Frozen Green Beans in the Air Fryer

A bowl of cooked green beans fresh from the air fryer, garnished with lemon zest.

Frozen Green Beans in the Air Fryer

Learn how to cook frozen green beans in the air fryer for a fast, flavorful side dish that’s ready in minutes — no thawing required! These air-fried green beans are lightly seasoned, perfectly crisp-tender, and finished with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Makes servings

Recipe from: Deanne Frieders | This Farm Girl Cooks

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds frozen green beans keep frozen
1 Tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Juice and zest of 1 lemon

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat for 3–5 minutes.
Season the beans: Place the 1 ½ pounds frozen green beans in a mixing bowl — no need to thaw! Drizzle with 1 Tablespoon olive oil, sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper, and toss to coat evenly.
Arrange in a single layer: Add green beans to the air fryer basket in a single layer for the best texture.
Don’t overcrowd the basket; keeping the beans in a single layer ensures even crisping.
Air fry green beans: Cook for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time.
Note: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
Finish with lemon: Transfer beans to a serving dish. Drizzle with Juice and zest of 1 lemon, and serve hot with a few lemon wedges on the side.

Farm Girl Tips

If using French green beans, reduce the cook time slightly — they’re thinner and cook faster.

You can swap olive oil for avocado or grapeseed oil.

Cook time may vary depending on the size of your air fryer.

Storage

Refrigerate: Store cooled beans in an airtight container in the fridge or refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat: Skip the microwave and reheat in the air fryer or oven for a few minutes to bring back their crispness.
Freeze: Avoid re-freezing cooked beans — they’ll lose texture.

Nutrition