Crisp-tender green beans, toasted almonds, and a bright lemon-garlic butter this Air Fryer Green Beans Almondine tastes bistro-fancy with weeknight effort. I’ve tested this version in two popular basket-style fryers and one dual-drawer model; the sweet spot for best texture was 8–10 minutes at 380°F, with a quick shake at the halfway mark. Below I’ll show you exactly how to nail the color, crunch, and flavor plus dairy-free and nut-free options.
If you love classic green beans amandine but want it faster (and with fewer pans), the air fryer is your best friend. The circulating heat blisters the beans lightly so they stay snappy, then we toss them with lemon, garlic, and almonds for a restaurant-level side. I make this when I need a reliable, crowd-pleasing vegetable that pairs with roasted chicken, salmon, or a plant-based main. My approach: air-fry the beans, toast the almonds separately (still in the air fryer 1–3 minutes!), and finish with a warm lemon-garlic butter or olive oil for a dairy-free option. The result is a clean, bright, and elegant side that feels special without being fussy.
At a Glance
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–13 minutes
- Total Time: 20–25 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Estimated Cost: $5–7 (US, average grocery prices)
Table of Contents
Air Fryer Green Beans Almondine
- Total Time: 20–25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Crisp-tender green beans, toasted almonds, and a bright lemon-garlic butter—this Air Fryer Green Beans Almondine tastes bistro-fancy with weeknight effort.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (454 g) fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- ¾ tsp kosher salt, divided (to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅓ cup sliced almonds (30–35 g)
- 2 tbsp (28 g) unsalted butter (or 2 tbsp / 30 ml olive oil for dairy-free)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (6 g)
- 1 lemon (zest + 1 tbsp / 15 ml juice)
- 2 tbsp (8 g) fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3 minutes.
- Toss green beans with olive oil, ½ tsp salt, and black pepper. Cook in basket 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway, until bright green and lightly blistered.
- Add sliced almonds to basket (no oil) and air-fry 1–3 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- In a small skillet or microwave-safe cup, melt butter (or warm olive oil). Stir in garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice; cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Toss beans with lemon-garlic butter/oil, add almonds and parsley, and mix. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or lemon if needed. Serve immediately.
Notes
For extra-crisp beans, pat dry and avoid overcrowding. Haricots verts cook 2–3 minutes faster. Watch almonds closely—they burn quickly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–13 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: French-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: air fryer, green beans almondine, easy side dish, lemon garlic, vegetables
Ingredients (for Air Fryer Green Beans Almondine)
- Fresh green beans (trimmed) 1 lb (454 g)
- Olive oil 1 tbsp (15 ml)
- Kosher salt ¾ tsp, divided (to taste)
- Black pepper ¼ tsp
- Sliced almonds ⅓ cup (about 30–35 g)
- Unsalted butter 2 tbsp (28 g)
Dairy-free option: use olive oil 2 tbsp (30 ml) - Garlic 2 cloves, minced (6 g)
- Lemon 1 (zest + 1 tbsp / 15 ml juice)
- Fresh parsley 2 tbsp (8 g), finely chopped (optional)
Swaps & Notes (diet-friendly, no alcohol/pork)
| Need | Swap/Tip |
|---|---|
| Dairy-free | Replace butter with 2 tbsp olive oil; warm gently with garlic and lemon as directed. |
| Nut-free | Use toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) or sunflower seeds; toast 1–2 minutes in air fryer. |
| Gluten-free | Recipe is naturally gluten-free. Check nut packaging for cross-contact if needed. |
| Low-sodium | Reduce added salt to ½ tsp and finish with extra lemon zest for pop. |
| Extra-crisp beans | Pat beans very dry; don’t overcrowd basket—cook in 2 batches if needed. |
| Citrus-forward | Add extra ½ tsp lemon zest; hold some zest for garnish to keep it fragrant. |
Tested note: I’ve cooked this with both thin haricots verts and standard green beans. Haricots verts finish 2–3 minutes faster start checking at 7 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions (Air Fryer Green Beans Almondine)
- Prep & preheat. Trim green beans and pat very dry. Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3 minutes.
