Goodbye, meh meals: 13 air fryer sides for the win!

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Alright, let’s be honest: We’ve all been there, staring down at a dinner plate that feels a tad uninspired. It’s not that the meal is bad, but sometimes it lacks that little “wow” factor. Enter the unsung hero of the kitchen: your air fryer.

Far from just a gadget for reheating pizza or making chicken wings, it’s a game-changer for side dishes. With the magic touch of crispy perfection, an air fryer has the potential to elevate even the humblest of veggies. In this article, we’ll delve into 13 of these side dishes that can take your dinner from “meh” to “more, please!” Ready to shake things up? Let’s dive in!

Purple cabbage steaks roasted until crispy in the air fryer on a plate.
Air Fryer Crispy Cabbage. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

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.

Ever had a spud letdown? Those days are gone. The air fryer ensures these baby potatoes attain a level of crispiness that’s unbeatable. A side dish that instantly elevates your meal from plain to palate-pleasing.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Air fryer butternut squash on a plate with a fork.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Forget the oven’s inconsistent roasting. The air fryer ensures the butternut squash crisps up beautifully, achieving a caramelized exterior. This is how you transform a winter staple into a dinner star.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Air Fryer Carrots

Simply seasoned roasted air fryer carrots on a plate with coarse sea salt garnish.
Air Fryer Carrots. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Carrots, meet your crispy destiny. With the air fryer’s precision, these become more than just a side—they’re the crunchy complement your dinner was missing. Under 20 minutes to a plate of crispy excellence? Yes, please.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Carrots

Air Fryer Crispy Asparagus Fries

Crispy Baked Asparagus Fries on a rack.
Air Fryer Crispy Asparagus Fries. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Asparagus, often a limp sidekick, turns into the hero of the plate when it meets the air fryer. Each fry emerges with a crispness that screams spring, ensuring your meal has that “oomph” factor.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Crispy Asparagus Fries

Air Fryer Crispy Cabbage

Purple cabbage steaks roasted until crispy in the air fryer on a plate.
Air Fryer Crispy Cabbage. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Say goodbye to the mundane boiled cabbage. The air fryer’s magic turns each cabbage steak into a crispy, mouth-watering sensation. Simple seasonings, maximum crisp.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Crispy Cabbage

Air Fryer Crispy Parsnip Fries

Parsnip fries on a plate with dipping sauce on a blue kitchen towel.
Air Fryer Crispy Parsnip Fries. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

The underdog of root veggies, parsnips find their mojo in the air fryer. With an exterior that’s unparalleled in crispiness and a dipping sauce to match, they might just overshadow your main dish.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Crispy Parsnip Fries

Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli

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

Mushy broccoli is a dinner tragedy. But in the air fryer? Even frozen florets turn into crispy delights that make you rethink this everyday veggie. This is broccoli’s redemption song.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli

Air Fryer Green Bean Fries

Crispy air fryer green bean fries with yogurt dip on a plate.
Air Fryer Green Bean Fries. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Green beans, once the plate’s filler, become the crunchy star with the air fryer’s touch. Paired with a spicy yogurt dip, they’re proof that crispy is the secret sauce to dinner success.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Green Bean Fries

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.

Imagine a potato so crisp, it feels gourmet. That’s the air fryer’s promise. These hasselback potatoes, with their buttery ridges, are the side dish your meal didn’t know it needed.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes

Air Fryer Mushrooms

Air fryer shiitake and cremini mushrooms on a plate with lemon wedges.
Air Fryer Mushrooms. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Mushrooms, with their rich flavors, get an upgrade in the air fryer. Crisped to perfection with a garlic-soy sheen, they’re the quick yet fancy side that’ll have your guests asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mushrooms

Air Fryer Okra Fries

Spiced air fryer okra fries served with a yogurt dip on a plate with fresh parsley.
Air Fryer Okra Fries. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

If you’ve sidelined okra due to its “slimy” rep, it’s time for a reintroduction. The air fryer transforms them into crisp, addictive fries, proving that every veggie has its day to shine.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Okra Fries

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.

Eggplant can be tricky, but the air fryer is its best friend. It emerges crispy, delightful, and ready to complement any dish. A side so good, it might just steal the show.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant

Parmesan Herb Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Air fryer sweet potato rounds with a parmesan herb crust garnished with thyme sprigs on a plate.
Parmesan Herb Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

The gentle sweetness of these potatoes is beautifully juxtaposed by their crispy exterior, thanks to the air fryer. With parmesan and herbs, they’re the side that takes dinner from “just another meal” to “can we have this again tomorrow?”
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Herb Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

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