How do you get fussy eaters and veggie skeptics to clear their plates without a fight? Answer: You coat those veggies in a little oil and you air fry them to perfection.
Honestly, could dinner time get any easier than that? In a word, NO. In many words, you need these recipes in your back pocket for those busy weeknights when you need a side dish that everyone will actually enjoy.
These recipes are saving my life right now. From stuffed peppers to simple roasted sides, this is how we are doing dinner.
1. Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
Hello, party people! These savory little bites are absolute magic because the second they hit the table, they vanish into thin air.
We are talking about mushrooms stuffed with bacon, three kinds of cheese, and green onions. You might want to do yourself a favor and prep a second batch immediately because you are going to need it.
2. Air Fryer Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Getting that perfect sweet potato texture is totally effortless when you have an air fryer on your team.
Just coat them in a bit of oil and let them roast for about 15 minutes while you get the rest of dinner ready. These sweet gems are ready to be tossed into burritos, buddha bowls, or fall salads.
3. Air Fryer Cauliflower
I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about cooking cauliflower in the air fryer at first because roasted cauliflower is just so yummy. But this recipe? It totally made a believer out of me.
You get that spot-on consistency where it is crispy on the outside but perfectly tender on the inside.
4. Air Fryer Asparagus
You are going to want to file this method away for spring. Making asparagus in the air fryer is almost too easy—just sprinkle with garlic salt and olive oil and let it do its thing.
Add some Parmesan if you are feeling it, and in just 7 minutes, you are ready to eat.
5. Air Fryer Zucchini
The air fryer is hands down the best way to handle zucchini. It lets you enjoy this summer veggie whenever the craving strikes without heating up your whole kitchen.
Just give them a coat of olive oil and spices, or add breadcrumbs if you want that extra texture.
6. Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
I don’t care what anyone says, these are absolutely delicious. If you are a Brussels lover like me, you need to get these into your air fryer immediately.
They come out crispy yet tender and perfectly charred without being burnt, which is basically perfection.
7. Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
Warning: this plant-based snack is seriously habit-forming. You have sweet tender zucchini meeting a crispy breading that just makes you want to keep munching.
They are great on their own, but I love to dunk them in a cool Greek dip like tzatziki.
8. Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
Potatoes can be a little dramatic sometimes, right? Like, do you boil them first, or end up with some pieces that are somehow both burnt and raw?
I present to you the air fryer solution, which gets them cooked to perfection in just 25 minutes for any breakfast or dinner spread.
9. Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
I honestly thought the oven was the only way to go for spaghetti squash until I found this total life hack.
Now my squash is ready in a fraction of the time—just cut, oil, spice, and cook for 20 minutes instead of the usual 40. It is a low-carb dream that you can top with all your favorite fixings.
10. Air Fryer Broccoli
Is your broccoli coming out soggy or burned? Here is the trick: add a little water to the bottom of the air fryer to keep things moist and prevent burning.
Keep it simple with salt and pepper, or dress it up with onion powder, garlic powder, Parmesan, and a squeeze of lemon for a bite that is just immaculate.
11. Air Fryer Pumpkin
Air fryer pumpkin is basically the best friend to all your fall dishes, from pasta and salads to pizza toppings and power bowls.
You can just match your spices to the meal, whether you are feeling garlic and paprika or cozy cinnamon and nutmeg. Use whatever fits your vibe.
12. Air Fryer Beets
You really can’t beat these beets with their shorter cook time and total versatility.
With just a simple seasoning, you can toss them into a salad, blend them into hummus, or do what I do and just add goat cheese and dig right in.
13. Air Fryer Vegetables
This is hands down the best veggie side dish for pretty much any meal. It brings together a whole crew of peppers, squash, Brussels sprouts, and onions for a big range of flavors.
The seasoning is simple and versatile, perfect for pairing with pork chops, chicken, fish, or tofu.
14. Air Fryer Garlic Roasted Green Beans
Say hello to your new go-to Thanksgiving side dish. When the oven is full and the stove is busy, the air fryer is the only solution you need.
These green beans cook up in minutes and taste amazing with just a simple teaspoon of garlic powder.
15. Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
If you are hemming and hawing about dinner, I have found the ideal solution.
These cheesy, meaty, savory peppers are going to be a total smash with their filling of ground beef, rice, and tomatoes.
Top them with some melty Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or sharp cheddar and you are set.
16. Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters
These zucchini fritters are amazing any time of day, kind of like plump all-zucchini veggie burgers.
You just need an egg, some spices, green onion, and Parmesan, or swap in almond flour for a gluten-free version.
Whether you top them with sour cream or throw them on a bun, you are going to love this quick meal.
17. Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
I am a huge fan of buffalo cauliflower because they are just incredibly poppable little bites. Cooking them in the air fryer totally changes the game.
It is a perfect vegetarian appetizer option for game day that even the meat eaters will gobble up, especially with some celery and blue cheese dip.
18. Easy Air Fryer Mushrooms
If oil is bogging down your sautéed mushrooms, you need to switch things up and use the air fryer.
Just give them a shake after 10 minutes and let them cook a little longer. From pizza toppings to warm salad fixings, this is absolutely the best way to prep your mushrooms.
19. Air Fryer Roasted Carrots
You should probably start buying those giant bags of carrots because you are about to be eating them constantly.
These roasted carrots are remarkably addicting and the air fryer completely elevates them. Throw together a homemade dip to eat them like fries or just serve them up with family dinner.
20. Air Fryer Bell Peppers
These perfect peppers are so versatile for everything from fajitas to sausage. The process is super simple: slice, toss with olive oil and garlic powder, and air fry until they are tender with a slight char.
Feel free to mix up the spices for even more flavor options.
21. 10-Minute Air Fryer Kale Chips
You can snack healthy whenever hunger strikes with these kale chips. In just 10 minutes, you can be munching on leafy greens that are crispy, salty, and fresh.
They have the best crunch without being greasy at all.
22. Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Turn off that oven because you definitely won’t be needing it. Making butternut squash in the air fryer takes under 30 minutes, which is a huge timesaver.
I am loving a spice combo of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne.
23. Air Fryer Tomatoes
I love tomatoes pretty much any way you make them, and that definitely includes the air fryer. This method concentrates the juices to make them extra flavorful.
A drizzle of balsamic and Italian seasoning accentuates the sweetness, but honestly, simple salt and pepper works too.
24. Air Fryer Yellow Squash
Yellow squash can get mushy pretty fast, which is why the air fryer comes in handy. They cook on high heat for less than 10 minutes.
When they are done, the squash is perfectly tender without being too soft.
25. Air Fryer Eggplant
Cooking eggplant can be a little tricky because it often turns out soggy or just flat-out burned. That is why you need an air fryer to get those rounds just right every time.
Top them with Parmesan and Italian seasoning for a tasty snack or side that is like a low-cal eggplant parmesan.
