Air fryers are such a blessing and so underrated! They help you lower your calorie and fat intake, making them a useful appliance to have on hand when you're trying to follow a healthy diet. You can use them to make delicious meals in a snap, without the grease and oils that transform your healthy sides into a potential health risk.
So, if you haven't invested in an air fryer yet, it's time for you to jump on the bandwagon! Try these recipes for crisp, tasty air fryer side dishes to put a healthy, guilt-free spin on your favorite indulgent recipes!
With a perfect crunch on the outside and tender on the inside, these air fryer asparagus are a classic side that's absolutely delicious. To make, drizzle asparagus with olive oil and lemon juice, add seasonings to it and toss to coat thoroughly, then cook in an air fryer to enjoy tender and browned asparagus with wonderfully crispy tips.
Green beans and bacon are an elite combination that's practically bursting with tantalizing flavors. It combines tasty, crispy bacon with tender and crunchy green beans to create a side dish that is nothing short of perfection. You can also add some spice with cayenne pepper and make it cheesy by sprinkling parmesan/shredded cheese on top!
Baked potatoes go well with just about every main course. To make, wash and dry your potatoes, then rub them with oil and season with salt, and let your air fryer work its magic. It will yield baked potatoes that are crispy and incredibly fluffy and melt-in-your-mouth good on the inside. A taste of heaven right there!
In this recipe, you add olive oil and balsamic vinegar to cherry tomatoes and then toss them with Italian seasoning before air-frying them to perfection. While this juicy, flavorful veggie goes nicely with just about everything, it really shines when paired with a delicious burger or chicken sandwich. You can even serve it as an appetizer. How's that for versatility?
Brocolli doesn't have a huge fan following, but wait till you taste this cheesy broccoli recipe! To make, season the broccoli florets with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic, and add in some shredded cheese. Toss to combine thoroughly, then place in the air fryer to cook, and voila, you're done! Serve hot with some extra shredded cheese on top.
Taking the simple cauliflower to new flavorful heights, this recipe combines cauliflower florets with garlic powder, paprika, sea salt and pepper, and BBQ sauce. Once cooked in the air fryer, they become insanely crispy and scrumptious - an easy, tasty recipe that will be an instant crowd-pleaser!
This simple recipe gives butternut squash, a fall favorite, that much-desired deep-fried flavor without actually deep-frying it. All you need are three ingredients - butternut squash, ground cinnamon, and olive oil cooking spray - and you've got yourself a dish that's low in calories and fat while still being delicious and so healthy!
This recipe gives you two variations of wonderfully tender carrots with just a hint of crunch - sweet or savory. The sweet carrots are made with just butter, brown sugar, and salt while the savory ones are seasoned with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and grated parmesan along with some fresh chopped parsley. Both versions only take about 30 minutes to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights!
This easy Dominos's bread twist copycat recipe is going to be a hit with adults and kids alike. Just bake your braided bread in an air fryer until golden brown and then coat them with a mixture of butter, garlic powder, olive oil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese to make a delicacy stand out even more. Make sure you bake a large batch; these breadsticks will fly off the table!
These flaky pastry crescent rolls are golden brown and crunchy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside, and they come together really quickly. Simply roll the dough into crescent shapes, place them in the air fryer to bake, and you're done! These delicious treats might just have you ignoring the main course in their favor.
These air fryer egg rolls are super crispy and filled with delicious goodness. Ready in just 15 minutes and made with only a few ingredients, they're perfect for any meal of the day. You can also add meat to your egg rolls. Just make sure the meat is cooked before placing it in the wrapper.
These frozen air fryer dumplings are just as good as the ones you get from your favorite Chinese restaurant. They're crispy, savory, and positively divine when served with a fantastic dipping sauce like Thai sweet chili sauce. Don't be surprised if these mouthwateringly delicious treats disappear from your dinner table within minutes!
The appeal of garlic bread is unmatched. And this 15-minute easy and delicious air-fryer recipe makes it even more attractive. To make, slather baguette slices with a mixture of butter, garlic, parmesan cheese, basil, and parsley, then air fry them until soft in the middle and crunchy on the sides. Serve with your favorite pasta or soup, or with a marinara sauce for dipping.
This recipe is a healthy and delicious way to eat zucchini. Spray the zucchini slices with olive oil, coat them in seasonings, then cook in the air fryer to make this deliciously crispy, crunchy snack. It's super easy to put together; even a beginner will be able to make it to perfection on their first try!
