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Crispy and savory, this air fryer edamame is the perfect healthy snack! They’re made with frozen edamame and a handful of kid-friendly seasonings for a cheesy flavor (without any dairy). My kids love these!

Air fryer edamame in a blue and white plaid bowl.

Cooking Edamame in the Air Fryer

If your kids love crunchy textures like potato chips or French fries, these air-fried edamame beans are a great alternative! Of course, they aren’t exactly the same as prepackaged potato chips, but they’re warm and crunchy with lots of flavor.

We can’t help but munch through the whole batch in one sitting! They’re great for movie night, as a fun appetizer, a tasty side dish, or a great healthy snack to enjoy together!

A birds-eye view of air fryer edamame in a bowl.

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Edamame beans are a great source of protein, fiber, folate, vitamin K, and other essential minerals
  • Naturally cheesy flavor from the nutritional yeast, which is high in B vitamins
  • Uses frozen edamame for minimal prep (we keep a bag in our freezer at all times)
  • Super easy air fryer recipe
  • Easy to customize with your favorite seasonings
  • Warm and crunchy straight from the air fryer
  • Only takes about 12 minutes to cook!

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients required for air fryer edamame with labels.
  • Frozen edamame: These are immature soybeans commonly used in Japanese recipes and stir-fries. You can usually find them in the freezer section at the grocery store. If you can only find whole edamame, be sure to remove the beans from the edamame pods.
  • Olive oil: To help the seasonings stick to the edamame and develop a crispy texture.
  • Seasonings: I like to use a blend of nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Nutritional yeast tastes really cheesy and works well with the garlic and onion powder.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. If using frozen edamame, place in a large bowl and cover with water. Allow it to stand for several minutes to thaw, then drain.
  2. Place edamame on a lint-free paper towel and pat dry. Transfer to a bowl and toss with oil. Add the nutritional yeast, seasonings and salt, and toss to coat.
  3. Transfer edamame to the air fryer basket. You do not have to preheat the air fryer. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Cook for 8-12 minutes, or until you’ve achieved your desired level of crispiness, shaking the basket halfway through. 
  4. When the edamame is roasted and crispy, carefully pour onto a paper towel-lined plate or bowl. Taste and add another pinch of salt, if desired. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!

RECIPE TIPS

  • For the best taste, eat the air fried edamame right after cooking them in the air fryer. They start to lose some of their crispiness after sitting for a while. 
  • This edamame is best for older children over the age of two since it has a more crispy texture that may be difficult for really little ones to chew. 
  • Arrange the edamame in a single layer in the air fryer, to maximize the crunchiness.
  • For best results, dry off as much moisture from the edamame as you can before roasting. 
A close-up of air fryer edamame in a bowl lined with a towel.

Recipe FAQs

Can you air fry edamame?

The air fryer is a great way to make crispy edamame to enjoy as a snack or healthy appetizer! This version uses frozen edamame, which is so convenient, and then you toss it in olive oil with some spices. 

Can you make crispy edamame in the oven?

Yes, but it helps to have an oven with a convection setting. First, let the oven get nice and hot, then stir the edamame 1-2 times to crisp it up all around.

Can you make air fryer edamame ahead of time?

I don’t recommend making this recipe and storing it for later. The edamame will soften up and lose its crispy texture. Since it’s so easy to make, ideally, I recommend making a fresh batch any time you need it.

Storage Guidelines

  • This crispy air fryer edamame has the best texture and crunch right out of the air fryer. If you have extras, store them in an airtight container, ideally lined with a paper towel to absorb any excess oil or moisture.
  • To reheat: If you have leftovers, you can try to crisp them up again by reheating them in the air fryer at 400 F for 3-5 minutes.
Two bowls of air fryer edamame on a table.

Serving Suggestions

I like to serve these crispy edamame beans as an afternoon snack, usually after school. They’re a fun alternative to popcorn on movie nights and a nice option along with stir-fries, teriyaki, or Asian-inspired dishes.

You can also mix them in with a homemade trail mix for extra protein and crunch!

Or serve them as a healthy side dish with your little one’s favorite chicken tenders. They’re easy to eat and are packed with fiber and protein to keep them going!

Recipe Variations

  • Change the seasonings: This is the easiest way to tweak this snack! Use your favorite low-sodium seasoning blend. They’d be good in taco seasoning, BBQ rub, ranch powder, and more. Grown-ups like spicy air fryer edamame with red pepper flakes!
  • Use fresh edamame: You won’t find fresh edamame all year round, but the fresh ones have a wonderful texture. Make sure you remove the beans from the pods and reduce the cooking time a bit.
  • Use cooking spray: Instead of tossing the little beans in oil, spritz them with a little oil spray. 
Air fryer edamame in a blue and white decorated bowl.

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A small bowl of air fried edamame ready to serve.
Recipe
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Air Fryer Frozen Edamame

Created by Elysia Cartlidge
Servings: 8 servings
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Crispy and savory, this air fryer edamame is the perfect healthy snack! They're made with frozen edamame and a handful of kid-friendly seasonings for a cheesy flavor (without any dairy). My kids love these!

Ingredients
 

  • 1 16-ounce pack frozen edamame, shelled and thawed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1-2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • If using frozen edamame, place it in a large bowl and cover with water. Allow it to stand for several minutes to thaw, then drain.
  • Place edamame on a lint-free paper towel and pat dry. Transfer to a bowl and toss with oil. Add the nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder and salt, and toss to coat.
  • Transfer edamame to the air fryer basket. You do not have to preheat the air fryer. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Cook for 8-12 minutes, or until you've achieved your desired level of crispiness, shaking the basket halfway through. 
  • When the edamame is roasted and crispy, carefully pour onto a paper towel-lined plate or bowl. Taste and add another pinch of salt, if desired. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Notes

  • For the best taste, eat the air fried edamame right after cooking them in the air fryer. They start to lose some of their crispiness after sitting for a while. 
  • This edamame is best for older children over the age of two since it has a more crispy texture that may be difficult for really little ones to chew. 
  • Arrange the edamame in a single layer in the air fryer, to maximize the crunchiness.
  • For best results, dry off as much moisture from the edamame as you can before roasting.

Nutrition

Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 73mg | Potassium: 193mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg
A small bowl of air fried edamame ready to serve.

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