This Healthy Green Bean Casserole has air-fried onions, a homemade mushroom cream sauce, crisp green beans and parmesan cheese for a flavorful and lighter alternative to typical green bean casseroles.
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).
Transfer the onions to a zip lock 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, shaking half way through to 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 bag with the remaining half of the onions and shake.
Air fry at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes until crispy, shaking half way through cooking to separate the onions. Set aside for later. This half will go on top of the casserole.
Green Bean Casserole
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bring a large pot 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 bowl of ice water to stop the cooking.
In the same pan you cooked the green beans, add 2 Tbsp. butter 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 and browned, add 2 Tbsp. tapioca flour and mix to fully coat the mushrooms. The tapioca will thicken your sauce.
Add chicken broth, half and half, worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Simmer the sauce until it thickens, approximately 5-8 minutes, stirring often so it does not burn.
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 everything.
Add the green bean mixture to a 9 x 13 baking 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 immediately for the crunchiest onions.
Notes
Use full fat half and half for a creamier casserole.
Use pre-trimmed green beans and/or store-bought crispy onions to save on time.