Air-Fryer Tempura Green Beans: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Tempura green beans are a delicious, healthier alternative to French fries. This easy-to-make snack is perfect for picky eaters and can be whipped up in minutes. To make tempura green beans in an air fryer, you'll need fresh green beans, flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. The green beans are coated in a light batter, then cooked in the air fryer until golden and crispy. The result is a tasty, low-carb snack or side dish that's perfect for any occasion.

Preparing the green beans

Firstly, wash and dry your green beans. It is important to start with fresh green beans as they provide a better taste and texture. Frozen green beans tend to become soggy and won't give you the desired crispness. Look for beans that are nice and green and have a good snap to them.

Once you have selected and cleaned your green beans, it's time to trim them. Use a pair of kitchen scissors or a sharp knife to cut off the ends of the beans and discard them. The ends can be tough and woody, which is not pleasant to eat.

Now, you will need to set up an assembly line for dredging and coating the green beans. Take three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place some all-purpose flour. You can season the flour with salt and pepper if desired. The flour will lightly coat the beans and provide a base for the egg to stick to. In the second bowl, beat a couple of eggs. Make sure to beat them well so they can easily coat the green beans. The eggs will also help the breadcrumbs adhere to the beans. If you want to make this recipe vegan, you can use an egg substitute or a mixture of water and cornstarch. In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and your choice of seasonings. For classic tempura flavour, use panko breadcrumbs. You can also use a mixture of panko and regular breadcrumbs. Add garlic powder, onion powder, and season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also experiment with other seasonings like smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or dried herbs.

Now that your assembly line is ready, it's time to start dredging and coating the green beans. Take a handful of green beans and drop them into the first bowl with the flour. Toss them around until they are coated, then shake off any excess flour. Next, dip the floured beans into the beaten eggs, making sure they are well coated. Finally, place them into the bowl with the breadcrumb mixture and toss until they are fully coated. Make sure each green bean is thoroughly coated by the time you finish this process.

Once all your green beans are coated, you are ready to place them into the air fryer. Arrange the coated green beans in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not crowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Lightly spray the green beans with cooking spray before air frying. This will help you achieve a golden brown colour and a crispy texture without the need for excess oil.

Now your green beans are prepared and ready for the air fryer! Follow the remaining steps in your chosen recipe to cook and serve your Tempura Green Beans. Enjoy!

Making the batter

First, prepare your green beans by washing and drying them. Cut off any ends and discard them.

Next, set up your assembly line. Place the all-purpose flour in one bowl. You can also add seasonings to the flour if you like. In a second bowl, beat the eggs. In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with any desired seasonings. You can use regular or panko breadcrumbs. For extra flavour, add some grated parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, or smoked paprika.

Now, you are ready to start battering the green beans. Take a handful of beans at a time and drop them into the bowl of flour. Toss them around until they are coated, then shake off any excess flour.

Using tongs, dip the floured beans into the bowl of beaten eggs, ensuring they are well coated. Finally, drop the egged beans into the breadcrumb mixture and toss until they are fully coated.

Make sure each green bean is thoroughly coated with each layer—this will ensure a crispy texture. It can be helpful to use one hand for the dry ingredients and the other for the wet ingredients to avoid clumping.

Once all the green beans are battered, you can move on to the frying process.

Coating the green beans

Firstly, prepare your assembly line of bowls. You will need three bowls for this process. In the first bowl, place some all-purpose flour. You can also season the flour with salt and pepper if desired. The flour will help the egg stick to the green beans and create a base for the coating. In the second bowl, beat two large eggs. The eggs will act as a binding agent and help the breadcrumbs adhere to the beans. In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with your desired seasonings. For a classic tempura flavour, use panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add Parmesan cheese to this mixture for an extra savoury kick.

Now that your assembly line is ready, it's time to start coating the green beans. Take a handful of green beans at a time and drop them into the first bowl with the flour. Toss them around until they are evenly coated. Shake off any excess flour, as too much flour can make the coating soggy.

Next, move on to the second bowl with the beaten eggs. Using tongs, dip each floured green bean into the egg mixture, ensuring that they are well coated. Allow any excess egg to drip back into the bowl before moving on to the next step.

Finally, it's time to add the crispy coating. Drop the egg-coated green beans into the bowl with the breadcrumb mixture. Shake the bowl or use your hands to ensure that each green bean is thoroughly coated with the breading. Make sure there are no wet spots on the beans, as this can affect the crispness of the final product.

Once all your green beans are coated, you are ready to move on to the air-frying step. Arrange the coated green beans in a single layer in the air fryer basket, spraying them lightly with cooking spray to promote even browning and crispness. Follow the cooking instructions provided by your chosen recipe, and enjoy your delicious, crispy tempura green beans!

Cooking the tempura green beans

Now that you have preheated your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and prepared your green beans, it's time to cook them to perfection!

Start by setting up an assembly line of three bowls. The first bowl should contain all-purpose flour, which will be used to coat the green beans. In the second bowl, beat a couple of eggs. The third bowl will contain the breading mixture. Combine Panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and season with salt and pepper according to your preference.

Take a handful of green beans and drop them into the first bowl, ensuring they are well coated with flour. Shake off any excess flour, then dip them into the beaten eggs. Finally, coat them thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat this process until all your green beans are well-coated.

Arrange the coated green beans in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Lightly spray the green beans with cooking spray to help achieve a golden brown colour and a crispy texture.

Set the air fryer temperature to 350°F to 400°F and cook the green beans for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispiness. Remember to shake the basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure even frying.

Once they're done, remove the crispy green beans from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. You can pair them with your favourite dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing, marinara sauce, or spicy Sriracha-horseradish sauce for an extra kick!

Enjoy your delicious and healthy Tempura Green Beans!

Serving suggestions

These tempura green beans are best served immediately while they are still hot and crispy. They make a great side dish or a healthy snack and can be served with a variety of dipping sauces for an extra flavour kick.

Try serving them with ranch dressing, marinara sauce, aioli, barbecue sauce, spicy ketchup, or even a spicy Sriracha-horseradish sauce. For a healthier option, serve with a simple mayonnaise mixed with fresh lemon juice.

If you're making these as part of a larger meal, they pair well with Air Fryer Tilapia, Air Fryer Meatloaf, or Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks. They also go well with Air Fryer Chicken Wings, Air Fryer Hot Dogs, or Air Fryer Hamburgers.

Frequently asked questions