Air Fryer Green Beans with Garlic and Soy Sauce
Air fryer green beans cook until tender with lightly blistered edges, then get tossed with toasted garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil. They’re ready in about 15 minutes and make an easy vegetable side for salmon, chicken, rice bowls, or other weeknight dinners.
I like adding the garlic halfway through instead of at the beginning so it has time to toast without burning. Some of it falls through the air fryer basket as it cooks, so make sure to scoop up those crispy garlic pieces and add them back over the green beans before serving.
The soy sauce and sesame oil go on at the end, which keeps the green beans from getting too wet while they air fry and gives them a simple savory finish.
These go well with everything from Miso Salmon to Korean Beef Bowls, especially when you need a quick vegetable on the side.
What You’ll Need
Green beans: Fresh green beans work best here. Look for ones that are bright green and firm, then trim the stem ends before cooking.
Garlic: Six cloves may sound like a lot, but the garlic mellows as it cooks and gives the green beans most of their flavor.
Soy sauce: Add this after air frying so the beans can brown instead of steaming in the sauce.
Sesame oil: A little toasted sesame oil at the end adds a nutty flavor without overpowering the green beans.
Please scroll ⬇️ to the recipe card for the full ingredient amounts and instructions.
How to Make Air Fryer Green Beans
Start by washing the green beans and drying them really well. Extra water on the surface can make them steam more at the beginning instead of starting to brown.
Toss the green beans with avocado oil, then add them to the preheated air fryer. They don’t have to be in a perfectly flat single layer, but avoid packing them in too tightly.
About halfway through cooking, shake the basket and add the minced garlic. This gives the garlic enough time to toast without burning before the green beans are done.
Continue air frying until the beans are tender with some browned and blistered spots. I like them to still have a little bite rather than becoming completely soft.
While they finish cooking, mix the soy sauce and sesame oil in a small bowl.
Transfer the green beans to a serving dish and don’t forget the toasted garlic left at the bottom of the air fryer basket. Spoon it over the top, then drizzle everything with the soy sauce mixture and toss before serving.
Getting the Texture Right
✔️ Dry the beans well. Moisture on the outside can slow down browning.
✔️ Don’t pack the basket too tightly. A little overlap is fine, but the hot air still needs room to circulate.
✔️ Shake them halfway through. This helps the beans cook and brown more evenly.
✔️ Add the garlic later. Garlic cooks much faster than green beans and can burn if it goes in at the beginning.
✔️ Look for blistered spots. The beans should be tender with a few browned areas while still having a little bite.
✔️ Add the sauce after cooking. Soy sauce added too early can create extra moisture in the air fryer.
Can I Make Them Spicy?
Yes. Add a little chili crisp, chili oil, or red pepper flakes after cooking if you want some heat.
I would add it at the end with the soy sauce and sesame oil so you can easily adjust the spice level to taste.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Green Beans
These green beans work with a lot of easy dinners.
Serve them with Miso Salmon or Miso Cod for a simple fish dinner with rice. They’re also an easy side for Korean Beef Bowls when you want to add another vegetable.
For something outside of your usual Asian dinner rotation, they also go well with Air Fryer Blackened Tilapia.
Storing and Reheating
Store leftover green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes, just until warmed through. You can also use the microwave, but the green beans will be softer.
They’re best the day they’re made when the garlic is still crisp and the green beans have the most texture.
If you make these Air Fryer Green Beans with Garlic and Soy Sauce, I’d love to hear how they turned out! Leave a comment and rating below.
RECIPE
Air Fryer Green Beans with Garlic and Soy Sauce
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 pounds green beans, ends trimmed
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer. Preheat to 380°F.
- Prep the green beans. Wash and dry the green beans well, then toss with avocado oil.
- Start air frying. Add the green beans to the air fryer basket and cook for 10–12 minutes total.
- Add the garlic. About halfway through cooking, shake the basket and add the minced garlic. Continue air frying until the beans are tender with lightly browned and blistered spots.
- Mix the sauce. While the green beans finish cooking, stir together the soy sauce and sesame oil.
- Finish. Transfer the green beans to a serving dish. Scoop out any toasted garlic from the bottom of the air fryer basket and add it on top.
- Season and serve. Drizzle with the soy sauce mixture, toss, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Dry the green beans well before air frying.
- A little overlap is fine, but avoid packing the basket too tightly.
- Add the garlic halfway through so it has time to toast without burning.
- Shake the basket halfway through for more even cooking.
- The beans are ready when they’re tender with a few browned, blistered spots.
- Add the soy sauce and sesame oil after cooking.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
