These lemon garlic green beans are an easy way to add something fresh and vibrant to dinner. The air fryer makes them crisp yet tender, and the lemon and garlic are a great flavor combo for the warmer weather.
It’s a simple side dish that takes green beans to another level. We love it because you don’t need fancy ingredients to pull it off, and it works well with so many different main dishes.
And if you need a timeless recipe, our classic air fryer green beans might be for you.
Ingredients
- Green beans – Use firm beans with a vibrant green color.
- Oil – We like to use avocado oil, but you can also use vegetable, canola, olive, or sunflower oil.
- Garlic powder – Or granulated garlic. Fresh garlic can also work, but read the recipe tips section below.
- Lemon zest – Preferably from an organic lemon.
- Salt – Adjust the amount to taste.
- Black pepper – For some extra flavor; adjust the amount to taste.
- Fresh lemon juice – Use fresh lemon juice if possible. You can use bottled lemon juice, but we find it’s better with freshly-squeezed lemon juice.
Recipe Tips
- Dry the green beans after rinsing so that there isn’t too much extra moisture in the air fryer.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer, especially if you want the green beans to get a slight crisp.
- You can use freshly minced garlic instead of garlic powder, but it can brown quickly and turn bitter. We recommend adding it halfway through the cooking time to avoid burning the garlic. In general, we find garlic powder or granulated garlic easier for this recipe (fresh garlic won’t stick to the green beans).
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice if possible. We’ve found it makes a big difference in flavor. Also, adjust the amount of lemon juice you add to taste.
- The exact cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the green beans, your air fryer, and personal preference so keep an eye on them.
- For a slight twist, you can add some red pepper flakes before air frying or sprinkle with finely shredded Parmesan once the beans are done.
- Serve the green beans right away. They are best when they’re fresh.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
First, rinse and dry the green beans. Then trim the ends and add the beans to a mixing bowl.
Add the oil, garlic powder, lemon zest, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Toss to coat.
Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Then add the beans to the air fryer in one layer.
Air fry for about 8-11 minutes, shaking every 3-4 minutes, or until the beans are tender-crisp and browned to your liking.
The exact cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the green beans, your air fryer, and personal preference.
Remove the beans from the air fryer and toss with lemon juice.
Then serve right away as a side dish, optionally with some lemon wedges on the side. Enjoy!
Storage Tips
These green beans are best fresh out of the air fryer and served right away. If you have leftovers, place them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. We recommend eating them the next day since they’ll get slightly soggy over time.
To reheat them, you can microwave them until warm, but the air fryer is usually our go-to. Pick a low temperature like 325 degrees Fahrenheit and reheat them for just a few minutes until hot again. You won’t bring back their crisp, but it’ll help to dry them out a bit and reduce the sogginess.
Related Recipes
If you are searching for other air fryer side dishes, here are some you can try:
- Air Fryer Parmesan Baby Carrots
- Air Fryer Root Vegetable Medley
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts and Potatoes
- Air Fryer Peppers and Onions
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Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, more to taste
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Rinse and dry 1 pound green beans, then trim the ends. Add the green beans to a mixing bowl.
- Add 1 tablespoon oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon lemon zest, ¼ – ½ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper. Toss until the green beans are evenly coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Then add the green beans to the air fryer basket in one even layer.
- Air fry at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) for 8-11 minutes, shaking every 3-4 minutes, or until the beans are tender-crisp and lightly browned to your liking. The exact cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the green beans, your air fryer, and personal preference.
- Remove the green beans from the air fryer and toss with 2 teaspoons lemon juice. Serve right away with lemon wedges on the side if desired.
Video
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer, especially if you want the green beans to get a slight crisp.
- You can use freshly minced garlic but we find garlic powder or granulated garlic easier for this recipe. Fresh garlic won’t stick well to the green beans and often ends up at the bottom of the air fryer. If using fresh garlic, add it halfway through the cooking time.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice if possible. We’ve found it makes a big difference in taste compared to bottled lemon juice. Feel free to adjust the amount of lemon juice to taste.
- For a slight twist, add some red pepper flakes before air frying or sprinkle with finely shredded Parmesan once the beans are done.
- Serve the green beans right away since they are best fresh.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
