Air-Frying String Beans: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Cooking string beans in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a tasty side dish. You can use fresh or frozen green beans, and the cooking time is minimal. All you need to do is trim and dry the beans, toss them in olive oil, salt and pepper, and then cook them in the air fryer for around 8 minutes. You can also cook them from frozen, without any oil or seasoning, in five-minute increments.

Trimming the ends of the beans

To trim the ends of the beans, start by rinsing the beans in a colander under cool water. This will help to remove any dirt or debris. Once the beans are clean, use a sharp knife to trim the stem end of each bean. You can leave the tail ends intact. If you are working with larger beans, you may also need to cut them in half so that they are all relatively equal in size. This will help them cook more evenly in the air fryer.

After trimming, dry the beans thoroughly with paper towels or a kitchen towel. This step is important because it helps the oil and seasonings adhere to the beans. It also helps to prevent the beans from becoming soggy during cooking.

Once the beans are trimmed, dried, and seasoned, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the beans in batches to ensure even cooking.

How to season the beans

Seasoning the beans is a simple process. First, trim the stem ends from the beans, and cut larger beans in half so they are equal in size. Then, pat the beans dry with paper towels or a kitchen towel. Next, toss the beans with a little bit of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. You can also add garlic salt or sea salt for extra flavour.

The temperature to cook the beans at

The temperature you cook your string beans at in an air fryer depends on the type of air fryer you have and how crispy you want your beans. It's recommended that you preheat your air fryer to between 350ºF and 380ºF. If you want your beans to be crisp-tender, you should cook them at 375°F for around 8 minutes. If you want to cook them from frozen, you can cook them in five-minute increments at this temperature, tossing the basket each time to distribute the beans. If you want to cook them for less time, you can cook them at 380ºF for 10 minutes. If you want to pause the air fryer to shake the beans to ensure they cook evenly, you should cook them at 350ºF for 5 minutes.

How long to cook the beans for

The cooking time for string beans in an air fryer depends on the quantity of beans and the temperature of the air fryer.

If you are cooking a pound of string beans, you should air fry them for around 8 minutes at 375°F. If you are cooking a smaller quantity, you can cook them for 5 minutes at 350ºF or 380ºF. If you are cooking frozen beans, you can cook them in 5-minute increments, tossing the basket each time to distribute the beans.

You can tell when the beans are done when they are crisp-tender and blistered.

Whether to cook the beans in batches

When cooking string beans in an air fryer, it is generally recommended to cook them in batches. This is because air fryers have a limited capacity, and cooking too many beans at once can lead to uneven cooking. By cooking in batches, you ensure that the beans cook evenly and get that crisp-tender texture.

To cook string beans in an air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer to a temperature between 350°F and 380°F. While the air fryer is heating up, prepare the beans by trimming the stem ends and patting them dry with paper towels or a kitchen towel. You can leave the tail ends on.

Next, toss the beans with a light coating of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic salt or sea salt for extra flavour. Make sure the beans are evenly coated.

Now you're ready to cook the beans in batches. Transfer half of the beans to the air fryer basket and spread them out into a single layer. Air fry for 5 to 8 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispness. Pause the air fryer halfway through cooking and give the basket a shake or toss to redistribute the beans and ensure even cooking.

Repeat this process with the remaining beans. You may need to cook in two batches or more, depending on the quantity of beans and the size of your air fryer. By cooking in batches, you'll achieve that perfect blistered, crisp-tender texture that makes air-fried string beans so delicious.

Frequently asked questions