Air Fryer Green Bean and Bacon Casserole

When I want that classic green bean casserole but my oven is packed, Air Fryer Green Bean and Bacon Casserole saves the day. The green beans stay crisp-tender, coated in rich, creamy mushroom sauce. The bacon stays crispy on top, adding that salty crunch. It’s the kind of comforting side dish that makes you go back for seconds.

A bowl of Air Fryer Green Bean and Bacon Casserole topped with crispy onions sits on a wooden board, a black fork resting on the bowl.
Air Fryer Green Bean and Bacon Casserole. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

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I make it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter when oven space is tight, and it’s perfect for potlucks and holiday gatherings because it reheats beautifully. It’s a classic crowd-pleaser that travels well. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat well in the air fryer or microwave.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

Assorted labeled ingredients for Air Fryer Green Bean and Bacon Casserole, including green beans, button mushrooms, bacon, onions, garlic, butter, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, parmesan, salt, pepper, and crispy onions.
Air Fryer Green Bean and Bacon Casserole Ingredients. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

How to Make Air Fryer Green Bean and Bacon Casserole with Step-By-Step Instructions

Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.

This casserole comes together in layers, and each step builds flavor.

Sauté the Aromatics and Mushrooms

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then add your onions and garlic. Let them cook for about 3 minutes, until they’re soft and fragrant. Toss in the sliced mushrooms and cook for another 1–2 minutes until they start to release their moisture.

Blanch the Green Beans

Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan, then add the green beans. Cook them for 8 minutes until they’re crisp-tender. You want them soft enough to bite through but still with some snap.

Drain them well so the casserole doesn’t get watery. I like using this fine-mesh strainer for this because it catches every bean and lets the liquid drain quickly.

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This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.

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Combine Everything

Grab a large mixing bowl and combine the cream of mushroom soup, sautéed vegetables, cooked green beans, half the Parmesan, salt, and pepper.

Stir until everything is evenly coated. A silicone spatula is perfect here because it scrapes the bowl clean, leaving nothing behind.

Transfer to the Air Fryer Dish

Lightly grease a 2-quart air fryer-safe baking dish. Transfer the green bean mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly.

Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan on top. Make sure your dish fits comfortably in your air fryer basket, leaving a little room for air circulation.

An oval dish filled with Air Fryer Green Bean and Bacon Casserole—green beans, mushrooms, bacon, and shredded cheese—sits inside an air fryer basket.
Transfer the green bean mixture into the dish, top with Parmesan, and air fry for 10-12 minutes.

Air Fry Until Bubbly

Air fry at 350°F for 10–12 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and bubbling around the edges. This basket-style air fryer works perfectly for this recipe because it circulates air evenly around the dish.

The Parmesan should be golden and slightly crispy on top.

Serve and Enjoy

Remove the casserole from the air fryer and let it sit for a minute. I use a pair of oven mitts to carefully remove the dish, since it’ll be very hot.

Top it with crispy bacon pieces and crispy onion strings right before serving. Adding them at the end keeps them crunchy instead of soggy.

If you’re taking the casserole to a potluck or holiday gathering, let it cool slightly first. An insulated casserole carrier keeps everything warm during transport and protects it from spills. Pack the bacon and crispy onions separately in small containers and add them right before serving so they stay crispy.

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A bowl of Air Fryer Green Bean and Bacon Casserole topped with crispy fried onions and diced bacon, with a black fork resting on the rim.

