Air Fryer Tempura-Inspired Green Beans Recipe
Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Tempura-Inspired Green Beans are coated in a light panko crust and served with a tangy soy-mirin dipping sauce. A healthier twist on traditional tempura that is quick to prepare and perfect for a tasty appetizer or side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 19 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Green Beans and Coating
- 1/2 lb. green beans, trimmed
- 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 large eggs
- Olive oil cooking spray
Dipping Sauce
- 1 scallion, very thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp. water
- 1 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp. mirin
- 1 1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Coat the Green Beans: In a large bowl, toss the trimmed green beans with all-purpose flour until all beans are evenly coated. This helps the egg and panko crumbs adhere better during the breading process.
- Prepare Breading Stations: In one shallow bowl, use your hands to break up the panko bread crumbs into smaller bits to ensure a crisp texture and better adhesion. In another shallow bowl, beat the two eggs until well blended for dipping.
- Bread the Beans: Shake off any excess flour from the green beans. Dip each bean first into the beaten eggs, then roll it in the panko crumbs, gently pressing so the crumbs stick well and form a nice crust.
- Air Fry the Beans: Working in batches, spray the air-fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the breaded green beans in a single layer with a little space between them (about 1/4 inch). Spray the top of the beans lightly with cooking spray. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 7 to 9 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the coating is golden brown and the green beans are tender.
- Make the Dipping Sauce: While the beans cook, whisk together the thinly sliced scallion, water, low-sodium soy sauce, mirin, and fresh lemon juice in a medium bowl to combine.
- Serve: Plate the crispy tempura-style green beans and serve them hot alongside the tangy scallion dipping sauce for a delicious appetizer or side dish.
Notes
- You can substitute panko bread crumbs with gluten-free alternatives for a gluten-free version.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow even cooking and crisping.
- If you prefer spicier flavor, add a pinch of chili flakes to the dipping sauce.
- For an extra crisp texture, you may double dip the beans in egg and panko before air frying.
- Use fresh green beans for the best texture and flavor.
Keywords: air fryer green beans, tempura green beans, crispy green bean appetizer, Japanese-inspired snack, healthy tempura recipe
