Preheat the air fryer: Set it to 390°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes. A hot basket helps the pods crisp faster.

Season the edamame: In a bowl, toss the frozen edamame with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. If you like heat, add red pepper flakes.

Load the basket: Add the edamame to the air fryer in a single layer. A slight overlap is fine, but avoid packing it tight.

Air fry: Cook for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway. The pods should have a light char and feel dry on the surface but tender inside.

Finish and taste: Transfer to a bowl. Squeeze a bit of lemon or lime over the top and taste. Add a pinch more salt if needed.

Serve: Enjoy hot. To eat, hold the pod and pull the beans out with your teeth. Discard the pods.