Think salads are bland and boring? This Panzanella recipe will change your mind! All you have to do is season your baguette with olive oil, salt, and pepper and toast t in the air fryer. Once crisp, cut it into one-inch pieces and toss the bread in a bowl with tomatoes, olives, red onions, and cucumbers. Drizzle it with a light vinaigrette dressing to create layers of texture and flavor!
These crunchy air-fryer kale chips are as healthy as they're delicious, and they're super easy to make. Simply brush the leaves with oil, season them with salt and pepper, and then cook them in an air fryer basket. You can also add other seasonings for a flavor boost and store leftovers at room temperature for up to a week.
Air-fried okra has the same flavor and texture as deep-fried okra but it's lower in calories, making it a much healthier option. To make this delicious side dish, season okra "fries" generously with arrowroot powder, salt, and spices, then cook them in an air fryer till crispy and golden brown on the edges. Garnish with fresh parsley, then serve with your favorite dipping sauce to enjoy.
Air fryer turns the traditional fried plantains into a healthier side dish or snack option that everyone can enjoy. They're made with minimal ingredients and take only 20 minutes to prepare, making them an excellent option for busy weeknights. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice on top for a fresh flavor or serve with a topping of cinnamon or sugar to transform them into a dessert.
Potato chips are a delicious side dish, and because this recipe is prepared in an air fryer, you can eat as many as you want guilt-free! Simply place potato slices in the air fryer, brush them with olive oil, season with salt, and cook until golden brown and crispy. You can also experiment with various herbs and spices to cook them to your taste preferences.
Potato wedges look chunky, yes, but that doesn't mean they can't be cooked in the same way as their skinny cousins, french fries. This recipe will yield perfectly seasoned potato wedges that are golden brown, crispy, and fluffy in all the right places. You can serve them with your favorite dip or with steak or burgers to make a delicious meal.
These pumpkin fries are a moment. They're healthier than potato fries but offer the same crispy, crunchy deliciousness that makes traditional fries so popular with kids and adults. Serve these sweet and salty delights with a healthy cranberry sauce to enjoy a flavor burst in every bite.
These Brussels sprouts are perfectly brown, tender, and crispy, with a slight zestiness from the balsamic vinegar used in the cooking process. Remember to shake or flip the sprouts while cooking to ensure they're cooked through, then serve with more salt and pepper (if desired) for a wonderfully tasty side that'll get the taste buds going.
These mushrooms, stuffed with a cheesy bacon cheddar filling, are simply divine! They come together in a little over 30 minutes and you can store leftovers (if any) in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just remember, mushrooms absorb water and become mushy during cooking, so make sure they're clean and dry before you start.
These crispy and crunchy sweet potato fries are seasoned with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to make them flavorsome, then air-fried until they're crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. To serve, garnish with cilantro/parsley and freshly grated parmesan. Did we mention they only take about 15 minutes to make? Talk about a quick and tasty side dish!
Air-fried potatoes are great on their own, but when coupled with delicious herb butter, they're something straight out of culinary paradise. The golden-brown baby potatoes in this recipe pack a powerful flavor punch, which is elevated with the addition of parmesan cheese. Safe to say, they're sure to impress your guests.
No one can get enough of latkes! And this recipe is proof of that. Make them with a potato latke mixture made of grated russet potatoes and onions, eggs, panko crumbs, and seasonings, then slide them into the air fryer to bake into crispy, golden-brown perfection. Serve with sour cream, chives, applesauce, or any other dips or sauces of your choice.
These crunchy, perfectly-seasoned potato tots come together in 15-20 minutes! To make this easy sweet potato recipe, add frozen sweet potato tots to the air fryer and cook until they're steaming on the inside and slightly crisp on the outside. Serve with honey mustard dressing and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for a boost of flavor.
This hash browns recipe will quickly become your go-to side dish! They come together quickly, have the most wonderful crunch and texture while being tender, and can be topped with a sprinkling of cheese to elevate their appeal. You can also serve them with a fluffy omelet or with pancakes or French toast to enjoy a quick, flavorsome breakfast.
Thick, flaky, and undeniably delectable, these homemade air fryer biscuits give Southern buttermilk biscuits a healthy makeover. Serve them with sausage gravy or with some air-fried chicken to enjoy a delicious meal. You can also prepare a larger batch and freeze half of it to save time when making air fryer biscuits for lunch the next time!