Easy Side Dishes You Can Make with an Air Fryer

In this article, we share our magic formula for simple yet delectable air-fried sides. To create a spectacular accompaniment, all you really need is your favorite fruit or vegetable, plus some fresh herbs or spices, plus the right oil or vinaigrette. That’s it!

After you try the ideas in this article, you’ll be ready to create your own simple sides!

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

If you’ve sworn off brussels sprouts, this side dish will tempt you back, we promise. The trick to get the bitterness out of brussels sprouts is to slice them in half and soak them in salted water for 5 minutes. Drain, pat dry, and spritz with extra-virgin olive oil. Then place them in the air fryer basket and top with chopped bacon pieces (about two strips chopped up). Cook for 10 to 12 minutes at 360 degrees. Then toss with a balsamic vinaigrette and serve hot.

Roasted Green Bean Salad

Green beans are an easy vegetable to find year-round. We love them, but we’re the first to admit: They can get boring. This pairing is sure to shake things up! Just clean and cut green beans into 2-inch pieces. Toss with extra-virgin olive oil and put them in the air fryer for 6 to 8 minutes at 390 degrees. Then place the green beans in a serving bowl and add sliced cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, and fresh parsley. Dress the salad with a squeeze or two of fresh lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, sea salt, cracked black pepper, and garlic powder. Served hot or cold, this dish is a family favorite.

Summer Succotash

When the summer sun is high and the farmers markets are packed with fresh produce, it’s time to try this delicious side! Simply slice fresh zucchini, summer squash, sweet onions, and red bell peppers in bite-size pieces. Toss the veggies with extra-virgin olive oil, sea salt, and fresh thyme. Then cook in the air fryer for 20 minutes at 380 degrees. Serve hot out of the air fryer with a splash of red wine vinaigrette and grated parmesan cheese.

Other favorite summertime veggies to add to this would be mushrooms, kohlrabi, leeks, fennel, and grape tomatoes.

Tomatoes with Fresh Burrata

Pick up a bag of seasonal tomatoes or grab a can of whole tomatoes. Either way, this preparation will wow your guests!

Roasting tomatoes give them a charred flavor and deepens their umami (meaty) flavor. Toss raw tomatoes with extra-virgin olive oil and sea salt. Then roast them in the air fryer or 25 minutes at 320 degrees, and another 5 minutes at 390 degrees. When they come out of the air fryer, toss them in a balsamic glaze. Serve the tomatoes over fresh burrata or fresh mozzarella cheese and top with chopped basil.

With the convenience of canned tomatoes, this dish can be served in winter, too! Canned, whole tomatoes need to be drained, and sliced lengthwise. Toss with extra-virgin olive oil and sea salt. Then place them on parchment paper before putting them into the air fryer. (Canned tomatoes have more liquid and you don’t want the liquid to scorch on the bottom of the air fryer, so parchment paper helps!)

Research shows that tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, which is heart and prostate protective. Must be why tomatoes are at the heart of Mediterranean cuisine!

Savory Mushrooms

Umami-mia! Mushrooms hit our umami taste buds right in the heart! You can bread them, stuff them, or simply toss them before air frying and create a spectacular side or star appetizer. Talk about a versatile vegetable. Here are our favorite simple sides:

• Steakhouse: Toss whole mushrooms with extra-virgin olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, and steak seasoning. Finish off with a drizzle of butter and chopped parsley.
• Asian Flare: Toss whole mushrooms with sesame oil, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes. Finish off with a sprinkling of chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
• Italian: Marinate mushrooms in balsamic vinegar for ten minutes. Then drain and toss with extra-virgin olive oil. Finish with sea salt, fresh basil, and grated pecorino Romano cheese.

Whichever variety you choose, just pop them in the air fryer for 10 to 12 minutes at 380 degrees.

Crazy for Carrots

Carrots are perfect for the air fryer. You can make them into a chip, cut them into fries, or pair them with a variety of spices and herbs. Consider these fun combinations if you find yourself with an extra bag (or cans) of carrots:

• Parmesan Roasted: Slice the carrots, and toss them with extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and grated parmesan cheese before placing in the air fryer.
• Slightly Sweet: Slice the carrots, and toss them with extra-virgin olive oil, honey, and salt. Then place in the air fryer. Toss with chopped pecans and parsley before serving.
• Thyme: Slice the carrots, and toss them with extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and dried thyme before placing in the air fryer.

Whichever variety you choose, put them in the air fryer for 15 to 20 minutes at 380 degrees.

Cheesy Zucchini

One of our favorite summertime veggies is crisp zucchini. Zucchini rounds spritzed with extra-virgin olive oil and topped with your favorite shredded cheese and maybe a sprinkling of herbs is a simple side. Our favorite combos are parmesan and rosemary; gouda and chives; Monterey jack and cumin; and mozzarella and basil. Cook for 12 minutes at 370 degrees.

If you happen to have a spiralizer or can pick up pre-spiralized zucchini. Toss them with extra-virgin olive oil and cook for 10 minutes at 330 degrees. Then toss with red wine vinegar, grated parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley. Easy as 1-2-3!

Roasted Sweet Potatoes Three Ways

Roasted sweet potatoes can be served sweet, savory, and spicy. Cube a sweet potato, spritz with cooking oil, and then decide which option you prefer:

• Sweet: Toss with brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and coconut oil. Then place in the air fryer.
• Savory: Toss with chopped rosemary, extra-virgin olive oil, cracked pepper, and salt. Then place in the air fryer.
• Spicy: Mix with chopped jalapeño and a sprinkle of chipotle seasoning; then place in the air fryer. Then toss the cooked potatoes with chopped cilantro, lime, and avocado oil.

Whichever variety you prefer, cook in the air fryer for 10 to 12 minutes at 380 degrees.

Peaches and Pineapple and Pears! Oh, My!

You may not consider something sweet to be a suitable side dish, but the new school of thought is to serve your sweet with the meal. That’s right, no need to wait until the end of the meal for something sweet.

Peaches, pineapple, and pears taste incredible when they get hit with a little heat. Check out these options:

• Just Peachy: Pop a peach into the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes at 330 degrees. Top with cottage cheese and a drizzle of honey! This dish is great for breakfast, too!
• Tropical: Grab a can of sliced pineapple and heat the rings for 5 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve with a sprinkling of toasted coconut flakes and chopped macadamia nuts.
• Fall Favorite: Slice pears in spears and air fry 3 minutes at 360 degrees. Toss the heated pears with chopped pecans, crumbled goat cheese, and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette for a simple side salad.