Easy Air Fryer Green Beans (with Bacon & Onion)

Crispy, savory, and ready in minutes—these Air Fryer Green Beans are the weeknight side you’ll make on repeat. Fresh green beans get tossed in olive oil and spices, then crowned with chopped bacon and onion so everything crisps up beautifully. Bonus: options for frozen and canned green beans included.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fast: 10–12 minutes in the air fryer.

• Crispy & smoky: Bacon and onion add flavor and crunch.

• Flexible: Works with fresh, frozen, or canned green beans.

• Low effort: One basket, minimal cleanup.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 1 lb (450 g) green beans, washed and trimmed

• 3 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into ½-inch pieces

• ¼ cup (40 g) yellow onion, chopped

• 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp ground black pepper

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• Optional: lemon wedges for serving

• Equipment: Air fryer (tested with Instant Vortex Plus 6-qt), mixing bowl, tongs or spatula.

Step-by-Step Instructions (Fresh Green Beans)

1. Prep
   Wash and trim green beans; cut in half if long. Chop onion and slice bacon into ½-inch pieces.

2. Season
   In a medium bowl, combine green beans, olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Toss until evenly coated.

3. Load the Basket
   Add seasoned green beans to the air fryer basket in an even layer. Scatter onion and bacon on top (don’t mix in).
   Pro Tip: Keeping bacon/onion on top helps them crisp and prevents pieces from falling to the bottom.

4. Air Fry
   Cook at 370°F (188°C) for 10–12 minutes, shaking or stirring once at the 6-minute mark.

   • It’s done when bacon is crisp and green beans look slightly browned and wrinkled.

5. Finish & Serve
   Transfer to a serving dish. Squeeze over fresh lemon juice if you like. Serve hot.

Instructions for Frozen Green Beans

1. Rinse & Dry: Rinse frozen beans under cool water to remove ice crystals; dry very well with paper towels so they roast instead of steam.

2. Proceed: Follow Steps 2–5 above. (Cook time may lean to the longer end.)

Instructions for Canned Green Beans

1. Drain & Dry: Drain well. Spread beans on paper towels and pat gently to remove as much moisture as possible (don’t smash).

2. Proceed: Follow Steps 2–5 above. (Texture will be softer than fresh.)

Recipe Notes & Tips

• Check halfway: Air fryers vary. Peek at 5–6 minutes and adjust time to your crispness preference.

• Bacon thickness matters: Using thinner bacon? Check earlier (around 5 minutes).

• Vegetarian option: Simply omit the bacon; add 1–2 tbsp shaved almonds or chopped peanuts for crunch.

• Even cooking: Don’t overcrowd the basket—work in batches if needed.

• Model note: Tested in an Instant Vortex Plus 6-qt; timing may vary by brand and basket depth.

Variations & Tasty Add-Ons

• Cheesy: Grate Parmesan over the beans right after cooking.

• Umami boost: Toss with sautéed mushrooms near the end.

• Nutty crunch: Top with shaved almonds or chopped peanuts.

• Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili crisp before serving.

• Garlicky: Swap garlic powder for 2 minced fresh garlic cloves added at the 6-minute shake.

What to Serve With

Great beside roast chicken, steak, grilled salmon, meatloaf, burgers, or holiday mains. They also make a craveable snack straight from the basket.

Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: 3–4 days in an airtight container.

• Reheat: Air fryer 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes until hot and crisp.

• Freezer: Not ideal (texture softens), but you can freeze up to 2 months; re-crisp in the air fryer.

Troubleshooting

• Soggy beans? They weren’t dry enough (especially with frozen/canned beans) or the basket was crowded.

• Bacon not crisp? Spread pieces more evenly on top and add 1–2 minutes.

• Too salty? Reduce added salt if your bacon is salty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these without oil?
Yes—use a light spray. Texture will be a bit less glossy/crisp.

Can I use turkey bacon?
Absolutely. It crisps faster; start checking at 5 minutes.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes—cook in batches so the beans roast, not steam.

Nutrition (Estimated per Serving)

Based on 4 servings, includes olive oil and thick-cut bacon; lemon not included.
Calories: ~140 | Fat: ~10 g | Carbs: ~9 g | Protein: ~5 g | Fiber: ~3 g
(Values vary by brand and bacon thickness.)

Printable Recipe Card

Easy Air Fryer Green Beans with Bacon & Onion
Prep: 10 min | Cook: 10–12 min | Total: ~20 min | Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) green beans, trimmed

• 3 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into ½-inch pieces

• ¼ cup (40 g) chopped yellow onion

• 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• Lemon wedges, to serve (optional)

Instructions

1. Toss green beans with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

2. Add beans to air fryer basket in an even layer. Scatter onion and bacon on top.

3. Air fry at 370°F (188°C) for 10–12 minutes, shaking at 6 minutes.

4. When bacon is crisp and beans are browned and slightly shriveled, remove.

5. Finish with lemon juice, serve warm.

Notes

• Check earlier if using thin-cut bacon.

• For frozen or canned beans, dry very well before seasoning to avoid steaming.

Enjoy your crispy, smoky, and ridiculously easy Air Fryer Green Beans!

enjoy!