Updated: By Leanne 14 Comments
These 21 Air Fryer Side Dishes will make your weeknight dinners easy and delicious. From potatoes and carrots, to okra and eggplant, this list has a side dish to go with every meal!
If you’re anything like me, you might find yourself always going for the same side dishes, or pressed for time in the evenings and rushing to prepare dinner.
I’ve been turning to my air fryer quite a bit lately for quick and easy side dishes. So, I wanted to round up some air fryer sides that we could all keep in our back pockets. This list includes some of my tried and true favourites, as well as some new and delicious options from fellow food bloggers.
And, with Christmas and the American Thanksgiving just around the corner, these air fryer side dish recipes can also help you round out your holiday menu.
What is an air fryer?
An air fryer is a countertop appliance that ‘fries’ food by rapidly circulating hot air around it to achieve a crispy texture (for most foods) with much less oil than a deep fryer. The air circulation evenly cooks food, and the air fryer’s compact cooking space helps cook food quicker than in the oven. And while they take up a bit of counter space, they’re simple to use and they make clean up easy too.
Reasons to use an air fryer to prepare side dishes
- Air fryers usually cook food in less time, so a side dish that might take 30 minutes in the oven, can be ready in almost half the time in an air fryer.
- They free up valuable oven space, which is especially important if you’re cooking a big meal and need your oven space for main dishes.
- It’s also a great alternative to using your oven when the days are hot and you just don’t want to turn on your oven.
- You can get crispy food, like french fries or tortilla chips, with minimal oil.
- It’s also a delicious way to roast up veggies that are fork tender with caramelized edges.
What type of air fryer do you recommend?
For most of my recipes, I use a Philips air fryer with a 2.75 quart capacity. I’m usually cooking for two, so this size works well for me. I also have a Cuisinart air fryer/convection/toaster oven, which is essentially a toaster oven with a built in air fryer. It has a larger air frying surface than the Philips, so it’s perfect for preparing double batches of side dishes. It usually gets used when I’m preparing a meal for a crowd.
Air fryer brands will differ slightly in operation (for example, some need to preheat, while others don’t) and they also come in different sizes and capacity. That’s why I always note in my recipes that depending on the make and model of your air fryer, you may need to adjust the temperature and air frying time slightly.
These 21 Air Fryer Side Dishes will help make your weeknight dinners easy and delicious! From potatoes and carrots, to okra and eggplant, this list has a side dish to go with every meal. 1 Next time you roast carrots, try them in the air fryer. These Air Fryer Carrots are quick and easy, with sweet, savoury and spicy options included in the recipe. 2 Air Fryer Butternut Squash Home Fries are a great way to change up your side dishes. They're sweet and spicy, with a simple seasoning of herbs, spices and maple syrup. 3 Photo Credit:carmyy.com If you want your Brussels sprouts crispy on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside, you need to try these Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts. 4 Photo Credit:littlesunnykitchen.com These Air Fryer Mushrooms are tasty and simple to make with a few basic ingredients including soy sauce and rosemary. 5 Photo Credit:www.persnicketyplates.com Easy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes are fluffy and tender on the inside with a crispy skin on the outside. Pile on the toppings or keep it simple with butter and some salt and pepper. 6 Photo Credit:savoryspin.com Be sure to add these Crispy Spicy Air Fryer Okra as a side to your next family meal. They're coated with a spiced egg wash and panko breading. 7 Have you tried Air Fryer Radishes yet? You can get soft and tender roasted radishes, seasoned with garlic and oregano, in just 15 minutes. 8 Photo Credit:thebellyrulesthemind.net Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries let you enjoy a more wholesome version of classic french fries. They have the perfect texture and make a tasty side dish your whole family will love. 9 Photo Credit:cookathomemom.com This Air Fryer Zucchini and onions recipe is made in a snap with Italian seasoning, less oil and no breading. 10 You just need a few simple ingredients to make these Air Fryer Baby Potatoes. They're easy to prep and roast up crispy and tender in the air fryer. 11 Photo Credit:www.megseverydayindulgence.com Air Fryer Broccoli Cheese Bites are a delicious and fun way to enjoy your veggies. The perfect side dish to any dinner. 12 Photo Credit:thishealthykitchen.com This simple Air Fryer Eggplant is made without oil or breading, and it makes a tasty alternative to roasted potatoes. 13 Use your air fryer to make crispy and crunchy homemade tortilla chips. You just need a few seasonings and there are 5 different flavour options included in the recipe. 14 Photo Credit:watchlearneat.com You need just two ingredients to make these Air Fryer Asparagus. They cook in less than 10 minutes and make a great side dish for any occasion. 15 Air Fryer Pumpkin Fries are sweet and salty, and a delicious way to enjoy roasted pumpkin. The recipe requires just a few ingredients, and also includes two different air frying methods. 16 Photo Credit:avirtualvegan.com Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes are made with heaps of lemon and garlic. They turn out crispy, fluffy, tangy, and are low effort too. 17 Photo Credit:nourishplate.com Air Fryer Broccoli cooks in just 15 minutes in the air fryer, and it's a quick and easy way to add vegetables to your meals. 18 You need just 15 minutes from start to finish for these Air Fryer Green Beans. They roast up quick and delicious with a little oil, garlic and dried herbs. 19 Photo Credit:carmyy.com Want to know how to make crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower? This recipe will show you how, and you'll also learn how to cut and core cauliflower. 20 Photo Credit:recipesfromapantry.com Air Fryer Tater Tots are a healthier version of a fast food favourite. They have a crispy outside with a pillowy soft middle. 21 You just need some oil, salt and pepper to make these easy Air Fryer Roasted Beets! The recipe uses a mix of red, golden and candy cane beets.21 Air Fryer Side Dishes (To Make Weeknight Dinners Easier)
Air Fryer Carrots (Three Ways)
Air Fryer Butternut Squash (Home Fries)
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Air Fryer Mushrooms
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Crispy Spicy Air Fryer Okra
Air Fryer Radishes
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Air Fryer Zucchini
Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
Air Fryer Broccoli Cheese Bites
Healthy Air Fryer Eggplant
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Air Fryer Asparagus
Air Fryer Pumpkin Fries
Lemon Garlic Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
Air Fryer Broccoli
Air Fryer Green Beans
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Crispy Air Fryer Tater Tots
Air Fryer Roasted Beets
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