23 Great Air Fryer Side Dishes

Hi, y’all! I’m back today with a bunch of great side dishes – and best of all, they’re made in an air fryer – quick, easy, no mess, awesome flavor, and so many options.

After discovering these fab recipes, I’m not standing over the stove fussing, stirring, and flipping.

I just pop things in, press a button, and I have crispy, golden perfection!

These 23 great air fryer side dishes are some of my favorites.

From crunchy potatoes to tasty veggies, golden corn, succulent chicken thighs, and even Yorkshire pudding, you’ll find a side to add a pop of professional cuisine to your main dish.

So grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let’s talk about some good ol’ home-cooked magic!

1. Air Fryer Roast Veggies

Let’s start with veggies! My grandchildren don’t like veggies, but I must admit – they do eat these air fryer roasted veggies, which makes their parents (and me) very happy!

Veggies cook in an air fryer in half the time it takes to roast them in an oven!

They’re perfectly tender, with crisp, caramelized edges. Bonus: garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice add tons of great flavor.

2. Crispy Air Fryer Potato Salad

Air fryer potato salad is a great accompaniment for any dish from meat to fish, and chicken.

I love making this side for a family weekend BBQ – guests always want seconds.

The potatoes are finished with a tangy sour cream, chive and mayonnaise dressing for a rich, creamy texture.

3. Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Don’t think that a side of cauliflower is bland and boring!

With this recipe, you’ll serve up tender-crisp and nicely browned cauliflower topped with a sauce that brings a bit of heat, and a creamy savory finish from the blue cheese.

It also makes a great side for vegans and those who don’t want to include eggs in their diets.

4. Air Fryer Asparagus

Imagine – juicy asparagus enhanced by a crunch that comes from tossing the spears in paprika, onion powder, and breadcrumbs. And, a coating of loads of melted butter!

They take only 20 minutes to prepare and cook and they’re perfect for adding a classy touch to a dinner party.

5. Air Fryer Broccoli With Chili and Garlic

Want a touch of heat? Here’s a great and simple way to serve broccoli.

This chili-spiked side dish is just as delicious warm or served cold. The delicious topping is made from balsamic, honey garlic and chili.

If the kids don’t enjoy the heat, leave out the chili!

6. Air Fryer Vegetables

Sam and Dan from Ahead of Thyme have loads of great, easy-to-make recipes.

These air fryer veggies are healthy, flavorful, and delicious. Simply prep and chop your veggies, season them, pop them into the air fryer, and let it do its thing.

You can customize the dish with any seasonal veggies you have on hand, and it makes a great go-to dish on busy weeknights when you want to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible.

7. Air Fryer Chips

Who can resist a plate of hot chips? It can be a side, a snack, or a whole meal!

This easy recipe uses floury potatoes, such as Maris Piper or Rooster, as the edges go a little more crispy. You can peel the potatoes first, or leave them skin-on for a more rustic feel.

Spice with paprika, salt, pepper or ramp it up with Cajun spice, garlic salt, or curry powder. Serve with a dip of your choice – my grandkids LUV Smoky BBQ Ranch.

8. Air Fryer Zucchini

Cook up a stylish side of zucchini with olive oil, dried thyme, lemon, and red pepper flakes.

It’s perfect for a dinner party when you want to offer guests a delicious summer vegetable, cooked in just 10 minutes.

The air fryer ensures that the veggies are tender inside and have a golden brown, crispy texture on the outside. Yummy!

9. Air Fryer Shishito Peppers

Air fryer shishito peppers with blistered skins is a tasty and easy appetizer or snack, for a sweet, spicy, and smoky bite.

This is a fun dish – did you know that eating them is like playing a guessing game because 1 out of every 20 peppers is hot?

I wouldn’t make this for kids, but it’s a great party dish for those who like a hint of adventure.

10. Air Fryer Yorkshire Pudding

Yorkshire Pudding is a British classic, baked in the oven until golden brown and served with a roast on cold days!

Follow this recipe to learn how to make Yorkshire pudding in an air fryer. The trick is to avoid the dreaded soggy bottom and get a golden crispy top.

Give it a try!

11. Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash

This simple air-fryer spaghetti squash takes on a nice roasted flavor from the air fryer. You can enjoy it plain or dress it up with your favorite sauce or grated cheese.
I’ve paired this side with grilled chicken with pesto and garlic butter shrimp, and it’s delish with either!
It takes only 5 minutes to prepare and 25 in total until cooked and ready to serve.

12. Air Fryer Egg Rolls

These egg rolls from The Pioneer Woman are so yummy, you won’t want to order Chinese again.

They’re a lightened-up version of a typical egg roll recipe since they’re brushed with a light coating of oil before they get crisped to perfection while cooking.

13. Air Fryer Popcorn

In my house popcorn is a staple! We have to have it to snack on at any time of the day or night!

Here’s a fun and simple recipe to make popcorn in an air fryer. It’s suitable for vegan and gluten-free diets.

All you need – unpopped popcorn kernels from your local grocery store and olive oil.

14. Air Fryer Crispy Corn

For this tasty side dish or snack, you can use fresh or frozen corn.

It’s seasoned with garlic powder, cayenne or paprika, salt, pepper, lemon juice and salt along with olive oil. Cornstarch is used for the crispy coating. Optional garnish is finely chopped onion and cilantro leaves.

Serve this flavorful crispy corn side with BBQ pulled pork or spicy black bean burgers.

15. Air Fryer Cheesy Corn ‘Ribs’

When it’s too cold outside to make a BBQ and grill corn, you can delight the family with these air fryer cheesy corn ‘ribs’.

These corn ‘ribs’ are created by quartering the corn lengthways and smothering them in Mexican seasoning and parmesan. They can be served with tangy lime sauce as a side, can stand alone as an entrée, and are perfect for snacking on while watching TV.

16. Air Fryer French Toast

I LUV making French toast for my grandkids when they visit for Sunday breakfast.

This French toast is crisp on the outside and moist in the middle – the perfect combination!

It’s so easy to make using thick slices of bread, eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Follow the steps in the recipe from Arman Liew, The Big Man’s World.

17. Air Fryer Potato Skins

If you hate wasting (like I do), this recipe for potato skins not only tastes great but also gives you that feel-good vibe of using-every-last-scrap!

Emmeline from Always Use Butter makes air fryer potato skins in just 10 minutes.

They’re seasoned with garlic and Worcestershire sauce, smothered with sharp, gooey cheese, and topped with cooling sour cream. Yum!

18. Air Fryer Roasted Eggplant With Sesame Seeds

So, I know that eggplant is not everyone’s fave veggie, but this recipe really turns them into a delicious side.

Imagine – eggplant roasted until the center is melted, then brushed with an umami-packed miso sauce, and topped with sesame seeds.

It’s a rich, caramelized side dish that will likely be the star of the meal.

19. Air Fryer Mushrooms

When you’ve run out of ideas to make for dinner, grab a can of mushrooms out of the pantry and try this great recipe.

You need canned mushrooms, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and that’s it! These air fryer mushrooms come out of the air fryer warm, slightly browned, and seasoned to perfection.

20. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips

While potato chips are a must-have, I’m lovin’ the sweet taste of sweet potato chips. And, this air fryer recipe makes them so easy to make!

For those watching their weight – these homemade sweet potato chips also use much less oil, which cuts down on calories and fat.

They’re a naturally sweet side for sandwiches, burgers, wraps and more. Looking at this picture, I can’t resist – I’m off to make a batch NOW.

21. Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Perfect for a Fall dinner, this air fryer butternut squash dish brings a sweet, earthy flavor that pairs well with roasted beef or roasted chicken.

It’s very simple to make – drizzle with oil, season with garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper and stir to coat it all as evenly as possible. Cook at 400 degrees for 12 minutes.

22. Air Fryer Greek Potatoes

While I would love to escape to a Greek Island – it’s only a dream.

But making these delectable Greek Potatoes works just as well.

They’re crispy on the outside, fluffy inside, lemony, and delicious. My family loves a Greek souvlaki dinner and these golden potatoes are the perfect side.

23. Air Fryer Corn Bread

Last up – cornbread! A beloved staple in American cuisine, with its rich history rooted in Native American traditions and its lasting influence in Southern and comfort food cooking.

Laura Lynch from Air Fry Anytime has a fabulous recipe for Air Fryer Corn Bread.

It has a crispy exterior and a moist interior, perfect as a side for roasted chicken, pork chops, or crispy Tilapia. It’s also delicious on its own with lashings of butter for a melt-in-the-mouth experience.