Fresh Green Bean Casserole with Air Fried Crispy Onions

Green Bean Casserole

I’m sure you’ve heard of the classic green bean casserole around the Thanksgiving table and all holiday season long. This fresh green bean casserole recipe is a take on the classic and uses homemade crispy fried onions made in the air fryer and fresh green beans all topped with cheese and a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving dinner. Pair with Creamy Greek Yogurt Mashed Potatoes and Holiday Stuffing for a macro-friendly Thanksgiving table.

What vegetables are used in this dish?

This green bean casserole uses fresh ingredients and vegetables like tender green beans, onions, and mushrooms. 

Can you make this diary free and gluten free?

To make this dairy free use a dairy free alternative to half and half like full fat canned coconut milk and a dairy free parmesan cheese, you could also omit the cheese. To make this fresh green bean casserole recipe gluten free simply use a gluten free flour as tapioca flour is already gluten free. 

I completely respect and understand the desire to keep traditions going and continue to make the traditional version of green bean casserole with canned beans and canned cream soup. However, this fresh and delicious alternative might is a great option if you’re wanting a change at the holidays. 

What air fryer do you use?

I have become slightly obsessed with using my Corosi air fryer for everything. Here are some of our favorite air fryer recipes: Air Fryer Mini Tacos, Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders and Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken.

Can I use store-bought crispy onions?

Definitely! Making your own crispy onions is a bit time-consuming. It is not hard but does take time to cook. You can use store-bought French’s Crispy onions in place of air fried. Use some on the mixture and add some on top similar to directed below in the green bean casserole recipe card. 

Can I make it ahead of time?

If you make this ahead of time do note your onions will start to become soggy as they sit. I would suggest making this without the top onions. Reheat in the oven until warm and fresh onions on top of the green bean casserole before serving. 

Ingredients and Substitutes:

These are the main ingredients and substitutions. See recipe card below for full ingredients list and instructions for this green bean casserole recipe.

Green Beans: this recipe uses one pound of trimmed fresh green beans. You can also use the ready-store bag of fresh trimmed beans or canned green beans if you prefer. 

Onions

Flour and Panko: to make your air fryer onions crispy we are coating them in a mixture of all-purpose flour and tapioca flour. Half the green beans will also be coating with a bit of panko bread crumbs to really add some extra crunch on top. 

Cajun Seasoning: season the onions with cajun seasoning to give them some flavor. You can use store bought but note it can be much saltier than the homemade version.

Parmesan Cheese

Fat-Free Half and Half: to make this dairy free use a full-fat canned coconut milk. 

Chicken Broth

Worcestershire Sauce

Tapioca Flour: use cornstarch 1:1 for the onions and 1 Tbsp. In the sauce.

How to make this green bean casserole:

Step 1: Air Fryer Onions

Slice one full yellow onion into thin slices. Place them in a bowl with 1 cup of fat free half and half and let them sit while you prep your air fryer and trim your beans (approximately 5-10 minutes). Note: you will have excess half and half once you remove the onions, this has been considered in the nutrition facts. Transfer the onions to a ziplock bag pre loaded with flour, tapioca flour and cajun seasoning. Shake until completely covered. 

Remove half the onions and place them in the air fryer pan. Air fry at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes until crispy. Half way through cooking open the air fryer to give a good shake and separate the onions, be careful not to burn. Set aside for later. This half will go in the casserole mixture. 

Add 1/4 cup of panko breadcrumbs to the remaining half of the onions and shake. Air fry at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Half way through cooking open the air fryer to give a good shake and separate the onions. Set aside for later. This half will go on top of the green bean casserole. 

Step 2: Blanch the green beans

Bring a large skillet of water to a rolling boil over high heat and add the green beans. Cook for 5 minutes until bright green, drain and transfer to a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. 

Step 3: Make the sauce

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and make your sauce. This acts as a homemade cream of mushroom soup mix which the classic green bean casserole calls for. To make the homemade mushroom sauce add 2 tbsp. butter to the same pan you cooked the green beans over medium heat. Once melted add the minced garlic and mushrooms. Cook over medium to medium-high for 5 minutes until the mushrooms are dark brown and soft.

Once soft add 2 tbsp. tapioca flour and mix to fully coat the mushrooms. The tapioca is going to help thicken your sauce. Add chicken broth, half and half, Worcestershire sauce, salt and black pepper. Simmer the sauce until it thickens approximately 5-8 minutes stirring often so it does not burn. 

Step 4: Combine casserole ingredients

Using a slotted spoon remove the green beans from the ice bath and add to the homemade sauce. Add the first batch of onions and stir everything to fully combine evenly throughout. 

Step 5: Bake

Add the green bean mixture to a 9 x 13 casserole dish, top with parmesan cheese, and bake uncovered for 10 minutes. Remove, add the second batch of onions and cook for an additional 10 minutes uncovered. The casserole is done when the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and serve your healthy green bean casserole immediately.

What to serve with this recipe?

This green bean casserole is perfect for any holiday dinner! Serve it at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Friendsgiving, Easter, New Year’s Eve dinner, you name it and it works! Pair it with some of my favorite non-alcoholic punches like this Thanksgiving Punch and Christmas Punch.

Serve with turkey, Greek Yogurt Mashed Potatoes, salad, Holiday Stuffing or just make it during the week to go with chicken or steak.

What is the serving size for this casserole?

Nutrition facts are an estimate. As always, for the most accurate measurement per serving weigh your final dish and divide by the serving amount. 

This green bean casserole makes approximately 8 servings. The size is approximately 145 grams or 1 cup. 

If you like this recipe be sure to check out some of our other easy recipes!

• Holiday Stuffing
• Greek Yogurt Mashed Potatoes
• Big Mac Casserole
• Pumpkin French Toast Casserole