There’s been some serious online buzz about the Oven-Fried Pickles I made a few weeks back. Of course, I loved them so much we had to make them again since then, so I can see why people are loving them so much.
I’m beginning to see a pattern: vegetables + Panko = crunchy success!
And then I Stumbled Upon a recipe for Green Bean Fries that also called for Panko breadcrumbs. Except they were fried in a vat of oil. Certainly that wouldn’t fly.
With the oven-fried pickles still at the forefront of my mind, I figured the green bean fries could be backed to a crispy perfection.
Ends up, I was right.
My theory on vegetables and Panko holds true.
Parents and those with picky eaters and vegetable-haters to feed, I encourage you to try this recipe. The green beans are detectable, but not prominent. And the crunch of the Panko quickly deters any attention a green bean may attract. 
Baked Green Bean Fries adapted from Savory Reviews
1/2 lb green beans
1 cup flour
1 egg
1/2 cup skim milk
2 cups panko bread crumbs
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
Kosher salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 F.
Fill a large pan with 2-3 inches of water and bring to a boil. While water comes to a boil, trim the green beans. Prepare a large bowl of ice water and set aside.
Blanch the beans for 3 minutes and immediately remove them to the ice bath.
To prepare beans, gather three bowls. In the first bowl, combine the flour and spices. In the second bowl, combine the egg and milk, whisking to combine. In the third and final bowl, place the panko and season with salt and pepper. Remove 2 tablespoons of the flour mixture and whisk into the egg/milk mixture.
Pat the beans dry and dredge in the flour mixture, then into the milk/egg mixture, and finally into the panko to coat. Arrange the beans in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil which has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Prepare all of the beans in that manner. Lightly spray beans with olive oil spray.
Bake beans at 425 F for 15 minutes, or until slightly browned. Yield: 6 appetizer or side portions (about 10 green beans).
Nutrition Information (per serving): 139 calories; 1.5 g. fat; 36 mg. cholesterol; 194 mg. sodium; 27.5 g. carbohydrate; 0.7 g. fiber; 6 g. protein
Result: Crunchy, light, and a fun twist on both a veggie side and traditional French fries. Mr. Prevention loved these, as well. Two thumbs up from us! Enjoy!
So I had my green bean fries, but then came the predicament of what to dip them in. Wanting a change from our go-to light ranch dressing, I opted for a quick search through my recipe inbox and decided on a Basil Aioli.
Basil Aioli from A Cozy Kitchen
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup packed basil leaves
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1 medium garlic clove, pressed
pinch of salt
1/2 cup light olive oil-based mayonnaise
Directions:
Process ingredients together in a food processor. Refrigerate until served. Yield: 9 tablespoons.
Nutrition Information (per tablespoon): 59 calories; 6.4 g. fat; 5 mg. cholesterol; 128 mg. sodium; 1.2 g. carbohydrate; 0 g. fiber; 0.1 g. protein
Result: Creamy and flavorful and packed with healthy fat. The perfect dipping sauce for your low-calorie baked treat 
This would also be great as a dollop on mashed potatoes, on meat, etc. Delicious! Enjoy!
Question: What fried food do you love but wish were healthier?
Bake’em,
![Photo](http://i799.photobucket.com/albums/yy280/preventionrd/webshotcopy.jpg?t=1302742583"V")
Mmmm…we had fried green beans the other night as an app at a bar, but they were SO heavy. These sound like a much healthier version!
Thanks for the idea, I’m adding this “panko” idea to my wellness class on how to get your kids involved in the kitchen. Brilliant! Of course, I’ve still never used Panko, can you believe it?! I use breadcrumbs, but haven’t run out of my breadcrumbs and am too cheap to buy Panko before I run out. Next time though…Panko!
I wish wings were healthier. I would eat them everyday.
Once you use Panko, you’ll never go back to breadcrumbs…they’re like half the calories and fat, if I remember correctly. It’s substantial! And the crunch factor – unbeatable
I love green bean fries now – but haven’t tried anything like this! This looks amazing.
I love french fries and sweet potato fries – fried fish too!
I need to try the fried pickles too – something for July.
Girl, you are clever!!! I’ve got a big box of Panko in my pantry right now, and now I know how I’m going to use it!
I hope you guys like the fries!
Girl, you are genius! My hubby and I always split an order of green bean fries when we go to my favorite restaurant. I’m VERY glad to have a less indulgent option now!
Doesn’t the word aoili just scream fancy? I love it
And these look fab!
I totally agree…very fancy! I’ve never made it before, but now I know it’s really simple
They look awesome— my Grandfather’s garden just made piles and piles of green beans. These are on the menu for next week now.
By the way— received my food scale in the 2 weeks ago from your giveaway. It is a really nice addition to the kitchen. We’ve been weighing everything and my husband has been seeing nice results with his diet! Thanks again!
Heather, that’s wonderful! You’re very welcome!
I hope you guys enjoy the green beans!
OK – so our town’s farmers market is tonight and I will so be making these for dinner. YUM.
Awesome! I hope you guys like them
You rock…I have an entire grocery bag of green beans I’ve picked this week, and plenty of fresh basil!!! Making these as soon as I remember to get panko from the store!
Awesome! I remember seeing green bean fries at TGI Fridays or something like that once and wondered about them… I’ve made zucchini fries, but that’s about as far as I’ve ventured…
I’ve been dying to try these!! I love that you baked them
I never thought I would say this but…those green beans look delicious!
One fried food that I love but wish was healthier is fried Oreos. I don’t know how they could possibly be healthified, but I love them so much!
They look awesome! My favorite fried food that I wish was healthier are french fries….but the good thing is that I actually enjoy baking the potatoes instead! Instead of feeding the baked green bean fries to kids, can I try it on my hubby? LOL! He’s not a fan of too many veggies but I bet he’d love this!
LOVE! Hannah and I love the fried green beans at Friday’s – I am definitely putting these on the list of things to make – thanks Nicole!
These look amazing! I’ll be trying these once my beans have fully grown!
Yum!! I tried the “baked” fried pickles this weekend. Only my gluten-free bread crumbs kinda sucked and ended up making wadded corn balls. I need to try a different brand. I like faux fried foods at home because I can’t eat gluten filled fried foods out.
Oh my goodness these look good. I knew there was a reason I needed to buy panko.
What a fantastic idea! I bet I could get Apolinaras to eat his green beans if I made them this way
These look great! We are in the process of moving but once we get settled this will be one of the first things I make!
Good luck with the move! I know what a bear it is!
[...] interest was first piqued by this recipe for green bean fries. Ever since I found out I was allergic to asparagus, I’ve returned to my first green love, [...]
[...] from Prevention RD [...]
[...] interest was first piqued by this recipe for green bean fries. Ever since I found out I was allergic to asparagus, I’ve returned to my first green love, [...]
I think I set myself up to fail on this one, g beans this time of year aren’t the best in Michigan :/ the cruch was great but our beans were off? Think I’ll have to try the oven friend pickles soon, those are always in season
Bummer! I can nearly GUARANTEE you’ll love the baked “fried” pickles…we can’t get enough of them! I started pickling just to make them!