Air Fryer Roasted Adzuki Beans with Star Anise and Five-Spice

Name: Air Fryer Roasted Adzuki Beans with Star Anise and Five-Spice
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 28 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 30 oz (850 g) canned adzuki beans, drained, rinsed, and patted very dry with paper towels; 2½ tablespoons (38 ml) toasted sesame oil; 1½ teaspoons (6 g) five-spice powder; 4 pods star anise pods, left whole; ¾ teaspoon (4½ g) kosher salt; to taste freshly ground black pepper; ½ teaspoon (2 g) garlic powder (optional); 2 stalks (30 g) fresh scallions, thinly sliced, white and light green parts separated (optional); 1 tablespoon (9 g) sesame seeds (white or black), toasted (optional)

From the MyKitchenBank Kitchen

Crispy roasted adzuki beans infused with warm star anise and five-spice powder, finished with a light sesame oil glaze. This East Asian–inspired snack or side dish delivers nutty, aromatic flavors with a satisfying crunch. Ready in under 30 minutes from cooked beans.

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 18 min
Total: 28 min
Makes: 4 servings (about 1 cup per serving)

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Steps

Before you start

Use canned adzuki beans, drained and patted very dry (moisture prevents crisping)
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C)
Have all spices measured and ready to add quickly

1
Coat beans with oil and spices
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the drained adzuki beans with the sesame oil.
- Toss gently but thoroughly with a wooden spoon to coat all the beans evenly.
- Sprinkle the five-spice powder, kosher salt, and garlic powder (if using) over the beans.
- Add 2 or 3 grinding twists of black pepper.
- Toss again until all beans are evenly coated and the spice is distributed.
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Ready when: Beans are glossy and spices are evenly distributed with no dry spots
Tip: Do not skip patting the beans dry—any residual water will create steam and prevent crisping.
2
Arrange beans in air fryer basket
- Spread the coated beans in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Distribute the star anise pods evenly among the beans—they will infuse the oil and beans with their licorice-like aroma.
- Do not overcrowd; the beans should have room for hot air to circulate.
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Ready when: Beans and star anise are spread in a single, even layer
Tip: If your batch seems crowded, roast in two batches rather than piling beans on top of each other.
3
Roast at high heatOven 375°F / 190°C
- Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and roast for 15–18 minutes.
- Shake the basket vigorously every 5 minutes to ensure even browning and to prevent the beans from sticking.
- The beans should turn a deep golden brown and become crispy on the outside.
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Ready when: Beans are golden brown and make a light rattling sound when shaken; they should feel dry and crispy to the touch
Tip: Shaking every 5 minutes is critical—it prevents any beans from burning on one side and ensures even crisping.
4
Cool and garnish
- Transfer the roasted beans and star anise to a serving bowl.
- Let them cool for 2–3 minutes so they fully crisp up as they cool.
- Top with toasted sesame seeds and the sliced scallion whites and light green parts (if using).
- Toss gently and serve warm or at room temperature.
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Ready when: Beans have cooled slightly and feel completely crisp; sesame seeds and scallions are scattered on top
Tip: Reserve a few star anise pods on top for visual appeal and easy removal for guests who prefer to avoid them.

Good to know

Tips

Patting the beans completely dry is the single most important step for achieving a crispy texture. Invest a minute in this step.
The star anise pods remain after cooking. You can eat them (they soften slightly and become chewable) or remove them before eating, depending on preference.
For extra spice heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder before roasting.
Serve these beans warm over rice, in grain bowls, alongside roasted vegetables, or on their own as a crunchy, umami-rich snack.

Make ahead

Beans can be roasted up to 24 hours in advance. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Recrisp in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes before serving.

Storage & reheating

Room temperature: up to 2 days in an airtight container. Refrigerator: up to 4 days in an airtight container (they will soften slightly). Freezer: not recommended, as texture deteriorates. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes to restore crispness.

Substitutions

canned adzuki beans → cooked fresh adzuki beans (1 lb/450 g, drained and patted dry) or canned black soybeans. Cooked fresh beans take about 1 hour to prepare from dried. Black soybeans offer a slightly earthier flavor but the same crispy texture.
five-spice powder → ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon + ½ teaspoon ground cloves + ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper. Approximates the warm, complex spice blend of five-spice powder if you don't have it on hand.
toasted sesame oil → peanut oil or neutral vegetable oil. You will lose the distinctive nutty, toasted sesame aroma, but the beans will still crisp beautifully. Reduce to 2 tablespoons if using a neutral oil.
star anise pods → 2 cinnamon sticks or 1 teaspoon anise seeds. Star anise delivers a milder flavor when substituted with anise seeds; cinnamon sticks will shift the flavor profile toward warm spice rather than licorice.