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Air Fryer Baked Beans

Name: Air Fryer Baked Beans
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 28 ounces baked beans (any flavor); 1/4 cup onions (diced, and cooked); 1/4 cup bacon (diced, and cooked); 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup ketchup; 1 tablespoon mustard (yellow); 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 1 tablespoon honey

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These Air Fryer baked beans are perfect as a quick and easy side for your summer BBQ party.

Start with some canned beans and with just a few other ingredients, you’ll have the perfect saucy and smoky beans ready in no time. If you’ve got a potluck or an outdoor party coming up, these beans are just perfect to take along and feed a crowd.

Cooked baked beans bubbling in a cast iron skillet, showcasing a rich, savory sauce and topped with crispy bacon bits.

Baked beans are a staple for me when it comes to summer cooking, and I never thought I’d make it in the Air Fryer, if I’m being honest.

But who am I kidding? I’ve tried making practically all my summer favorites including shrimp tacos, BBQ salmon, BBQ chicken wings and corn on the cob in my Air Fryer, and I’m so glad I did, because they turned out nothing less than amazing.

And a few days back, when I saw that can of beans in my pantry, it was like a lightbulb moment for me.

I thought, why not go ahead and try jazzing it up, and getting it ready in my Air Fryer?

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Easy to make: You’ll need just a can of beans, some pantry staples and your trusty Air Fryer to make baked beans in the Air Fryer.
Full of flavor: The dish is a riot of tangy and savory flavors, and is incredibly versatile too.
Family favorite: The classic flavors are sure to make it a total hit with everyone in the family- even with picky eaters.

Ingredients For the Air Fryer Baked Beans Recipe

Ingredients Needed for Air Fryer Baked Beans

Baked beans: Use canned beans. I used Bush’s Baked Beans, but you could use pretty much any brand of your choice.
Onion: Sweet onions are the best choice for this recipe. I chopped them up and sauteed them too.
Bacon: Some diced, cooked bacon to lend a bit of crunch and saltiness to the baked beans.
Seasonings: Just a bit of salt and some brown sugar for that rich, deep sweetness.
Ketchup: To add some extra flavor to the beans.
Yellow mustard: Use honey mustard or Dijon mustard. Whatever you prefer.
Honey: To add sweetness to the dish.
Worcestershire sauce: For an extra layer of flavor.
Apple cider vinegar: To add a bit of zing to the beans. Use white vinegar if you don’t have this.

Variations & Substitutions

Gluten free: Start with gluten-free baked beans and make sure the condiments (ketchup, Worcestershire sauce etc) you’re using are gluten-free.
Dr Pepper style: Transform these simple air fried baked beans into Dr Pepper baked beans by adding about ¼ cup of Dr Pepper into the mix.
Make it hearty: Swap the bacon and add some ground beef into the mix to make the baked beans more hearty and filling.

How to Make Air Fryer Baked Beans

Mixing the cooked beans with the sautéed ingredients and sauce in a bowl.

Preheat your Air Fryer to 380 degrees, and get all your ingredients ready.

Mix time: In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients. Transfer the mixture to a small oven-safe casserole dish.

Transferring the bean mixture into the air fryer basket, ready for cooking.

Air fry: Pop the dish in the Air Fryer and set the timer to 15 to 20 minutes and let it cook, stirring a few times in between.

Tips & Tricks to Make the Baked Beans in the Air Fryer

Don’t have honey? Use maple syrup or some brown sugar to lend sweetness to the dish.
Remember to stir the beans 2-3 times throughout the cooking time. This will ensure all the beans are cooked to perfection.
To lend the baked beans a nice kick of heat, add some cayenne pepper or smoked paprika into the mix.
Sliced hot dogs or sausages also make for an excellent addition to these Air Fryer baked beans.
You can also add chopped veggies like tomatoes and bell peppers to the dish to make it more hearty.

Storage Instructions

Refrigeration: Baked beans are a classic comfort food, but if you do have leftovers, let them come down to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container and let them refrigerate for 2-3 days.

Reheating: I would recommend using the microwave or your Air Fryer to reheat the baked beans. You could also add them to a pan with a splash of water and reheat them over the stovetop if you wanted to.

Serving Ideas & Suggestions

These saucy and savory baked beans are super versatile- you can team them up with pretty much anything!

I always end up making them with my Air Fryer loaded nachos and my breakfast pizza waffles.

And of course, the easiest way to enjoy them is to pair them with some sandwiches or burgers. Try serving them with some hot honey chicken sandwiches or a simple Air Fryer turkey sandwich or even just some air fried jalapeno popper chicken.

I particularly love serving these saucy beans with my Air Fryer firecracker salmon.

And of course, you can always go the classic way and serve the beans with some cornbread. I always end up pairing it with my Air Fryer skillet cornbread.

FAQs

Can I make this with any other kind of beans? Yes, you totally can! Kidney beans, navy beans, pinto beans and white beans are all great choices.

Can I use dry beans instead of canned beans for this recipe? You can! I would recommend soaking the beans overnight before you use them though. Also, keep in mind that you may need to cook them for longer too. Check for their doneness before you get them out.

What can I do with leftover air fried baked beans? If you have some leftover baked beans, you can use them to make copycat Skyline Cincinnati chili or a delicious Air Fryer taco pie. They can also make for a delicious filling for your homemade tacos- don’t forget to top them with lots of cheese, jalapenos and other toppings of your choice.

Can I make baked beans in the oven? Yes, you can use your oven to make the baked beans too, if that’s what you prefer. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and bake the beans for up to 10 minutes or more.

More Air Fryer Side Dishes!

Love this recipe for air fryer beans, check out some of my other favorites:

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