Air Fryer Green Bean and Bacon Casserole

Air Fryer Green Bean and Bacon Casserole is my go-to when I want that classic creamy, savory holiday side without tying up my oven. The green beans stay crisp-tender while the creamy mushroom sauce coats every piece, and the bacon on top gets perfectly crispy instead of soggy. The air fryer makes everything bubbly and hot in no time. It's perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and any holiday gathering or potluck because it frees up your oven and reheats beautifully. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes
Course: casserole, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Air Fryer Green Bean and Bacon Casserole
Servings: 4
Calories: 222kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup onion finely diced
  • 2 cups button mushrooms sliced
  • 3 cups fresh green beans trimmed and halved
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup cream of mushroom soup
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ cup crispy bacon pieces
  • Crispy onion strings for topping

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, and sauté until softened. Stir in the mushrooms and cook for another 1–2 minutes. Remove from heat.
    2 tablespoons butter, 2 cloves garlic, ½ cup onion, 2 cups button mushrooms
  • In a medium saucepan, bring the green beans and chicken broth to a boil. Cook for 8 minutes, until the beans are crisp-tender. Drain well.
    3 cups fresh green beans, 3 cups chicken broth
  • Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
  • In a large bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, sautéed vegetables, cooked green beans, half the Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is well coated.
    1 cup cream of mushroom soup, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, Salt and pepper
  • Transfer the mixture to an air fryer–safe baking dish (make sure it fits inside your air fryer basket). Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan on top.
  • Air fry at 350°F (180°C) for 10–12 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and bubbling around the edges.
  • Remove carefully, then top with crispy bacon and crispy onions before serving.
    ½ cup crispy bacon pieces, Crispy onion strings

Notes

  • Use fresh green beans if possible: Fresh green beans hold their texture better than frozen. If you use frozen, thaw them and pat them dry first to remove extra moisture.
  • Don’t skip draining the green beans: After blanching, make sure you drain them really well in a colander. Excess liquid will make the casserole watery and prevent the cheese from getting crispy on top. Pat them dry with a paper towel if needed.
  • Customize your ingredients: Use thick-cut bacon or thick cut bacon slices for better texture and crispier pieces, swap regular green beans for French green beans (reduce blanching to 5-6 minutes), season generously with black pepper for a nice bite, and use a pan with high sides when sautéing the mushrooms for a couple of minutes until they release moisture.
  • Check your dish size: Make sure your baking dish fits inside your air fryer basket with at least half an inch of clearance on all sides for proper air circulation. A 2-quart dish works perfectly in most standard air fryers.
  • Add toppings at the end: The bacon and crispy onions should go on right before serving. If you add them before air frying, they’ll get soggy from the steam.
  • Flash-freeze for meal prep: If you’re making this ahead, assemble the casserole in its entirety and freeze it on a baking sheet for 1 hour before wrapping it tightly. This prevents the ingredients from shifting and makes it easier to store flat in your freezer.

Nutrition

Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 1687mg | Potassium: 486mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 802IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

DO MORE WITH YOUR

AIR FRYER

A cartoon chef’s hat above hands holding a bowl of salad, with a knife in the left hand and a fork in the right hand.

This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.

Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.

A hand lifts a piece of lasagna from a dish on the cover of
Four baked red bell peppers stuffed with a vegetable and cheese filling, garnished with fresh herbs, on a parchment-lined baking tray.

Includes ad-free recipes like:

∙  Cheesy Egg Bites

∙  Broccoli Cheddar Soup

∙  Asparagus Casserole

∙  Walking Taco Casserole

∙  Chocolate Cake Cookies

...and much more!

How to Store Leftovers

Let the casserole cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. I store leftovers in glass storage containers with tight-fitting lids because they don’t absorb odors and reheat evenly.

It’ll stay fresh in the fridge for about 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1–2 minutes, or warm the whole dish in the air fryer at 300°F for 5–6 minutes until heated through.

For longer storage, freeze the casserole before adding the strip of bacon and crispy onions. Wrap the dish tightly in plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in the air fryer and add fresh toppings before serving.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Green Bean and Bacon Casserole

I usually serve it with roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham, or garlic butter chicken for the holidays. It pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce for a full Thanksgiving spread. The creamy, savory flavors balance richer main dishes without competing for attention.

For lighter meals, serve it with a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette or a tomato-cucumber salad. The fresh, bright flavors cut through the richness of the casserole. Dinner rolls, sweet potato casserole, or roasted Brussels sprouts also make excellent companions on the holiday table.

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About the Author
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Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

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