- Season & air-fry beans. Toss beans with 1 tbsp olive oil, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper. Add to basket in a relatively even layer. Cook 8–10 minutes, shaking at 4–5 minutes, until bright green with lightly blistered spots. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Toast almonds. Add ⅓ cup sliced almonds to the empty basket (no oil). Air-fry 1–3 minutes until golden and fragrant, shaking once. (Watch closely nuts can burn fast.)
- Make lemon-garlic butter (or olive oil). In a small skillet or microwave-safe cup, warm 2 tbsp butter over low heat just until melted and foamy. Stir in minced garlic, lemon zest, and 1 tbsp lemon juice; let sizzle 30–60 seconds to mellow the garlic. (For dairy-free, warm 2 tbsp olive oil instead.)
- Toss & finish. Pour the warm lemon-garlic butter/oil over the beans, add toasted almonds and parsley, and toss. Taste; add a pinch of salt or a squeeze of lemon if needed. Serve immediately.
Pro Tips & Variations
- Don’t skip drying the beans. Surface moisture steams instead of crisps. A quick towel dry = better browning.
- Basket management = texture. Overcrowded beans soften. If your air fryer is small, cook in two batches.
- Garlic timing matters. Raw garlic can overpower; a 30–60 second warm-up in butter/olive oil takes the bite off while staying bright.
- Brown-butter moment (optional). For a nuttier classic almondine vibe, let the butter brown lightly before adding garlic (watch for golden milk solids and a toasty aroma).
- Citrus twists. Try Meyer lemon for a softer sweetness, or add a whisper of orange zest with lemon for a rounder perfume.
- Nut-free crunch. Toasted panko (gluten-free if needed) tossed with olive oil makes a great stand-in for almonds.
- Add-ins: A spoon of capers, shaved Parmesan (omit for dairy-free), or a pinch of red pepper flakes can change the mood fast.
- Make it a meal. Toss with cooked quinoa and chickpeas, then finish with extra lemon and parsley for a hearty bowl.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with roast chicken, pan-seared salmon, or garlic-herb tofu.
- For a bistro plate, add buttery new potatoes and a simple green salad.
- On holiday tables, this replaces heavier casseroles with fresher flavor and color.
- For a picnic, serve at room temp; bring extra lemon wedges to refresh just before eating.
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Cool quickly; store in an airtight container 3–4 days.
- Reheat (best): Air fryer at 350°F (177°C) for 3–4 minutes to re-crisp.
- Microwave: 45–60 seconds; texture softens slightly.
- Freezing: Not recommended (beans soften).
- Food safety: Don’t leave cooked beans at room temp over 2 hours. Reheat leftovers to 165°F (74°C).
Troubleshooting
- Beans turned soft/soggy: Basket was overcrowded or beans were wet. Cook in batches and pat dry next time.
- Almonds burned: They toast fast; check at 60–90 seconds. Swap to the middle rack position if your unit runs hot.
- Too tart or too flat: Start with 1 tbsp lemon juice, then taste. Balance with a pinch of salt or another ½ tsp zest.
- Garlic tastes harsh: Let it gently sizzle in butter/olive oil longer (but not brown), or microplane it for a finer texture that mellows faster.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use frozen green beans?
A1: Yes no need to thaw fully. Rinse briefly to remove ice crystals and dry very well. Add 1–2 extra minutes to cook time.
Q2: How do I make this dairy-free?
A2: Use olive oil instead of butter. Warm the oil with garlic, lemon zest, and juice as directed. You’ll still get glossy, flavorful beans.
Q3: Which almonds work best?
A3: Sliced almonds toast evenly and cling to the beans. Slivered almonds are fine; add 30–60 seconds more to toasting.
Q4: Can I double the recipe?
A4: Yes, but cook the beans in two batches for crisp texture. Combine everything in a big bowl before serving.
Q5: What air fryer temperature should I use?
A5: 380°F (193°C) hits the sweet spot for blistered, bright-green beans without drying them out.
Nutrition (per serving)
Estimate for recipe made with butter and almonds; 4 servings.
Calories: ~140; Protein: ~4 g; Carbs: ~10 g; Fat: ~9 g