Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Green Beans are a delicious side dish that combines tender green beans with crispy, smoky bacon. They are easy to prepare, require just a handful of ingredients, and cook in the air fryer until the bacon is golden and the green beans are perfectly tender.

This recipe is a great way to make vegetables more exciting, especially when you’re serving them to family or guests. The natural freshness of the green beans pairs beautifully with the salty flavour of bacon, while a little garlic powder and black pepper add extra seasoning.

Whether you’re preparing a weeknight dinner, a holiday meal, or a special occasion, these bacon-wrapped green bean bundles are always a lovely addition to the table. Serve them alongside roasted chicken, steak, pork chops, or turkey for an easy and tasty side dish.

Ingredient Notes

You only need a few simple ingredients to make these delicious Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Green Beans.

Fresh green beans: Choose fresh, firm green beans with a bright green colour. Trim the ends before cooking. Try to use beans of similar length so the bundles cook evenly.
Bacon: Regular-cut bacon works best because it cooks more quickly and becomes crispy around the green beans. Thick-cut bacon may need extra cooking time.
Olive oil: A small amount helps season the green beans and prevents them from drying out. You can also use avocado oil.
Garlic powder: Adds a delicious savoury flavour that complements both the bacon and green beans.
Black pepper: Provides a little warmth and seasoning. You may not need much additional salt because bacon is already salty.
Brown sugar (optional): Adds a touch of sweetness and creates a delicious sweet-and-savoury flavour. You can also use a little maple syrup.

Optional toppings: Sprinkle the cooked bundles with Parmesan cheese or fresh parsley just before serving.

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Green Beans

Making bacon-wrapped green beans in the air fryer is simple. The key is to prepare small bundles and wrap the bacon securely so everything cooks evenly.

Step 1: Prepare the green beans

Wash the fresh green beans under cold running water and pat them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel.

Trim off the tough ends using a sharp knife. If the beans are particularly long, you can cut them to a similar length.

Step 2: Season the green beans

Place the green beans in a large mixing bowl. Add the olive oil, garlic powder, and black pepper.

Toss well until the beans are lightly coated with oil and seasoning.

Step 3: Make the green bean bundles

Divide the green beans into small bundles of approximately 6–8 beans each, depending on their size.

Take one slice of bacon and wrap it tightly around the centre of each bundle. Place the bacon seam-side down so it stays in place during cooking.

If needed, secure the bacon with a toothpick. Make sure any toothpicks you use are suitable for air fryer cooking and do not interfere with the basket.

Step 4: Preheat the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for approximately 3 minutes, if your model requires preheating.

Step 5: Arrange the bundles in the air fryer

Place the bacon-wrapped green bean bundles in the air fryer basket in a single layer.

Leave a little space between each bundle to allow hot air to circulate. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can prevent the bacon from crisping properly.

Step 6: Air fry until crispy

Cook at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 10–15 minutes, turning the bundles halfway through cooking.

The bacon should become golden and crispy, while the green beans should be tender. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the bacon and the size of your bundles.

If the bacon needs extra browning, cook for another 2–3 minutes, checking frequently to prevent burning.

Step 7: Serve and enjoy

Carefully remove the bundles from the air fryer and allow them to rest for a minute or two.

Remove any toothpicks before serving. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese or fresh parsley if desired.

Serve warm alongside your favourite main dishes.

Pro Tip

For the best Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Green Beans, keep these simple tips in mind:

Dry the green beans completely: Excess moisture can affect the texture and prevent the seasoning from sticking properly.
Use regular-cut bacon: It usually cooks more evenly with the green beans. Thick-cut bacon may need additional cooking time, so monitor it carefully.
Don’t make the bundles too large: Smaller bundles allow the heat to reach the green beans more evenly and help the bacon cook properly.
Wrap the bacon tightly: Secure wrapping helps prevent the bacon from unraveling during cooking.
Place the bundles seam-side down: This helps keep the bacon in position without needing too many toothpicks.
Avoid overcrowding: Leave space between the bundles so the hot air can circulate and crisp the bacon.
Turn halfway through cooking: This helps the bacon brown more evenly on all sides.
Add sweet seasoning carefully: If using brown sugar or maple syrup, apply a light coating because sugary ingredients can burn at high temperatures.
Check the green beans: They should be tender but still have a little bite. If you prefer softer green beans, blanch them briefly in boiling water before wrapping, then dry them thoroughly.
Serve immediately: These bundles taste best straight from the air fryer while the bacon is still crispy.

