Crispy Butter Beans (Air Fried or Roasted)

This crispy butter beans recipe transforms basic pantry staples, by oven or air fryer, into a moreish yet healthy, fiber and protein-dense snack, soup & salad topper, or side!

Why You’ll Love Crispy Butter Beans

Butter beans are mild and creamy with a buttery texture, popularly used in casseroles, stews, and dishes like my creamy butter beans with sun-dried tomatoes. However, if you’ve ever tried air fryer chickpeas or crispy lentils, you’ll know that roasting (or air frying) these basic pantry legumes transforms them into a crunchy, savory, moreish snack, side, or garnish.

These roasted or air fried butter beans are quick, easy, and affordable, with endless seasoning options. Simply drain, dry, toss with oil and spices, and roast or air fry until crispy. The result is a wholesome, high-protein, high-fiber alternative to fried, ultra-processed snacks and a delicious addition to your dinner plate, like with my creamy peanut butter curry.

You might also like other healthy snacks like homemade potato chips, air fryer zucchini chips, crispy lentil crackers, and/or homemade Doritos.

The Ingredients

• Butter beans: (lima beans) Use canned butter beans for ease (regular or reduced-sodium).
• Oil: Use any neutral oil, like olive oil or avocado oil, for crispiness.
• Seasonings: I used a simple savory spice mix of garlic powder, paprika, ground cumin, salt, and curry powder (or garam masala).
• Parmesan cheese: I used vegan parmesan cheese. Nutritional yeast also works.

Tip: Toss the beans with cornstarch for extra crispy skins.

More Seasoning Options

• Herbs: Fresh or dried rosemary, thyme, chives, dill, Italian seasoning, etc.
• Heat: i.e., chili powder, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, etc.
• Other spices: Turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, sumac, onion powder, etc.
• Seasonings: BBQ seasoning, taco seasoning, harissa, za’atar, Cajun, Tajin, etc.
• Lemon zest: (or lime) For brightness.
• Balsamic (Drizzle before roasting/ air frying for bright, tangy flavor)

For the full ingredients list, measurements, complete recipe method, and nutritional information, read the recipe card below.

How To Make Crispy Butter Beans

• Drain and rinse the butter beans, then gently pat them dry with a paper towel until fully dry.
• Toss with the oil, vegan parmesan, and spices to evenly coat.

Tip: Toss the beans with a little cornstarch (or potato starch or arrowroot flour) for extra crispy skins.

Air Fryer butter beans (my preferred method)

• Spread the beans in a single layer in the basket and gently smash them with your thumb.
• Air fry at 380°F/190°C for 15–20 minutes, shaking halfway through.
• Enjoy immediately or let them cool completely.

Oven method (not as crispy)

• Preheat the oven to 380°F/190°C.
• Spread the beans on a baking tray in a single layer and gently smash them with your thumb.
• Bake for about 25–30 minutes, or until crispy and golden. Flipping them halfway through and lightly spraying with cooking spray helps them crisp up more evenly.

Storage Information

Leave the butter beans to fully cool, then store in an airtight container at room temp for 2-3 days, though it’s best to enjoy them immediately. If they soften, re-crisp them in the oven/ air fryer for a few minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy these nutritious crispy butter beans either warm or fully cooled:

• Snacking (Enjoy the butter bean snack alone or as part of a savory trail mix)
• Over toast (Like avocado toast, mushroom toast, or with white bean dip)
• Salad Topper (for Lebanese Fattoush salad, Mexican avocado salad, couscous salad)
• In Buddha bowls/grain bowls (vegan Buddha bowl or Hasselback potato bowl)
• Soup garnish (I.e., for vegan asparagus soup, broccoli soup, vegan lentil soup, etc.)
• Other mains (like peanut curry as pictured above or sweet potato curry, alongside creamy onion pasta with tomatoes, one-pan Mexican rice, spinach lentil quinoa casserole, etc.)

FAQs

Can I do this with other beans?

