Crispy Butter Beans Recipe in Your Air Fryer (2024)

This butter beans recipe is great to have in your back pocket as a snack or as an ingredient in dozens of recipes.

Canned butter beans are one of my favorite beans to play around with when making new legume recipes. Their size and texture provide almost a cream-like consistency. Also, unlike some beans, they’re easily found in any grocery store.

This air fryer butter bean recipe is a perfect and versatile dish with a delicious flavor. Add it to salads, quinoa bowls, or a main dish. The possibilities are endless.

Lima Beans Verus Butter Beans

Lima beans and butter beans are the same things. Just two different names for the same legume. But depending on who you ask, you might get a different answer.

Both the lima bean and butter bean are types of broad beans. With that said, lima beans are typically smaller beans with a somewhat more mealy texture. The butter beans get their name from the dairy product with a similarly rich consistency: butter. The lima beans get their name from the city of Lima, Peru.

Can I use dried butter beans?

Yes, you can dry beans. However, you’ll need to soak them in water, then pat them dry before putting them in the air fryer.

If you use dried beans, you’ll need to rehydrate them. In a large pot, soak dry beans overnight or for at least 8 hours in cold water. Make sure you use enough water so that the beans are completely submerged.

Making Air Fryer Butter Beans

Preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit.

Drain your butter beans and lay them out on a sheet of paper towel, and pat them dry.

In a large bowl, toss your beans with olive oil, spices, and salt to taste.

Spread your beans in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes (tossing them once halfway through the cooking time.)

Serve as a snack or in a salad.

How to Use Air Fryer Butter Beans

In a Brussel Sprout Salad

Try our shaved Brussel sprout salad with pancetta. Then add some air fried butter beans to make it a more substantial side salad or meal!

In An Adult Lunchable

Adult lunchables are bento boxes with small delicious portions of various foods. Need to add some protein to your lunchable? Use this butter bean recipe and swap out boring carrot sticks or celery.

On a Charcuterie Board

Nuts are common on charcuterie boards. But what about beans? Try these air fried butter beans on your next cheese and meat board. You could even add them to a savory breakfast charcuterie board.

As a Snack

This one is the easiest and my personal favorite. You know those 3 pm munchies you get during the week? Keep a Tupperware container of these beans handy at your desk for a healthy snack alternative.

Are butter beans healthy?

Butter beans and lima beans are definitely healthy! Like most beans, they’re packed with protein and a great meat alternative. Below are some benefits of our good friend the butter bean.

They Have Tons of Protein

According to Healthline, one cup of butter or lima beans has 12 grams of protein. This makes it a great protein-packed snack or meat substitute.

Can Help You Manage Your Weight

Butter beans also have a lot of fiber in them. For each cup, they have 9 grams of fiber. Like all fiber-rich food, eating butter beans in moderation can help control weight. There are also some studies that link a reduction in body fat with beans.

They’re Rich in Antioxidants

Butter beans are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants fight free radicals in the body, which are harmful compounds that can cause harm to the human body. You probably hear about antioxidants everywhere. It’s quite a buzzword lately. If you want to dive deep into them and learn more, here’s a great article on the benefits of antioxidants.

More Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Polenta Fries

Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli Recipe

Pizza Rolls in Air Fryer

Air Fryer jalapeno Poppers

Air Fryer Italian Sausage

Red Lobster Stuffed Mushrooms

Have questions or suggestions? Leave them in the comments below. Until next time: Stay salty, and sweet 😉