Some days, the oven feels like a personal attack. The air fryer, however, is more like that friend who shows up with snacks and no judgment. These green beans are the happy medium between wanting fries and wanting to pretend you’re eating vegetables on purpose.
They cook in minutes, get all blistery at the edges, and wear a dusting of Parmesan like they’re posing for an Italian Vogue spread. You can eat them straight from the basket while scrolling TikTok, or set them in a bowl and call it an appetizer — both work, both feel smugly clever.
What makes them magic is the ratio of effort to elegance: a quick toss in oil and garlic, a brief trip in the air fryer, and you have something that could live on a dinner party table or your couch tray. The kind of side that doesn’t make you choose between feeling cozy and feeling chic.
Pair them with roasted chicken, burgers, or nothing at all — they’re the sort of snack that works as a main character if you let them. And yes, the Parmesan snowstorm at the end is mandatory.
Air Fryer Garlic-Parmesan Green Beans
Ingredients
- 12 oz 340 g fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup 20 g finely grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes or lemon zest for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Toss the green beans with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket (work in batches if needed).
- Air fry for 6–7 minutes, shaking halfway, until crisp-tender and lightly blistered.
- Transfer to a serving plate and immediately sprinkle with Parmesan (and red pepper flakes or lemon zest if using).
- Serve warm — ideally with a smug smile.
Notes
• Frozen green beans can be used — just add 2 extra minutes of cook time.
• Works as a snack, side, or apéro nibble alongside a glass of something cold.