Air Fryer Green Bean Chips: Quick, Easy, Healthy Snack!

Green bean chips are a tasty, healthy snack that can be made in an air fryer in less than 15 minutes. The process is simple: coat the green beans in oil and spices, then cook them in the air fryer. This method produces a crunchy, savoury snack with a perfect combination of spicy, salty, and tangy flavours.

How to prepare the green beans

Preparing the green beans is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure the best results. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare the green beans for air frying:

Firstly, start by rinsing and washing the green beans thoroughly. It is important to ensure they are clean and free from any dirt or impurities. You can use fresh or frozen green beans, but if using frozen, make sure to thaw them first and pat them dry to remove any excess liquid.

Next, trim the ends of the green beans. Remove any tough or stringy ends to improve the texture and taste. This step is important as the ends can be sharp, hard, and unpleasant to eat.

After trimming, cut the green beans to your desired length. You can leave them whole, or cut them into halves, thirds, or quarters, depending on your preference and the size of your air fryer basket. There is no need to cut them if you prefer longer beans, but ensure they fit comfortably in your air fryer with room to breathe.

Once washed, trimmed, and cut, place the green beans in a large bowl. At this stage, you can add your chosen seasonings and toss the beans to coat them evenly. You can use a variety of seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, chilli powder, or nutritional yeast. Get creative and experiment with different combinations to find your favourite flavour profile.

If you want to create a crispy coating, as in some green bean fries recipes, you will need to prepare an egg wash and breadcrumb mixture. Beat one or two eggs in a shallow bowl, and in a separate shallow bowl, combine breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and any desired seasonings. You can also add cornflour to the beans before coating, as this helps the batter stick better.

Now, it's time to coat the green beans. Take a handful of beans and dip them into the egg wash, ensuring they are well coated. Then, roll the beans in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs onto the beans to adhere. Repeat this process until all the green beans are coated.

Place the coated green beans on a parchment-lined baking tray or plate, making sure they are in a single layer with a little space between each one. This step ensures they cook evenly in the air fryer.

Your green beans are now ready to be placed into the air fryer! Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can affect crispiness.

How to make the coating

To make the coating for your green bean chips, you can use a variety of spices and seasonings. Firstly, wash and trim your green beans, removing any tough ends. You can then coat them in oil and spices, or for a crispier texture, dip them in whisked egg and then roll them in breadcrumbs.

For a simple coating, combine oil, salt, pepper, and spices such as amchur and chilli powder in a large bowl. Toss the green beans in the bowl until they are evenly coated.

For a crispier, coating, set up an assembly line with a shallow bowl of whisked eggs, and another shallow bowl containing the breading mixture. You can use a variety of breadcrumbs, such as panko, whole wheat, or gluten-free alternatives. Combine the breadcrumbs with grated parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir the mixture well.

Dip each green bean into the egg wash, ensuring it is well coated. Then roll the bean in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs onto the bean so they adhere. Repeat this process until all the beans are coated.

How to cook the chips

First, wash and trim your green beans. If you're making green bean chips, cut off the stem ends. If you're making fries, you can leave the ends on.

Next, prepare your seasoning. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or amchur powder. You can also add olive oil or avocado oil cooking spray to help the beans get crispy in the air fryer. Mix your chosen seasonings and oil in a large bowl.

Toss the green beans in the bowl to coat them evenly in the seasoning. You can also dip the green beans in whisked egg and then roll them in panko breadcrumbs for an extra crispy coating.

Preheat your air fryer to between 270-390°F. Place the green beans in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.

Air fry the green beans for 5-15 minutes, depending on how crispy you like them. Check on them a few times during cooking and toss them with tongs to prevent burning.

Once they're done, remove the green beans from the air fryer and let them cool. They will continue to crisp up as they cool. Enjoy your green bean chips!

How to store leftovers

To store leftovers of your air-fried green beans, place them in an airtight container. They can be kept in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat them, pop them back into the air fryer for about a minute.

If you want to keep your green beans for longer, you can freeze them. First, blanch the beans by boiling them for 2-4 minutes, depending on their size. Then, cool them in an ice bath for the same amount of time that you boiled them. Dry the beans with a paper towel, then place them in a resealable freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag. Label the bag with the date and amount, then freeze for up to 8-10 months. Frozen green beans can be added directly to casseroles, soups, or stir-fries without being defrosted first.

What to serve with the chips

Green bean chips are a great snack, but they can also be a side dish. Here are some ideas for what to serve with them:

Dips

Green bean chips are a great healthier alternative to potato chips, and like potato chips, they go well with dips. Try serving them with a dairy-free pizza dip, dairy-free ranch dip, or hummus. If you're not dairy-free, you can also try them with a homemade ranch dressing, regular ketchup, sriracha mayo, BBQ sauce, or even just a simple splash of lemon juice and a hint of lemon zest.

Proteins

Green beans are a great side dish to many proteins. Try serving them with Italian turkey meatloaf, oven-fried chicken tenders, or cream of mushroom chicken.

Other Sides

If you're serving your green bean chips as a snack, you might want some other sides to go with them. Try air fryer okra chips, air fryer sweet potato chips, or even some kale chips (if you're not a rabbit or someone with broken taste buds!).

Frequently asked questions