Sure! This method should work for any white beans (cannellini beans, navy beans, great northern beans), black beans, pinto beans, chickpeas, etc. Roasted broad beans work well, too. Note, each bean has a slightly different texture and flavor.

Can I roast (or air fry) butter beans without oil?

Technically, yes, but the beans won’t become as crispy.

Can I use dried beans?

Sure, simply soak then cook them first.

Are roasted butter beans healthy?

According to Healthline, butter beans (aka lima beans) are a great source of fiber, protein, and several vitamins and minerals, like manganese, copper, magnesium, iron, and vitamin C. When combined with a little healthy-fat oil and seasonings, they are a nutrient-dense snack.

Recipe Notes and Top Tips

• Drain, rinse, and pat dry: Ensure the beans are fully dry before seasoning them for maximum crispiness. A dish towel (or paper towels) works well.
• Don’t overcrowd the tray: Leaving space ensures maximum air flow for crispiness.
• Let them cool: While you can enjoy them straight away, they crisp up as they cool.
• Experiment with flavors: Use your favorite herbs, spices, and seasoning blends for these crispy beans.

More Vegan Bean Recipes

• Roasted garlic white bean dip
• Vegan black bean brownies
• Kidney bean salad with tahini dressing
• Instant Pot refried beans
• Vegan quesadillas with black beans

Or any of these 33 must-try vegan chickpea recipes.

If you try this crispy butter beans recipe, I’d love a comment and ★★★★★ recipe rating below. Also, please tag me in re-creations on Instagram or Facebook with @elavegan and #elavegan – I love seeing them.

Crispy Butter Beans

Author: Michaela Vais

This crispy roasted butter beans recipe transforms basic pantry staples, by oven or air fryer, into a moreish yet healthy, fiber and protein-dense snack, soup & salad topper, or side!

5 from 1 vote

Servings 4

Prep 5 minutes mins

Cook 15 minutes mins

Total 20 minutes mins

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Video

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 (15 oz) can butter beans
• ▢ 1 Tbsp olive oil
• ▢ 1 Tbsp vegan Parmesan
• ▢ 1 tsp garlic powder
• ▢ 1 tsp paprika
• ▢ ½ tsp ground cumin
• ▢ ½ tsp salt
• ▢ ½ tsp curry powder

Instructions

 

• You can watch the video for visual instructions.

  Drain and rinse the butter beans, then gently pat them dry with a paper towel until fully dry.
• Toss with the oil, vegan parmesan, and spices to evenly coat.

  Tip: Toss the beans with a little cornstarch (or potato starch or arrowroot flour) for extra crispy skins.

Air Fryer (my preferred method)

• Spread the beans in a single layer in the basket and gently smash them with your thumb.
• Air fry at 380°F/190°C for 15–20 minutes, shaking halfway through.
• Enjoy immediately or let them cool completely.

Oven method (not as crispy)

• Preheat the oven to 380°F/190°C.
• Spread the beans on a baking tray in a single layer and gently smash them with your thumb.
• Bake for about 25–30 minutes, or until crispy and golden. Flipping them halfway through and lightly spraying with cooking spray helps them crisp up more evenly.

Notes

• Drain, rinse, and pat dry: Ensure the beans are fully dry before seasoning them for maximum crispiness. A dish towel (or paper towels) works well.
• Don’t overcrowd the tray: Leaving space ensures maximum air flow for crispiness.
• Let them cool: While you can enjoy them straight away, they crisp up as they cool.
• Experiment with flavors: Use your favorite herbs, spices, and seasoning blends for these crispy beans.
• Serve with creamy peanut curry.

Nutrition Facts

Crispy Butter Beans

Amount per Serving

Calories

106

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

4

g

6

%

Saturated Fat

 

1

g

5

%

Sodium

 

425

mg

18

%

Potassium

 

334

mg

10

%

Carbohydrates

 

9

g

3

%

Fiber

 

5

g

20

%

Sugar

 

2

g

2

%

Protein

 

5

g

10

%

Vitamin A

 

252

IU

5

%

Calcium

 

310

mg

31

%

Iron

 

2

mg

11

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically

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