Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Green Beans

Two simple ingredients come together to make a delicious appetizer that is ready in 30 minutes! My Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Green Beans is a great side dish or starter that blends the meaty flavor of bacon with tender and crisp beans. I highly recommend adding this to your holiday table this season.

Green beans are a classic holiday vegetable for me because their bright green color and natural nutrients pair so well with rich Thanksgiving and Christmas main dishes. That is why I love making my cheesy baked green beans and my classic most requested green bean casserole during the holidays. And today I am going to show you how to make these Bacon Wrapped Green Beans in the air fryer that even the “green picky eaters” will not be able to resist.

Since the holiday season is always busy for all of us, I understand the need for simple recipes, and this one can not get much easier. All I do is wrap the beans with bacon and place them in the air fryer for 10 to 15 minutes. Bacon and green beans pair fantastic, and the ease of this recipe along with the amazing taste and attractive presentation makes it a perfect appetizer or side dish for any meal. Anyone who loves green beans as much as my family does will want to make these green bean bundles all the time.

Why you will love this recipe

• My easiest holiday helper: I reach for this recipe when I need something quick during busy weeks and holiday dinners. I wrap the beans, place them in the air fryer, and that’s it!
• Kids and grown ups both ask for seconds: Every time I host, even the picky eaters grab these bundles right away. The mix of juicy bacon and fresh green beans makes a simple vegetable taste amazing for the whole table.
• Only two ingredients: I love how I can make a dish so tasty with nothing more than bacon and fresh green beans. The air fryer handles the cooking and the bacon adds a smoky note that works with almost any main dish.
• Easy on the budget: I appreciate that this recipe uses everyday grocery items. Fresh green beans and bacon stay affordable, so I can make a large batch for family gatherings without overspending.

What you will need

• Fresh green bean stalks: I trim the ends so the beans cook evenly and stay tender.
• Uncured bacon: I prefer uncured bacon, but cured works too when that is what I have in the fridge.
• Seasonings: I keep it simple with kosher salt and black pepper.

How to make

1.  Get everything ready: I start by preheating the air fryer to 380 degrees F. While it heats, I wash the fresh green beans, trim the ends, and lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking oil so I can set the bundles on it as I prepare them.

2. Prep the bacon: I cut each piece of bacon lengthwise when I need thinner strips for wrapping the green beans.

3. Wrap the bundles: I take a small handful of green beans and wrap them with a slice of bacon, then place the bundle seam side down on the plate.

4. Cook the bundles: I place the green bean bundles in a single layer on the bottom of the air fryer basket that I lightly sprayed with cooking oil. I cook them for 10 to 15 minutes or until the bacon is crisp and nicely browned.

Expert tip

Perfect green bean bundles

Keeping the bundles small, about 3 or 4 green beans each, is very important and I highly recommend it. Why? Because that is what makes the bacon cook evenly and crisp all the way around. If the bacon is thick, I slice it lengthwise because thinner strips wrap easier and cook faster, which helps the beans stay tender instead of soft.

More tips to consider:

• I make sure my green beans are dry before cooking by patting them with a paper towel. This helps them crisp better in the air fryer.
• When I want the beans a bit softer, I bring a large pot of water to a boil and blanch them for 2 to 3 minutes. Then I transfer them to a bowl of ice so they cool quickly.
• If I use canned vegetables, I choose French style green beans because they have a better texture.
• I also use frozen green beans at times, but I always thaw them and dry them well before cooking.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Sweet holiday glaze: I sprinkle 1 teaspoon of brown sugar over each bundle before cooking. This melts into a light sweet layer that works well for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
• Parmesan finish: I sprinkle a teaspoon of grated Parmesan over each bundle right after cooking. I love how it provides a light salty finish that tastes great with the crisp bacon.
• Smoky paprika beans: I shake a small pinch of smoked paprika over the beans before wrapping. This adds a warm smoky note that works well with holiday meals.
• Sesame soy twist: I brush the beans with a teaspoon of soy sauce and sprinkle a few sesame seeds before wrapping.
• Mustard glaze: I brush each bundle with a teaspoon of Dijon mustard before wrapping. This one is my favorite, a mellow tang that goes well with the smoky bacon.

Serving suggestions

I like to serve these bacon wrapped green beans with my garlic and honey bacon wrapped pork tenderloin for a meaty and comforting dinner. They also work well next to my spicy and sweet brown sugar bacon wrapped chicken drumsticks when I want a different mix of flavors.

If I am cooking for seafood lovers, I pair the beans with my bacon wrapped shrimp recipe for an easy surf and turf style meal. During the holidays, I add my German potato salad and end the meal with my pumpkin mousse brownies, which always makes everyone happy to stay a bit longer at the table.

How to store leftovers:

• Store: I keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: When I need to save them longer, I let the bundles cool and wrap them in plastic wrap. They freeze nicely for about 3 months.
• Reheat: I reheat the beans in the microwave, the air fryer, or in the oven at 400 degrees F for about 5 minutes until the bacon is crisp again.

Frequently asked questions

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