Make Savory Sides with Your Air Fryer

This article helps you explore the possibilities of the air fryer! From air frying your Street Corn to making the perfect batch of Cajun Curly Fries, you’ll soon find out you won’t be sacrificing any flavor by taking away the deep-fried fat.

Plus, the air fryer is the perfect way to roast your favorite vegetables. Our Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Fried Okra, and Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus are just a few that have easily become family favorites in just a short time. Use this article as a guide, and let your creativity flow to allow your own favorite vegetables to become the star of your side dishes with the air fryer.

Street Corn

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter

4 ears corn

1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt

2 tablespoon parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro

Directions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
2. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Lightly brush the outside of the ears of corn with the melted butter.
3. Place the corn into the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes, flip the corn, and cook another 5 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix the yogurt, cheese, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
5. Carefully remove the corn from the air fryer and let cool 3 minutes. Brush the outside edges with the yogurt mixture and top with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve immediately.

You can reheat the corn in the air fryer without sauce for 1 to 2 minutes at 370 degrees.

You can use another variety of cheese if parmesan isn’t your favorite or you have something else on hand.

Sweet Potato Curly Fries

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

2 medium sweet potatoes, washed

2 tablespoon avocado oil

3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

1 medium avocado

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 juice lime

3 tablespoons fresh cilantro

Directions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
2. Using a spiralizer, create curly spirals with the sweet potatoes. Keep the pieces about 1-1/2 inches long. Continue until all the potatoes are used.
3. In a large bowl, toss the curly sweet potatoes with the avocado oil and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt.
4. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes; shake and cook another 5 minutes.
5. While cooking, add the avocado, garlic, paprika, pepper, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt, lime juice, and cilantro to a blender and process until smooth. Set aside.
6. When cooking completes, remove the fries and serve warm with the lime avocado sauce.

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in batches for an even crisp.

Tight on time? You can buy prepared spiralized sweet potato zoodles in the produce section of your market. Cut into 1-1/2 inch pieces.

Prefer a spicy or sweet fry? Toss fries with 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning for a kick or mix 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon with 1 teaspoon cane sugar for something sweeter.

Asiago Broccoli

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 14 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 head broccoli, cut into florets

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup asiago cheese

Directions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl, toss the broccoli florets with the olive oil, garlic, pepper, and salt. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray.
3. Place the broccoli florets into the basket and cook for 7 minutes. Shake the basket and sprinkle the broccoli with cheese. Cook another 7 minutes.
4. Remove from the basket and serve warm.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons honey

1 pound Brussels sprouts, halved lengthwise

2 slices bacon, chopped

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees.
2. In a small saucepan, heat the vinegar and honey for 8 to 10 minutes over medium-low heat, or until the balsamic vinegar reduces by half to create a thick balsamic glazing sauce.
3. While the balsamic glaze is reducing, in a large bowl, toss together the Brussels sprouts, bacon, garlic powder, salt, and olive oil. Pour the mixture into the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes; check for doneness. Cook another 2 to 5 minutes or until slightly crispy and tender.
4. Pour the balsamic glaze into a serving bowl and add the cooked Brussels sprouts to the dish, stirring to coat. Top with grated parmesan cheese and serve.

Fried Okra

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 8 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 pound okra

1 large egg

1 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon salt, divided

1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon thyme

1/2 cup cornmeal

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Directions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
2. Cut the okra into 1/2-inch rounds.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Place the okra into the egg mixture and toss until well coated.
4. In a separate bowl, mix together the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, the paprika, the thyme, the cornmeal, and the flour. Working in small batches, dredge the egg-coated okra in the cornmeal mixture until all the okra has been breaded.
5. Place a single layer of okra in the air fryer basket and spray with cooking spray. Cook for 4 minutes, toss to check for crispness, and cook another 4 minutes. Repeat in batches, as needed.

If you’re using frozen okra, defrost and pat dry prior to using.

Serve with ranch dip.

Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time:10 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 pound asparagus, ends trimmed

8 slices bacon

Directions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees.
2. In large bowl, mix together the olive oil, sea salt, and parmesan cheese. Toss the asparagus in the olive oil mixture.
3. Evenly divide the asparagus into 8 bundles. Wrap 1 piece of bacon around each bundle, not overlapping the bacon but spreading it across the bundle.
4. Place the asparagus bundles into the air fryer basket, not touching. Work in batches as needed.
5. Cook for 8 minutes; check for doneness, and cook another 2 minutes.

Note: If you’re working with thin, baby asparagus, check after 6 minutes.

Parmesan Garlic Fries

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

2 medium Yukon gold potatoes, washed

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

2 tablespoons finely grated parmesan cheese

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley

Directions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
2. Slice the potatoes into long strips about 1/4-inch thick. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with the olive oil, garlic, cheese, pepper, and salt.
3. Place the fries into the air fryer basket and cook for 4 minutes; shake the basket and cook another 4 minutes.
4. Remove and serve warm.

Do not stack the fries! You may need to make them in two batches to evenly cook and get that crisp texture.

You can make these potatoes into wedges, too. Adjust the cooking time by 2 to 3 minutes depending on the thickness of your potatoes.

You can use truffle oil in place of olive oil or your spices if you prefer.