Warning: these sides might steal the spotlight. They’re bold, creative, and packed with flavor. You might forget about the main dish entirely once these hit the table, because they’re that good.

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

A closeup shot of roasted cherry tomatoes on the vine on a wooden cutting board surrounded by basil and garlic.
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

These cherry tomatoes are simply roasted with garlic and olive oil and served on the vine!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

Golden roasted air fryer baby potatoes on a serving plate with a wooden and metal spoon.
Air Fryer Baby Potatoes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Air fryer baby potatoes are roasted until crispy perfection on the outside with a creamy and buttery tender middle.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

Gluten-Free Sweet potato casserole

Sweet potato casserole with pecan topping in a glass baking dish with a spoon in the dish.
Gluten-Free Sweet potato casserole. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Creamy mashed sweet potatoes in a cinnamon maple flavor topped with a candied pecan crumble. This gluten-free sweet potato casserole is a scrumptious addition to any dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Sweet potato casserole

Air Fryer Red Potatoes

Air fried red potatoes in an air fryer basket.
Air Fryer Red Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air fryer red potatoes are almost effortless to make, healthy, delicious, and the perfect side dish for your next meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Red Potatoes

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Small baking dish with scalloped potatoes.
Easy Scalloped Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This recipe for easy scalloped potatoes is perfect for a cozy dinner for two. It’s a simple and delicious side dish that is always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Utica Greens

A cast iron skillet filled with a baked vegetable casserole topped with golden toasted breadcrumbs, making it perfect for side dishes or as a hearty main course, with a serving spoon placed inside.
Utica Greens. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Hailing from upstate New York, Utica greens are a mouthwatering side dish starring escarole, prosciutto, pickled hot cherry peppers and finished with a cheesy breadcrumb topping. This side dish pairs wonderfully with everything from pizza to pasta and meat.
Get the Recipe: Utica Greens

Roasted Purple Sweet Potatoes

Smashed roasted purple sweet potatoes on parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Roasted Purple Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This purple sweet potato recipe uses Stokes sweet potatoes that are smashed, drizzled with melted butter and herbs then roasted until super crispy. The perfect potato side dish with a stunning appearance!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Purple Sweet Potatoes

Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Plate of butternut squash in front of an air fryer with a blue napkin in the background.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air fryer butternut squash is a savory & healthy side dish! Cubes of squash are tossed with spices & roasted in the air fryer. Ready in 20 min.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Candied Maple Brussels-gf/v

A glass bowl filled with roasted Brussels sprouts and nuts sits on a wooden table, making an inviting side dish for any meal, with a baking tray of more roasted vegetables in the background to inspire your recipes.
Candied Maple Brussels-gf/v. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Candied Brussels sprouts need only 5 ingredients! These maple roasted Brussels are made without bacon, crispy and an easy win with kids.
Get the Recipe: Candied Maple Brussels-gf/v

Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli

Frozen broccoli florets roasted on an air fryer tray.
Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Keeping frozen broccoli on hand is a great option for an easy side dish but no one enjoys eating it as mush! This air fryer frozen broccoli recipe results in crispy seasoned broccoli florets everyone will love! It’s easy, quick and will instantly become a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli

Aloo Gobi Masala

Aloo gobi masala in skillet with naan bread.
Aloo Gobi Masala. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Try a tasty twist on a classic Indian dish. This aloo gobi masala side dish recipe is a delicious combination of potatoes, cauliflower and spices cooked in a flavorful curry-style sauce.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala

Oven Baked Riced Cauliflower

Baked Riced Cauliflower in a bowl with a spoon.
Oven Baked Riced Cauliflower. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

Our Oven Baked Riced Cauliflower Recipe is a delicious low carb side dish that transforms ordinary cauliflower into a savory delight. This roasted cauliflower rice creates a nutty and caramelized flavor that complements any main course. It’s a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional rice and makes for an excellent accompaniment to your favorite dishes.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Riced Cauliflower

Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant

Crispy cubed eggplant roasted in the air fryer on a plate with a serving spoon.
Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This simply seasoned air fryer eggplant comes out crispy and delicious. It’s an easy side dish everyone will absolutely love and goes with almost any main course.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant

Brussels Sprouts and Asparagus

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Asparagus on a Baking Tray.
Brussels Sprouts and Asparagus. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This simple Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Asparagus recipe is a healthy, delicious side dish that’s full of lightly sweet, deeply browned flavor, with crispy and tender textures. Finished with a rich drizzle of olive oil, these savory roasted veggies are a perfect pairing for just about everything!
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts and Asparagus

Air Fryer Okra Fries

A plate of crispy baked okra fries garnished with herbs, served with a side of dipping sauce—perfect as innovative side dishes or creative recipes to complement any main course.
Air Fryer Okra Fries. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Air fryer okra is the BEST way to enjoy this often overlooked vegetable. The air fryer turns what many refer to as a “slimy” texture into crispy, crunchy okra fries. Seasoned simply but irresistibly, this recipe will have you falling in love with okra!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Okra Fries

Air Fryer Zucchini and Squash

Air fryer zucchini and squash on a blue plate.
Air Fryer Zucchini and Squash. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This air fryer zucchini and squash recipe is lightly seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil and cooked in the air fryer until it achieves a delicious browning. This side dish is an easy air fryer recipe perfect for summer! 
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini and Squash

Roasted maple root vegetables

Roasted carrots, beets and Brussels sprouts on a tinfoil lined pan topped with sesame seeds.
Roasted maple root vegetables. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Tossed in a maple ginger dressing and roasted to caramelized perfection, these paleo-roasted root vegetables are the perfect side dish!
Get the Recipe: Roasted maple root vegetables

Creamy Cauliflower Rice Cheese Mash

A bowl filled with cauliflower mash garnished with fresh parsley.
Creamy Cauliflower Rice Cheese Mash. Photo credit: Tiny Batch Cooking.

This cauliflower rice recipe is straightforward, simple yet delicious, and most importantly, the portions are enough to serve a person or two. Cheesy cauliflower rice is low-carb, which gives the same satisfaction and taste as classic cheesy meals. With only a few ingredients, you can already have the best side dish.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Cauliflower Rice Cheese Mash

Air Fryer Acorn Squash

Acorn squash after air frying with some of the insides scooped up on a fork.
Air Fryer Acorn Squash. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air fryer acorn squash is delicious & simple to prepare. Perfect fall side dish for anyone looking for simple, low effort dish. Ready in about 25 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Acorn Squash

Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Four twice baked potatoes in a small baking dish.
Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

A cheesy and loaded twice-baked potato recipe that’s perfect for any night of the week. Find out how to make this delicious side dish with just a few simple ingredients!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Green beans with pine nuts on a plate.
Green Beans with Garlic Butter. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Upgrade your veggie game with this easy garlic butter green bean recipe. Perfectly seasoned and full of flavor, it’s a side dish you won’t be able to resist.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes

Two crispy air fryer hasselback potatoes with chives, garlic and butter on a white plate.
Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Golden brown with crispy buttery edges, these hasselback potatoes made in the air fryer are the ultimate side dish. Seasoned simply with garlic, salt, pepper and fresh chives, they pair perfectly with almost any meal and couldn’t be easier to make!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. I’ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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