfortunately, air fryer green beans do not freeze well. The texture will become mushy and the flavour won’t be as bright and fresh.
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans , throughly washed, with ends trimmed and cut in half
- 2 teaspoons oil , or use an oil spray
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon vegan Parmesan cheese , grated
- Squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions
- Once cleaned and ends trimmed and cut in half, place the green beans in a bowl. Add in the oil, garlic powder, sea salt and ground black pepper. Toss to coat and combine.
- Add the green beans in a single layer in your air fryer.
- Air fry for 400°F for 4 minutes. Shake, top with the vegan Parmesan cheese and toss to coat, air fry again for 5-6 minutes.
- Squeeze lemon all over, toss to combine, then transfer to a plate to enjoy!
Air Fryer Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans throughly washed, with ends trimmed and cut in half
- 2 teaspoons oil or use an oil spray
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon vegan Parmesan cheese grated
- Squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions
- Once cleaned and ends trimmed and cut in half, place the green beans in a bowl. Add in the oil, garlic powder, sea salt and ground black pepper. Toss to coat and combine.
- Add the green beans in a single layer in your air fryer.
- Air fry for 400°F for 4 minutes. Shake, top with the vegan Parmesan cheese and toss to coat, air fry again for 5-6 minutes.
- Squeeze lemon all over, toss to combine, then transfer to a plate to enjoy!
Nutrition
Air Fryer Green Beans https://jessicainthekitchen.com/air-fryer-green-beans/ January 27, 2023
Haupia is a classic Hawaiian dessert that’s cool, creamy, and full of tropical flavour. Also known as coconut pudding, my version of haupia is vegan, studded with pieces of juicy pineapple, and oh-so-easy to make.
I love a good vegan dessert recipe, from chocolate avocado ice cream to vegan carrot cake and pecan pie , but this vegan haupia recipe is definitely my new favourite. Truly, the hardest part is waiting for it to chill in the fridge!
What Is Haupia?
Haupia is a traditional Hawaiian dessert made with coconut milk, sugar , and cornstarch or arrowroot. (Arrowroot starch, or pia , is the more traditional option, but cornstarch is commonly used today.) Some recipes call for the addition of whole milk or even gelatin, but it’s not necessary—in fact, some argue that haupia made with gelatin isn’t haupia at all!
Haupia has a creamy texture similar to pudding or custard, but it’s often served cut into blocks or squares like Jello. Haupia is commonly served at luaus and other special occasions in Hawaii because of its delectable flavour and cultural significance.
Although haupia is most often served as a single layer pudding or sliced into squares, it’s also popular layered over cake for added flavor. And, if you go to a McDonald’s in Hawaii, you’ll even see haupia pies on the menu!
Notes on Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Full-fat coconut milk – Don’t substitute lite coconut milk! You really need full-fat here.
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract – While this isn’t in the traditional version, I love the creamy flavour vanilla adds to the recipe.
- Orange extract
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Pineapple tidbits – Fresh, canned, or frozen and thawed will all work here.
What Can I Use Instead of Orange Extract?
You can simply omit the orange extract, or substitute orange zest or an orange liqueur like Cointreau. For a different flavour, try using almond extract instead.
How to Make Haupia
Making haupia is easy, and similar to making other types of pudding. Here’s what you’ll need to do.
Bring the liquid to a boil. Whisk the coconut milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and orange extract in a saucepan set over medium-high heat. Continue to whisk until the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
Make cornstarch slurry. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Once the coconut mixture is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and whisk in the cornstarch slurry.
Add half of the pineapple. When the haupia mixture has thickened to the consistency of pudding, remove the pan from heat. Fold in half of the pineapple.
Assemble. Pour the haupia into an 8×8-inch pan. Smooth the top with an offset spatula. Scatter the remaining pineapple over the top and gently press it into the haupia so it sticks.
Chill. Place the pan in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours. Cut into 2-inch squares and serve cold.
Tips for Success
This haupia recipe couldn’t be easier, but I still have a few tips to help make sure it turns out perfect!
- Whisk the slurry well. To avoid lumps, make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved before adding it to the coconut milk, and then whisk constantly while adding it in.
- Make sure it’s thickened. Don’t remove the pan from the heat until the mixture is nice and thick. If you take it off the stovetop too soon, you’ll still have a delicious dessert, but it will be more creamy and pudding-like, rather than sliceable.
- Don’t rush it. Allow the haupia to cool completely before slicing it into squares, or it might be too soft to hold its shape.
Variations
Haupia can be easily customized with a variety of add-ins and flavours. Here are some of my favourite ideas:
- Add mango, passion fruit , or other fresh fruits for added flavor.
- Flavour the haupia with almond extract and top with sliced almonds.
- Top with macadamia nuts, coconut whipped cream , and toasted coconut for an island-inspired treat.
How to Store
Haupia should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. You can place parchment paper between the layers if you need to stack them.
Can I Freeze This Recipe?
Haupia can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Note that the texture may change upon freezing and thawing; it will be a bit more chewy.
Ingredients
- 15 ounces full-fat coconut milk , 1 can, 403 ml
- ¼ cup sugar , 50 grams
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon orange extract
- 4 ½ tablespoons cornstarch , 36 grams
- 4 tablespoons water , 60 ml
- 8 ounces pineapple tidbits , 227 grams, drained and cut into small cubes (optional)
Instructions
- Add coconut milk, sugar, vanilla and orange extract to a saucepan over medium high heat. Whisk until it starts to gently boil.
- In a small dish, combine the cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
- Once the coconut milk is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and quickly whisk in the cornstarch slurry.
- Once thickened to the consistency of pudding, remove from heat. Fold in half the pineapple pieces if using.
- Pour into an 8×8 pan. Use an offset spatula to smooth the top.
- Sprinkle the remaining pineapple on top and press it gently into the coconut mixture.
- Place the pan in the refrigerator to cool for at least 2 hours. Once cooled, slice into 2” squares. Serve cold.
