20 Must-Try Air Fryer Side Dish Recipes

Air fryers aren’t just for meat and desserts, they’re perfect for making crispy, flavorful vegetables and sides. This collection features zucchini, potatoes, carrots, squash, cauliflower, pretzels, and more, all cooked quickly and easily for maximum flavor and minimal fuss. Perfect for weeknight dinners, snacks, or meal prep, these air fryer vegetable recipes turn ordinary ingredients into deliciously crispy, golden sides. From sweet and savory options to creative twists like aioli dips and parmesan toppings, there’s a recipe here for every craving.

Air Fryer Peppers and Onions

A bowl filled with cooked red and yellow bell pepper strips and sliced red onions, seasoned with herbs. — Air Fryer Peppers and Onions. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

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Bell peppers and onions are tossed in oil and seasonings before air frying. Vegetables soften while edges develop slight char. Quick side dish for any meal. Each bite is tender, sweet, and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Peppers and Onions

Air Fryer Eggplant Fries

A pile of breaded and fried eggplant sticks is arranged on parchment paper, showing a crispy, golden-brown coating with some purple eggplant skin visible. — Air Fryer Eggplant Fries. Photo credit: A Cedar Spoon.

Eggplant slices are coated lightly and air fried until golden. Crispy exterior contrasts with creamy interior. Perfect as a snack or appetizer. Each bite is crunchy, tender, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Eggplant Fries

Air Fryer Pizza Rolls

Close-up of pizza rolls topped with grated cheese and fresh basil, showing golden, baked dough with visible tomato sauce and melted cheese. — Air Fryer Pizza Rolls. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Pizza rolls cook evenly in the air fryer until golden and crisp. Cheese melts and fillings heat through perfectly. Quick, fun snack for parties or kids. Each bite is cheesy, savory, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pizza Rolls

Air Fryer Crispy Smashed Potatoes

A plate of roasted smashed potatoes garnished with red chili slices and fresh dill. — Air Fryer Crispy Smashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Boiled potatoes are smashed, seasoned, and air fried until golden. Exterior crisps while interior stays fluffy. Quick and flavorful side dish. Each bite is crunchy, tender, and savory.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Air Fryer Twice Baked Breakfast Potatoes

Baked potato skins filled with melted cheese, herbs, and diced vegetables, arranged on a wooden board with drinks in the background. — Air Fryer Twice Baked Breakfast Potatoes. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella.

Potatoes are baked, scooped, and filled with eggs or cheese before air frying. Crispy tops contrast with soft, flavorful filling. Perfect for breakfast or brunch. Each bite is hearty, cheesy, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Twice Baked Breakfast Potatoes

Air Fryer Zucchini

A white bowl filled with sliced, roasted zucchini sits on a wooden surface, with a whole zucchini in the background. — Air Fryer Zucchini. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Zucchini slices cook quickly in the air fryer. Edges crisp while interior stays tender. Simple seasoning highlights natural flavor. Each bite is lightly crisped, tender, and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini

Air Fryer Pickles

A blue plate with breaded fried green tomato slices arranged around a bowl of white dipping sauce, next to a whole tomato, on a colorful patterned cloth. — Air Fryer Pickles. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Pickles are coated lightly and air fried until golden. Exterior becomes crunchy while interior remains juicy. Quick snack or appetizer. Each bite is tangy, crisp, and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pickles

Air Fryer Frozen Butternut Squash: Quick And Easy

A plate of roasted diced yellow and orange root vegetables, garnished with a few green herbs and sprinkled with sesame seeds. — Air Fryer Frozen Butternut Squash: Quick And Easy. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Frozen butternut squash cooks evenly in the air fryer. Edges crisp lightly while interior stays tender. Fast and easy side dish. Each bite is naturally sweet, tender, and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Butternut Squash: Quick And Easy

Parmesan Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash

Two halves of cooked spaghetti squash topped with shredded cheese and chopped herbs on a white plate, with a fork and parsley garnish nearby. — Parmesan Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Spaghetti squash is cooked and coated with Parmesan before air frying. Exterior crisps slightly while strands stay tender. Quick side with cheesy flavor. Each bite is savory, tender, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Casserole Stacks

Eight stuffed and breaded mushrooms topped with herbs are arranged on a rectangular white plate, set on a wooden board with basil leaves as garnish. — Air Fryer Sweet Potato Casserole Stacks. Photo credit: xoxo Bella.

Sweet potatoes are layered with toppings and cooked in the air fryer. Crispy edges contrast with soft interior. Quick alternative to oven baking. Each bite is sweet, tender, and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Casserole Stacks

Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans

Frozen green beans cook quickly and evenly in the air fryer. Slightly crisp edges develop while interior stays tender. Fast and easy side dish. Each bite is lightly crisp, tender, and savory.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans

Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are tossed with oil and spices before air frying. Seeds become crunchy and flavorful. Perfect snack or topping for salads. Each bite is crunchy, nutty, and savory.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds

Air Fryer German Potato Pancakes

Shredded potatoes are formed into patties and air fried until crisp. Exterior crisps while interior stays soft. Quick and flavorful side dish. Each bite is crunchy, tender, and savory.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer German Potato Pancakes

Air Fryer Carrot Fries with Aioli Dip

Carrot sticks are seasoned and air fried until golden. Edges crisp while interior remains tender. Serve with aioli for dipping. Each bite is crunchy, sweet, and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Carrot Fries with Aioli Dip

Easy Air Fryer Rice Paper Dumplings

Rice paper dumplings are filled with vegetables and air fried until crisp. Exterior crisps while filling stays tender and juicy. Quick and fun appetizer. Each bite is crunchy, savory, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Rice Paper Dumplings

Air Fryer Crispy Parsnip Fries

Parsnip sticks are coated lightly and air fried until crisp. Exterior develops golden edges while interior stays soft. Quick snack or side dish. Each bite is crunchy, sweet, and savory.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Crispy Parsnip Fries

Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower

Cauliflower florets are seasoned and air fried until golden. Exterior crisps while interior remains tender. Perfect side or snack with dips. Each bite is crispy, tender, and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower

Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes cook quickly in the air fryer, either as wedges or cubes. Exterior crisps slightly while interior stays soft. Simple seasoning enhances natural sweetness. Each bite is tender, flavorful, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Air Fryer Soft Pretzel Bites

Pretzel dough bites are air fried until golden brown. Exterior crisps lightly while interior remains soft and fluffy. Great snack or appetizer for dipping. Each bite is chewy, savory, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Soft Pretzel Bites

Parmesan Herb Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potato slices are coated with Parmesan and herbs before air frying. Crispy edges develop while interior stays tender. Quick and flavorful side dish. Each bite is cheesy, tender, and savory.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Herb Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes