Air Fryer Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Green bean casserole is a classic American dish that is beloved by many. My recipe for this casserole is easy to make and bursts with flavor. It is a perfect dish for busy weeknights or for holiday dinners.

To give the casserole an extra crunch and savory taste, I top it off with crispy fried onions and cheddar cheese. The creamy mushroom sauce, combined with the crispy onions and cheese, creates a wonderful texture that's sure to please everyone at the table.

My recipe is also healthier than many traditional versions of green bean casserole, as I don't use heavily processed canned goods. This means that it is rich in vitamins and minerals, making it a guilt-free indulgence that you can enjoy.

Overall, my green bean casserole recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its fresh ingredients and satisfying flavors, I’m sure this recipe will become a family favorite in your household too!

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Kitchen Tools Needed
• Instructions
• Tips for Success
• Serving Recommendations
• Recipe Variations & Leftovers Storage
• Troubleshooting Tips
• Green Bean Casserole Recipe Made Better with Air Frying
• Recipe

Ingredients

Fried Onions

• 2 large onions (180 g)
• 1 cup (200 ml) milk
• ⅓ cup (50 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon (5 g) garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 g) onion powder
• ½ teaspoon (3 g) black pepper, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt, or to taste
• ¾ cup (200 ml) vegetable oil for frying

Green Beans

• 1.5 cups (300 g) frozen green beans, thawed in advance
• 1 cup (200 ml) light cream
• 2 oz (50 g) cheddar cheese, grated
• 4 oz (100 g) cream cheese, softened
• 11 oz (300 g) mushrooms, sliced
• 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt

Kitchen Tools Needed

Fried Onions

• Mesh Strainer
• Paper Towels
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Container for soaking onions
• Onion container
• Container for spices
• Saucepan

Green Beans

• Air Fryer (I’m using the Instant Vortex Plus XL in this recipe.)
• Kitchen Mitts
• Immersion Blender
• Baking dish (according to the size of the Air Fryer bowl)
• Mushroom base mold
• Knife
• Paper Towels

Instructions

Fried Onions

1. Cut the onions and place them in a bowl. Separate the layers of the onion and pour in the milk. Then let it sit for 20 minutes. In another bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt together.

2. Drain the milk through a sieve. Sprinkle the onion with the flour mixture and mix well. Use a small amount of flour and vegetable oil.

3. Heat the oil in a skillet to 340ºF/170ºC. Fry the first batch of the onion for about 8 minutes or until they’re brown and crispy. Transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels in advance. Fry the second batch of onions and transfer them to the same plate.

4. Once the onions have cooled, transfer them to a glass container. Done!

Green Beans

1. Let’s prepare the mushroom sauce. Remove the stems from the mushrooms and place the caps in a baking dish. Cut the stems in half and place them in the air fryer. They are a bit tough, so they need more time to cook.

2. Preheat the air fryer to 300ºF/150ºC and cook the mushrooms for about 40 minutes. Almost all the moisture should evaporate from the mushrooms, which will give them a concentrated, strong flavor. You'll notice it during cooking.

3. Add the light cream and cream cheese to the mushrooms and cook in the air fryer for another 15 minutes at 300ºF/150ºC. 

4. After 15 minutes, blend the mushroom mixture with an immersion blender and add salt. Cook in the air fryer for another 10 minutes for the cream to thicken. Be careful, the walls of the air fryer are very hot!

5. Now you have fried onions and mushroom sauce. Combine them in a baking dish.

6. Place the frozen green beans in the dish. They should be less cold by now since you took them out of the freezer in advance. Add two-thirds of the fried onions. Pour in the mushroom sauce, add the soft cheese, and bake for 10 minutes at 380ºF/190ºC.

Note: Again, be careful and cautious. The walls of the air fryer are very hot.

7. The baked green beans are ready! Take them out and sprinkle the remaining fried onions on top, then add cheese and let it melt. You can put the dish back in the air fryer that's already been turned off for about five minutes, which should be enough. And you’re done!

Tips for Success

Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the air fryer model and personal preferences. It is important to observe the beans during cooking and adjust the time and temperature accordingly. 

If you prefer a crispier texture of the bean, you can increase the cooking time, or conversely, if you want a softer bean, reduce the cooking time.

Serving Recommendations

Make sure the baked beans have cooled enough before serving. Baked beans go well with other vegetables such as carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli. You can also add various sauces to the beans, like tomato sauce or cream-based sauce.

Baked beans can be served as a main dish or as a side dish to the main course. It is recommended to serve beans with lemon and fresh greens, or you can add pieces of cheese or diced tomatoes for more flavor.

Recipe Variations & Leftovers Storage

You can experiment with different ingredient combinations for baked beans. For example, you can add bacon pieces to the beans, as well as experiment with spices to alter the flavor.

Additionally, you can substitute the bean with other vegetables of your choice, such as broccoli, carrots, and zucchini. And you can also add other ingredients to the beans, such as mushrooms, chicken, or sausage pieces.

Leftover baked beans can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen in a container for up to 3 months. These beans can be used as a filling for burritos or added to salads and other dishes.

Troubleshooting Tips

If your beans are not crunchy enough, you can try increasing the cooking time or raising the temperature.

If the beans are too dry, you can try reducing the cooking time or adding a bit of oil during the cooking process.

If you want your beans to be juicier and softer, try adding more cream to the mushrooms, or you can add meat or vegetable broth. Baking the beans with other vegetables like tomatoes or sweet peppers can also help keep them moist.

If the beans are burnt or unevenly baked, try reducing the temperature or cooking time.

Overall, cooking baked beans in an air fryer is both easy and delicious. Follow the recipe, experiment with time and temperature, and you will definitely get a great result.

Green Bean Casserole Recipe Made Better with Air Frying

Green beans are a nutrient-dense vegetable, rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for maintaining good health. 

These include vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, folate, and iron. They are also low in calories and carbohydrates, which makes them an ideal food for people trying to maintain a healthy weight or manage their blood sugar levels.

When it comes to cooking, air frying is a healthier option than deep frying. Air fryers use hot air for cooking food, resulting in crispy and flavorful dishes with less oil and fat. This cooking method helps preserve the green beans' nutritional value while enhancing their natural flavor and texture.

This green bean casserole recipe is not only easy to make but also customizable, allowing you to adjust the seasoning and toppings to suit your taste preferences. 

Many people love using an air fryer for cooking their green beans because it creates a crunchy texture and retains all the nutritional benefits. Plus, air fryers are convenient and easy to use, making them a popular cooking appliance in many households.

Overall, green beans are a nutritious and delicious addition to any meal, and air frying is a healthy and flavorful way to cook them. So go ahead and give this green bean casserole recipe a try!

Recipe