Crispy White Beans
These crispy white beans are a protein-packed recipe made in less than 20 minutes! It’s easy to turn a simple can of beans into a crunchy snack that’s perfect for tossing on salads or serving as a side dish.

If you’ve been around here long, you know I’m a big fan of my air fryer! It’s such a quick way to whip up a healthy side dish, whether it’s roasted broccolini or pasta chips. These white beans are no exception! They’re crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor thanks to smoked paprika and garlic powder.
Ingredients
- Cannellini or great northern beans – Both types of these beans have a creamy interior and mild flavor that pairs well with spices.
- Olive oil – A little oil is essential for getting these beans nice and crispy. You can use any neutral oil.
- Spices – Garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper give these beans so much flavor!
My Favorite Air Fryer
For years, I used this Ninja Foodi Grill, but a few years ago, I switched to this Hamilton Beach air fryer, which is all stainless steel. Both of them work great, but I’ve been trying to eliminate non-stick cookware from my routine, so I like that the Hamilton Beach option is all stainless steel. It heats up quickly, and I can even put in two trays at a time if I’m making a large batch.
How to Make Crispy Beans in the Air Fryer
Ways to Serve Crispy Beans
These beans are so versatile! Enjoy them as a crunchy snack straight out of the air fryer, sprinkle them over salads for extra texture, or use them as a flavorful topping for grain bowls and soups. I love them on top of this creamy tomato soup.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For the best texture, re-crisp in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes before serving.
PrintCrispy White Beans
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 miutes
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These crispy white beans are a protein-packed recipe made in less than 20 minutes! It’s easy to turn a simple can of beans into a crunchy snack that’s perfect for tossing on salads or serving as a side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 (15oz) can cannellini or great northern beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Instructions
- Drain, rinse, and pat the beans really dry with a clean towel or paper towels. The drier they are, the crispier they’ll get.
- In a bowl, toss the beans with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, and salt until evenly coated.
- Spread the beans in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 400 degrees for 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crispy.
- They’ll crisp up even more as they cool. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.