FAQ

How long does it take to cook bacon-wrapped green beans in the air fryer?

Bacon-wrapped green beans usually take 10–15 minutes at 375°F (190°C). The exact cooking time depends on the thickness of the bacon, the size of the bundles, and your air fryer model. Add a few extra minutes if the bacon needs more time to crisp.

What temperature should I use for Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Green Beans?

A temperature of 375°F (190°C) works well for this recipe. It allows the bacon to cook and brown while the green beans become tender.

Should I blanch green beans before wrapping them in bacon?

No, blanching is not necessary when using fresh green beans. They can cook directly in the air fryer. However, if you prefer softer green beans, blanch them in boiling water for 2–3 minutes, transfer them to cold water, and dry them thoroughly before wrapping.

Can I use frozen green beans?

Fresh green beans are recommended because they hold their shape better and are easier to wrap. Frozen green beans contain extra moisture and can become softer. If using frozen beans, thaw them completely and pat them very dry before seasoning and wrapping.

Can I use thick-cut bacon?

Yes, but thick-cut bacon takes longer to cook and may not crisp at the same time as the green beans. You may need to increase the cooking time slightly. Check frequently and make sure the bacon is thoroughly cooked.

How many green beans should I put in each bundle?

A bundle of approximately 6–8 green beans works well, depending on their size. Try to keep the bundles similar in thickness so they cook evenly.

Can I prepare bacon-wrapped green beans ahead of time?

Yes. You can wash and trim the green beans, season them, and wrap them in bacon several hours ahead. Arrange the bundles in a covered container and refrigerate until ready to cook. For food safety, keep them refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or below and cook within 1–2 days.

How do I store leftover bacon-wrapped green beans?

Allow the leftovers to cool and transfer them to an airtight container. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking and use within 3–4 days.

How do I reheat bacon-wrapped green beans?

Place the refrigerated bundles in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 3–5 minutes, or until heated through. Make sure the centre reaches 165°F (74°C) when reheating leftovers.

Can I make bacon-wrapped green beans without olive oil?

Yes. The bacon releases some fat as it cooks, so you can skip the olive oil if you prefer. However, a small amount of oil helps the seasoning coat the green beans evenly.

What should I serve with Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Green Beans?

These bundles pair beautifully with roasted chicken, grilled steak, pork chops, turkey, meatloaf, or salmon. They also make a delicious side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas dinner, and other family gatherings.

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Green Beans

Print Recipe

These bacon-wrapped green beans are an easy way to turn a simple vegetable into something with a little more flavor and crunch. They make a great appetizer or side dish that goes with lots of different meals.

Author: Brandy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 6 1x
Category: Side Dish

Ingredients

Scale

/2 lb fresh green beans
3 pieces regular-cut bacon, cut in half
1 teaspoon oil
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon salt, more to taste
1 pinch black pepper, more to taste

Instructions

Rinse and dry the green beans, then trim the ends and add the green beans to a bowl.
1/2 lb fresh green beans
Add the oil, maple syrup, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Toss to coat.
1 teaspoon oil, 1 teaspoon maple syrup, 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1 pinch black pepper
Lay out the cut bacon strips. Grab about 6-9 green beans and lay them in the middle of a bacon strip, then stretch and wrap the bacon around them. Close the overlap with a toothpick. Do this for all the beans and bacon.
3 pieces regular-cut bacon
Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (about 175 degrees Celsius).
Place the bacon-bean bundles in the air fryer basket with space between them.
Air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (about 175 degrees Celsius) for 9-12 minutes total, flipping halfway through, or until the green beans are tender and the bacon is cooked.
When done, remove the bundles and serve them as an appetizer or side dish with mains of your choice like meats, potatoes, and more.