Crispy Southern Fried Green Beans
Crispy Southern Fried Green Beans that are battered and fried to crunchy deliciousness! Serve with Ranch or your favorite sauce for an irresistible side dish or appetizer.
Green beans are very plentiful here in the south during the summer months. Just about everyone who plants a garden plants beans. They are easy to plant, easy to grow, and pretty easy to pick.
Most of the time, you will find me canning green beans to store for the winter months. There is nothing quite like opening a jar of fresh beans and adding them to your soups, stews, or casseroles during the cold months.
Tonight, I had some green beans in my refrigerator that needed to be cooked, and fried green beans came to mind. Now, if you have never had fried green beans, then you are in for a treat. These beans are tender on the inside and have just the right amount of crunch on the outside. They are the best of both worlds.
Southern Fried Green Beans are crispy little bites of goodness. My family can’t seem to get enough of them. Sometimes, I even prepare a double batch. These are wonderful and delicious snacks or served as a side dish.
If you are a fan of fried appetizers, be sure to check out fried green tomatoes, fried okra, and fried squash. They are awesome served as a side dish or appetizer. You are sure to love them as well.
How Do You Prepare Fresh Green Beans for Frying
Rinse— Give the green beans a quick rinse.
Chop— I like to line the beans up on a cutting board to cut off the ends. This seems to make the process a little bit faster.
Blanch— Blanch the beans for just a few minutes. This will lock in the flavor and color of the beans before frying.
How Do You Make Southern Style Fried Green Beans
Frying Green Beans is really easy. There are only a few steps involved from start to finish. Blanch, Batter, and Fry.
First, blanch the beans. This is really an easy process. If you can boil water, then you can blanch beans. To Blanch– Bring a pot of water to a boil. Drop in the prepared green beans and boil for 2 minutes. Remove the beans to a bowl filled with ice and water. This will immediately stop the cooking process. Drain the water and blot dry with a paper towel. Set aside.
Next comes the batter. Add oil to a skillet, pot, or deep fryer of your choice. Heat to medium-high heat. I usually fry in a cast-iron skillet. While the oil is heating, mix your batter. You are going to have a wet and a dry batter. Mix your wet in a bowl. Set aside. Then mix your dry ingredients on a plate. Set aside.
Now you are ready to fry. It’s time to dip into the wet and dry batter. Dip the beans into the wet, then dry, then wet again, and finally dry. This will ensure a nice and crispy crust on the green beans. It is so worth it to double batter.
Gently drop into the hot oil and fry for about 2 minutes on each side or until nice and golden brown. You be the judge and fry until you are happy with the color and doneness.
Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients Needed for Fried Green Beans
flour
seasoned bread crumbs
garlic powder
black pepper
cayenne pepper
egg
milk
Tips and Variations for Fried Green Beans
Wash the green beans well.
Blanch the beans. Don’t over blanch–2 minutes will do the trick. Immediately drop the beans into an ice bath to stop the cooking process. You don’t want soggy beans.
Add the spices of your choice to the dry batter.
Test the oil to make sure it is hot before dropping in your beans.
Fry until you get the color and doneness to your liking. It usually only takes 2-3 minutes per side for me.
You can fry in a skillet, pot, or fryer of your choice.
Got Leftovers? What Should I do with Leftover Fried Green Beans?
These Green Beans are best when served hot. But, if you do find yourself with leftovers, you can reheat them in the oven—Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place green beans on a sheet pan in the oven. Heat for about 15 minutes or until hot. Ovens vary so watch closely. Let cool slightly before eating.
What Do I Serve With Fried Green Beans
Ranch
Comeback Sauce
Salsa
Thousand Island Dressing
More Great Appetizers:
Cream Cheese Buffalo Crescent Rolls
Crispy Southern Fried Green Beans
Ingredients
- 2 cups Flour all purpose flour
- 1 cup Seasoned Bread Crumbs
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- 1 egg beaten
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- Wash green beans and chop off the ends.
- Blanch beans for 2 minutes. Immediately drop into an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Blot dry with a paper towel. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a skillet, pot, or fryer of your choice. You will need enough oil to completely cover the beans while frying. While the oil is heating, mix the wet and dry batter.
- In a small bowl add the egg and milk. Mix well until combined. Set aside.
- On a plate, add flour, bread crumbs, and seasonings. Stir until mixed well. Set aside.
- Double Batter– Dip the green beans into the wet mix, then dry mix. Repeat. Dip into the wet mix, then dry mix.
- Carefully drop into the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side or until it reaches the desired doneness. Remove and drain on a paper-towel lined plate. Season with salt if desired.
These crispy fried green beans look delicious! I’ve never tried the double batter method before. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I’ll have to give these a try!
Uhhh…yum! This will have to go into my cheat night hopper!
You got me at crispy southern… I will definitely try this recipe. easy and sound so yummy
Southern green beans- yes! And agreed on the importance of blanching.
Never had fried green beans. It sounds great though.
I’ve never heard of Southern fried green beans but they sound delicious! I love the idea of working these in for my kids to have as an occasional snack or side dish. The cayenne pepper seems to add a fun little kick. Thank you for sharing this great, easy recipe.
These must be so addictive. I love battered and deep fried veggies!
This is a very cool recipe to get my kids to eat their vegetables, love it!
I am so making this – I’m seriously craving! Why have I never thought about it?:) Glad I have found your recipe and instructions – never bleached green beans before either; it will be a first.
You can do it! Blanching veggies is an easy process and locks in the flavor. Enjoy!
I’ve never thought of cooking green beans this way. They sound lovely. Once our beans start to fruit I’m going to try this, it could be the answer to why my son doesn’t like green beans.
Sometimes we have to disguise our veggies for our children to eat them. These are really yummy! Hope your son loves them.
My whole family would love these! It’s hard to pass up anything tossed in batter and fried, especially with a side of ranch 😋
You are so right! I love just about anything fried with a side of Ranch.
These looks so yummy and easy to prepare!
My family loves green beans and also loves anything battered. Not sure why I haven’t tried frying green beans like this before, it sounds so good. Thank you! Will be trying this soon.
Mine turned out so good
So glad you enjoyed the recipe!