Love those delicious stir-fried Japanese green beans, but hate the calorie and fat numbers? Look no further than air fried frozen green beans! This simple recipe not only offers all the crunchy goodness of stir-fried Japanese green beans but also allows you to avoid using extra fat and calories.
If you love green beans, I also have a Southern comfort food recipe called Green Beans and Potatoes you might just love also!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Air fried green beans are a delicious and healthy alternative to stir fried green beans with fewer calories and less fat! They are diet friendly pretty much if you are low calorie, low carb, or on Weight Watchers.
Any air fryer will let you replicate those delicious Japanese green beans that are stir-fried in oil, totally killing your Weight Watchers points or other diet plan. This air fryer frozen green beans recipe gives you the exact same taste profile with a fraction of the calories and fat!
Forget about the mess and stove top oil splatters, because with an air fryer you can have guilt-free air fried green beans in just minutes. Read on to find out how easy it is to make these tasty treats right at home.
Just in case you don't have an air fryer, or need to make a larger quantity, I've included the oven roasting method instructions also!
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Ingredients
This recipe for air fried frozen green beans can also be used with fresh green beans when they are in season.
- Green Beans - frozen whole green beans, or frozen cut green beans.
- Olive oil - to air fry with.
- Garlic - fresh slivered garlic cloves, or garlic powder.
- Sesame seeds - raw sesame seeds, any color. Save some for the garnish also.
- Salt - to taste.
- Pepper - to taste.
- Toasted Sesame Oil - to season at the end.
- Soy Sauce - optional during the garnish stage, but completes the Japanese Green Bean flavor profile!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Air Fry Frozen Green Beans
You can air fry frozen green beans in just minutes. I save them for the last 15 minutes before serving dinner. That way they are still crunchy, hot, and at their best.
Step 1. Season with Garlic and Sesame Seeds
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 F for 5 to 10 minutes.
OVEN ROASTING METHOD: If you don't have an air fryer, or need to make a much larger batch than works in an air fryer, line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, and preheat the conventional oven to 400 F. - Add the frozen green beans to a large mixing bowl. On top of the green beans add the olive oil, salt, pepper, slivered garlic, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 2. Toss and Coat with Seasonings
- Toss all ingredients in the bowl so that all the seasonings and olive oil are evenly distributed.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 3. Spread in Air Fryer Basket
- Add the coated, seasoned frozen green beans to the air fryer basket and cook for 7 minutes. Open the air fryer basket and toss them about and return to cook for another 5 minutes.
OVEN ROASTING METHOD: Preheat your conventional oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Spread your seasoned frozen green beans on the baking sheet and roast for 8 minutes. Open and turn the green beans. Roast for a final 7 minutes.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 4. Platter and Serve
- Remove the air fryer basket and transfer the air fried green beans to a serving dish. Add the toasted sesame seed oil and sprinkle a few more sesame seeds on top as garnish. Toss and serve while piping hot!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these delicious Asian inspired air fried green beans with any meal. They do go perfectly though with our Korean Chicken Skewers, Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon, Miso Baked Branzino, Steamed Mantou Buns, and Foolproof Steamed White Rice.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Substitutions
Substitute fresh green bean also, cook for 8 minutes. Open the air fryer basket and toss them about and return to cook for another 6 minutes.
Variations
You can make various flavor profiles with this basic recipe for air fryer frozen green beans. Consider trying these savory flavors:
- Lemon Garlic - Instead of sesame oil, chili pepper flakes, and sesame seeds, season with olive oil, Italian seasoning, and lemon zest.
- Parmesan - During the second half of the air frying, transfer the green beans to a mixing bowl and toss with ¼ cup of shredded Parmesan cheese. Return to air fryer basket and air fry the remaining time. Omit the sesame seeds and toasted sesame oil also.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this dish.
Storage
Cover and refrigerate any leftover air fried green beans for up to three days. Reheat in the air fryer for about 4 minutes. They won't be quite as crunchy, but they will taste divine still.
Tips for Success
- Use the halfway air fryer time to turn the green beans so they don't over brown.
- Don't air fry using the toasted sesame seed oil, save it for very last to season with at the end. Toasted sesame oil can get burned easily.
- Air Fryers do vary with temperature and cook time. Adjust according to how your air fryer cooks.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can, cover and freeze for up to 3 months. They will not be as firm or crunchy, but they will taste delicious.
No, you can season and air fry the green beans frozen.
You can! If using fresh green beans, increase the first half of the cook time by 2 minute, and the second half by 1 minute.
The taste profile is exactly the same, just that air fried greens beans are much less fattening due to so very little oil needed to get the same results. Stir fried Japanese green beans have a lot of hidden fat and calories due to the stir-frying method of cooking them.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans
Ingredients
- 16 oz green beans frozen whole green beans, or frozen cut green beans
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic whole cloves slivered
- 2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil added after cooking!
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds plus extra for garnish
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce extra garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 F for 5 - 10 minutes.OVEN ROASTING METHOD: If you don't have an air fryer, or need to make a much larger batch than works in an air fryer, line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, and preheat the conventional oven to 400 F.
- Add the frozen green beans to a large mixing bowl. On top of the green beans add the olive oil, salt, pepper, slivered garlic, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes.16 oz green beans, 2 teaspoon olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Toss all ingredients in the bowl so that all the seasonings and olive oil are evenly distributed.
- Add the coated, seasoned frozen green beans to the air fryer basket and cook for 7 minutes. Open the air fryer basket and toss them about and return to cook for another 5 minutes. OVEN ROASTING METHOD: Preheat your conventional oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Spread your seasoned frozen green beans on the baking sheet and roast for 8 minutes. Open and turn the green beans. Roast for a final 7 minutes.
- Remove the air fryer basket and transfer the air fried green beans to a serving dish. Add the toasted sesame seed oil, a tablespoon of soy sauce (optional), and sprinkle a few more sesame seeds on top as garnish. Toss and serve while piping hot!
Notes
- Use the halfway air fryer time to turn the green beans so they don't over brown.
- Don't air fry using the toasted sesame seed oil, save it for very last to season with at the end. Toasted sesame oil can get burned easily.
- Air Fryers do vary with temperature and cook time. Adjust according to how your air fryer cooks.
Nutrition
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