Air Fryer Green Bean Fries

These air fryer green bean fries are served with a spicy yogurt-based dipping sauce for a healthy side dish or snack you can feel good about eating. They’re gluten-free and vegan and irresistibly crispy!

I don’t really crave french fries. Is that weird?

In fact, I can’t actually think of a time I ever craved something salty. My chocolate cravings, however, make up for it.

I mean, I like fries as much as anyone else (especially these crispy baked rosemary fries), but I don’t ever get hit with that “oh my god, I need them now” feeling.

Although, I will admit to being wooed by the McDonald’s crack fry aroma once or twice in my life.

It happens.

What I do get hit with is the overwhelming need to eat food that can be dipped.

To me, fries are 80% ketchup and 20% fried potato goodness.

Or, 80% fry sauce like the one in this parsnip fry recipe. Omg so good!

The only thing that makes picking off the ends of green beans one by one worth the effort is air frying them into crispy green bean fries so they become perfect crunchy dipping vehicles.

And that’s exactly what these air fryer green bean fries are.

And yes, I know they sell french cut bagged green beans (or shall I say haricot verts?) that require no end picking, but convenience veggies with fancy names just bother me with their inflated price tags.

I will never buy bagged anything (except baby spinach) or pre-cut fruit from the produce department.

It’s half principle, half stubbornness.

So in addition to vegan zucchini fries (which were also born out of the same craving), I now have these green bean fries to use as an excuse for downing copious amounts of dipping sauce. Or, portobello fries if I’m in the mood to batter and pan-fry instead of using the air fryer.

Jicama fries work well for this too and offer an incredibly crispy, crunchy vegetable fry option also. Just sayin’ because you can never have too many “fry” recipes in your repertoire.  

It’s hard to go wrong with a (plant-based) yogurt, ketchup, and sriracha mixture that leaves your mouth just on the border of uncomfortably spicy.

It’s kind of a fun place to hang out, that spicy borderline area.

Ingredients Needed For Crispy Air Fryer Green Bean Fries

• green beans – there is no substitute for fresh green beans although you could swap them out for wax beans if preferred.
• aquafaba – I talked about this genius vegan egg substitute in this asparagus fry recipe and it can also be used in baking like with this vegan pignoli cookie recipe.
• bread crumbs – use gluten-free if needed.
• nutritional yeast – if you don’t like nutritional yeast, parmesan cheese is a good substitute albeit not vegan.
• garlic powder
• salt & pepper
• plain unsweetened yogurt – I choose to use coconut yogurt as a plant based option but use whatever plain yogurt you prefer.
• ketchup
• sriracha

How to Make Green Bean Fries in the Air Fryer

Combine the breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast and spices in a shallow dish.

Pour the aquafaba into a separate shallow bowl.

Dip each green bean into the aquafaba then transfer to the breadcrumb mixture. Roll the bean around to coat then place in the air fryer basket or tray depending on your model.

*Pro tip — Don’t overcrowd the air fryer! Make sure the green beans are in a single layer and not overlapping. If you need to cook them in batches, be sure to do so rather than allow them to touch.

Air fry at 400°F for about 12 minutes until the fries are golden brown and crispy. If you have an oven model air fryer you may want to rotate the trays half way through the cooking time.

While the green bean fries are in the air fryer, mix together the yogurt, sriracha, and ketchup in a small bowl and set aside.

Serve the veggie fries hot right out of the air fryer with the spicy fry sauce for an easy side dish or healthy appetizer.

Variations of Green Bean Fries

Breading: Ground cornmeal, crushed cornflakes or crackers are other great options for creating a vegan and gluten-free coating on the green beans.

Seasonings: Never eat the same version twice when you use different seasonings. Try a ranch blend, cajun, or even Italian for more flavor options. Seriously, add any spices to the salt and pepper you want!

Cheese: If you don’t have a need to keep these air fryer green bean fries vegan, experiment with your favorite cheeses in addition to the nutritional yeast. Or, omit the nutritional yeast altogether and just use cheese instead. Grated parmesan and pecorino romano are good choices.

Can You Make Green Bean Fries in the Oven?

Sure can!

Follow the same instructions for breading the green beans. Then place them in a preheated oven at 400°F convection. If your oven doesn’t have a convection setting, set it to 425°F instead.

Cooking time will be about the same as the air-fryer directions, about 12 minutes.

The fries are done once golden brown in color and crispy.

How to Store Air Fried Green Bean Fries

Like most fries and crispy baked things (especially air fryer bacon wrapped asparagus), these vegetable fries are best eaten when they’re fresh. They’ll be most crispy and enjoyable if consumed directly after air frying.

If you do want to store them, use an air-tight container and either reheat in the air fryer or a toaster oven or regular oven to re-crisp.

MORE VEGGIES LIKE THIS TO TRY:

Not in the mood for the green bean fries? Grilled green beans are even easier!

Eggplant fries are another great vegetable turned fry coated in a delicious Italian seasoning blend.

Of course, you can always throw it back to the potato and try these wonderful crispy purple sweet potato fries.

Baked baby artichokes may not be a fry but they’re also an excellent dipping vehicle for ketchup or any sauce.

And for my absolute favorite vegetable turned into a crispy fry-like concoction, try this air fried okra recipe!

*Originally published April 2012. Updated March 2022.