Looking for a quick and delicious side dish that'll make everyone go back for seconds? These Garlic Parmesan Green Beans are blistery, flavorful, and ready in just a few minutes. Whether you make them in the oven or air fryer, these green beans are an easy win and a family favorite.
Why you'll love these Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
What’s not to love about garlic, green beans, and parmesan cheese? Throw em’ all together and you’ve got a real hit on your hands. This green bean recipe has a lot of great perks including:
✔️ Ready in under 15 minutes
✔️ Uses simple ingredients you probably already have
✔️ Easy to make in the oven or air fryer
✔️ Kid-friendly and great for picky eaters
What you'll need to make this recipe
Equipment
- Sheet pan (optional, for oven method)
- Air fryer (optional, for air fryer method)
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons and cups
Ingredients
This recipe combines just a few simple ingredients to create something magical:
- Fresh green beans: Look for bright, crisp beans without blemishes. I tend to make this recipe when green beans are on sale.
- Olive oil: Helps achieve a blistery exterior
- Fresh garlic: Adds aromatic savory flavor
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty creamy flavor to the beans
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors
- Fresh cracked black pepper: To taste, for a hint of heat
- Lemon: Just a squeeze to brighten up the flavors and add a little zing.
How to make these Green Beans
This recipe couldn't be simpler! Follow these easy steps:
- Start by preheating your oven or air fryer - a high temperature is key for achieving a perfect blistery exterior
- Prep your green beans by removing the stems and washing them thoroughly.
- Toss the green beans with olive oil, salt, and pepper., and roast or air fry for 4-5 minutes.
- Add garlic and Parmesan, then roast again for a few more minutes.
- Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon
Success tips
- Ensure your green beans are completely dry before cooking. This helps to allow the oil to coat the beans evenly to achieve optimal crispiness.
- Don't skip the lemon at the end - it adds a bright, fresh finish.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melting and flavor.
- Make this when green beans are on sale! They can get pretty pricey at times!
| 💡 TOP TIP: I like using a blender or food processor to grind fresh parmesan. I love the crumbly texture! I buy a large chunk (usually from Costco), grind it all at once, and freeze it in a ziploc bag so it's ready to go when I need it. |
Recipe variations
Make this green bean recipe your own with these delicious variations:
- Spicy: Add red pepper flakes for some extra heat.
- Herb-lovers: Add fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary along with the garlic and Parmesan cheese.
- Extra crispy: Toss in a handful of breadcrumbs along with the garlic and Parmesan cheese for more crispy bits.
- Dairy-free/vegan version: Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese for a dairy-free option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Cook them at 400°F for 8-10 minutes total, shaking the basket halfway through. Add the garlic and Parmesan for the last few minutes of cooking.
Make sure your green beans are completely dry before roasting and arrange them in a single layer on the sheet pan. The high temperature (475°F) helps achieve that perfect crispy exterior. If you're using an air fryer, it's a bit easier to get them nice and crispy.
Fresh green beans work best for this recipe as they'll get crispier. Frozen green beans tend to release too much moisture and won't achieve the same blistered texture.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Note that the green beans will lose their crispiness when stored. To reheat, microwave them or place them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes.
Nope. Canned green beans are precooked which means they'll be extremely mushy if you cook them again using this method.
What goes well with these beans?
While you have the air fryer out, you might as well roast a chicken in it too! These Chicken Drumsticks are also a great option. If you're looking for a starchy side dish, try these Yogurt Mashed Potatoes. They're super creamy, tangy, and light.
These Garlic Parmesan Green Beans are the perfect way to turn the simple green bean into a cravable side dish. Whether you're serving them alongside a weeknight dinner or bringing them to a holiday gathering, these beans are sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Give this recipe a try, and let me know in the comments how it turned out!
Garlic Parmesan Green Beans (Oven and Air Fryer Options)
Equipment
- Sheet pan (optional, for oven method)
- Air fryer (optional, for air fryer method)
- mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Knife and cutting board or microplane grater for mincing the garlic. Can also use a microplane for the cheese!
Ingredients
- 300 grams green beans fresh, trimmed
- 1 tsp olive oil extra virgin
- ½ tsp salt
- Cracked black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic minced
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 475. If using an air fryer, preheat to 230C.
- Snap the stem ends off the green beans and give them a good wash.
- Toss the green beans with the olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- For the oven method, arrange the beans in a single layer on a sheet pan and roast for 5 minutes. For the air fryer method, add the green beans to the drawer without any racks inside, and air fry for 4 minutes.
- Remove the beans from the oven or air fryer and dump them back into the bowl.
- Toss the green beans with garlic and Parmesan.
- Tip the beans back onto the sheet pan or into the air fryer basket, keeping them in a single layer: but fairly close together without big gaps so the cheese melts into the beans instead of onto the bottom.
- Roast for another 3-4 minutes in the oven or 1-2 minutes in the air fryer or until the beans are cooked through and slightly blistered.
- Enjoy with a big squeeze of lemon.
Josie says
So easy! I topped mine with some hot sauce too.
Paula says
I can't argue with that!