27 Sides You’ll Regret Not Making Sooner

Looking for sides that will steal the spotlight at your next meal? I've gathered a collection of recipes that are not only simple but also pack a punch in flavor and texture. Whether you're cooking for a crowd or just a cozy dinner, these dishes are sure to become your new go-tos!

Grilled cabbage wedge on a plate, partially cut, with a fork and sprinkled with herbs. — Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

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Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Air-fried brussels sprouts with grated parmesan cheese on a white plate. — Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These crispy Brussels sprouts cook quickly in the air fryer, making them the perfect side for a busy weeknight. The air fryer gives them a nice crunch without the need for extra oil. They’re easy to prepare and ready in no time. The flavor combination of crispy edges and tender centers makes them a side you’ll reach for again and again. It’s a side dish that proves how simple ingredients can pack a punch.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Bacon Green Beans

Close-up of a plate with sautéed green beans and bacon pieces, with a fork spearing a few beans. — Bacon Green Beans. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Green beans with bacon are a game-changer when it comes to side dishes. The air fryer makes them cook up quickly, while the bacon adds a savory touch you won't forget. It's an effortless dish that’s as easy to prepare as it is to enjoy. With the air fryer doing most of the work, you'll appreciate how fast this comes together. The result is crispy, flavorful green beans that complement any main course perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Green Beans

Aloo Gobi Masala

Aloo Gobi Masala brings the bold flavors of Indian cuisine to your table with minimal effort. The combination of potatoes, cauliflower, and spices cooks up beautifully in the air fryer. It’s a side dish that's full of flavor and quick to prepare. The air fryer ensures the vegetables cook evenly and retain their textures. It's the perfect side to serve alongside your favorite main dish.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala

Slow Cooker Rice

A spoonful of slow-cooked white rice held above a bowl, with a fresh green parsley leaf in the background. — Slow Cooker Rice. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This slow-cooked rice is the ideal side for those who want a hassle-free, yet flavorful addition to their meals. The slow cooker does all the work, allowing you to focus on other dishes. It’s a simple recipe that delivers perfectly fluffy rice every time. With minimal prep and no need to stir, it’s a side dish that saves you time. It pairs well with a variety of main courses, making it versatile for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Rice

Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Cabbage gets a whole new twist when wrapped in bacon and cooked in the air fryer. This side dish comes together quickly, with the air fryer creating crispy bacon and tender cabbage. It’s a great way to add flavor and texture to a simple vegetable. The bacon infuses the cabbage with rich, savory flavor, making it a side that stands out. You won’t miss the oven when you see how easy this is to make.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Green Beans with Garlic Butter

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

Green beans tossed in garlic butter make for a side dish that’s simple yet full of flavor. The air fryer cooks them to perfection, keeping them crisp while infusing them with the savory goodness of garlic butter. Ready in just minutes, this dish is a perfect complement to any meal. The garlic adds a fragrant depth, while the butter creates a smooth, rich coating. You’ll love how easy and quick this side is to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Air Fryer Home Fries

Air-fried potato cubes with diced green bell peppers on plate. — Air Fryer Home Fries. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Crispy, golden home fries are possible in just a fraction of the time with an air fryer. These potatoes cook quickly, with the perfect balance of crispy outsides and tender insides. It’s a side that can be served at any meal and is super easy to prepare. You won’t need to deal with messy frying or long cook times. Just pop them in the air fryer and enjoy perfectly cooked potatoes every time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Home Fries

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Close-up of a cheesy scalloped potatoes dish in a white baking dish, garnished with parsley. — Easy Scalloped Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Scalloped potatoes are a classic comfort food, and the air fryer version makes them quicker than ever. The thinly sliced potatoes cook evenly, while the creamy sauce wraps them in flavor. With just a few ingredients, you can have a rich, creamy side dish ready in under an hour. The air fryer makes this dish faster than traditional oven-baked scalloped potatoes. It’s a side dish you’ll wish you made sooner.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Teriyaki Noodles

A bowl of stir-fried noodles with vegetables, topped with sesame seeds, placed on a brown cloth napkin. Chopsticks rest on the bowl's edge, and a small dish is visible in the background. — Teriyaki Noodles. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Teriyaki noodles are a sweet and savory side that pairs perfectly with a variety of dishes. The air fryer makes them cook up with a slightly crispy texture, adding a new twist to a classic. Ready in minutes, this side dish comes together quickly and is full of flavor. The teriyaki sauce brings a delicious balance of sweet and salty, making it a side everyone will love. It’s an easy addition to your weeknight dinner rotation.
Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Noodles

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese in front of a slow cooker. — Crock Pot Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Mac and cheese made in the crockpot is the perfect creamy side with minimal effort. The slow cooking process gives the cheese time to melt into the noodles, creating a smooth, rich dish. It’s a comfort food that’s simple to prepare and feeds a crowd. You won’t need to babysit the pot as the slow cooker does all the work for you. It’s a side you’ll want to make over and over again.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Seafood Pasta Salad

Seafood pasta salad is a refreshing and filling side perfect for warm days. The mix of seafood, pasta, and fresh vegetables comes together quickly and can be served cold or at room temperature. It’s a no-cook side that’s great for gatherings or quick meals. The seafood adds a touch of elegance, making this pasta salad a step up from your typical side dish. It’s a refreshing change that pairs well with just about anything.
Get the Recipe: Seafood Pasta Salad

Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole is a holiday classic, but it’s also great for a cozy weeknight dinner. The combination of green beans, creamy sauce, and crispy onions is a flavor combination you’ll want to make often. It’s an easy side dish that comes together in one pan, with the air fryer making it faster to cook. The crispy topping adds just the right crunch, making every bite satisfying. It’s a side dish that always gets rave reviews.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Two halves of baked sweet potato topped with butter and garnished with herbs on a white plate, with a red checkered napkin on the side. — Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Sweet potatoes cooked in the air fryer are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. This side dish is quick to make, and the natural sweetness of the potatoes shines through. With no need for an oven, you can get these sweet potatoes ready in a fraction of the time. They pair perfectly with savory dishes, adding just the right amount of sweetness. You’ll appreciate how easy and fast these are to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Sliced and roasted cabbage wedges seasoned with herbs on a white plate, garnished with black pepper and fresh herbs. — Roasted Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Roasted cabbage steaks are an easy, flavorful side dish that cooks up quickly in the air fryer. The cabbage becomes slightly caramelized on the edges, giving it a satisfying texture. It’s a simple and healthy option that complements almost any meal. The air fryer ensures the cabbage cooks evenly, while the roasting brings out its natural sweetness. It’s a side dish that you’ll wish you had made sooner.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Ratatouille

Ratatouille is a French vegetable dish that becomes even easier to make with the air fryer. This vibrant mix of vegetables is roasted to perfection, bringing out their natural flavors. It’s a great way to enjoy a variety of vegetables in one dish. With minimal prep, this side dish comes together quickly and is a great complement to any main course. You’ll love how the air fryer brings out the flavors in these vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille

Braised Brussels Sprouts

Plate of roasted Brussels sprouts with lemon slices, served with a creamy sauce. A fork holds one sprout above the dish. — Braised Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Braised Brussels sprouts are a great choice for those who want a side that’s both flavorful and easy to make. The air fryer gives the sprouts a perfectly tender texture while keeping them golden and crispy. With just a few simple ingredients, this side is ready in no time. It pairs well with both meat and vegetarian dishes, making it a versatile option. You'll find this side dish a quick go-to for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Braised Brussels Sprouts

Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes garnished with parsley, set on a pink cloth napkin, with whole potatoes and a grater in the background. — Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Garlic mashed red potatoes are the perfect side for any meal, with a creamy texture and rich garlic flavor. The air fryer helps make the potatoes perfectly tender in less time than traditional methods. With no need to boil water, this is a super easy side dish. The red potatoes hold their shape well, giving a nice texture to the mash. You’ll love how quickly this dish comes together.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes

Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

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

Twice-baked potatoes are a classic comfort food, and the air fryer makes them even easier to prepare. Loaded with cheese, bacon, and other tasty toppings, these potatoes make a hearty side that everyone will enjoy. The air fryer ensures they cook up with a crispy skin while staying soft on the inside. It’s an easy dish that looks impressive but requires minimal prep. You’ll be making these often once you try them.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Vegan Mexican Rice

Mexican rice in small oval serving dish with spoon. — Vegan Mexican Rice. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Vegan Mexican rice is a flavorful and simple side that goes perfectly with any meal. The mix of spices, vegetables, and rice cooks up quickly in the air fryer. It’s a great way to add color and flavor to your meal without much effort. The air fryer ensures the rice is fluffy and perfectly cooked, with no need for constant stirring. This side dish is perfect for any night when you want something quick and tasty.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Mexican Rice

Air Fryer Potato Wedges

Fried potato wedges with ketchup and parsley. — Air Fryer Potato Wedges. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Potato wedges cooked in the air fryer are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. These wedges cook in a fraction of the time compared to baking, making them a great side for busy nights. The air fryer creates a perfect texture without the need for extra oil. They’re easy to prepare and can be seasoned however you like. This is the perfect side dish to pair with any meal, from burgers to grilled chicken.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Potato Wedges

Crab Fried Rice

A bowl of fried rice with vegetables and crab meat. — Crab Fried Rice. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Crab fried rice is a unique side dish that adds a touch of elegance to any meal. The air fryer makes it easy to prepare with minimal fuss while still getting great results. The combination of tender crab, rice, and vegetables creates a well-balanced side that’s sure to impress. With just a few ingredients, you can enjoy a restaurant-quality dish at home. It’s a perfect side to serve with seafood or stir-fries.
Get the Recipe: Crab Fried Rice

Mushrooms and Green Beans

A fork holds cooked green beans and sliced mushrooms, with more on a plate in the background. — Mushrooms and Green Beans. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Mushrooms and green beans come together in this easy, flavorful side. The air fryer cooks them quickly, ensuring the beans stay crisp and the mushrooms are perfectly tender. It’s a simple dish that pairs well with any main course. The garlic and seasoning infuse the vegetables with rich flavor. You’ll love how quickly this side comes together with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Mushrooms and Green Beans

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Cabbage and bacon in white serving bowl. — Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Southern fried cabbage with bacon is a comforting, flavorful side that’s quick to prepare. The bacon adds a savory richness to the cabbage, making it a dish that’s hard to resist. The air fryer cooks the cabbage evenly, giving it a tender texture with a slight crisp. It’s a side that’s simple to make but full of flavor. You’ll be making this one over and over again once you try it.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

Sliced glazed carrots garnished with herbs on a fork, with more on a plate in the background. — Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Maple glazed carrots in the air fryer are the perfect balance of sweet and savory. The air fryer caramelizes the maple syrup, giving the carrots a rich, golden glaze. It’s a side that’s quick to prepare and goes well with any meal. The carrots cook evenly, with a soft interior and slightly crisp edges. You’ll love how easily this simple dish comes together in the air fryer.
Get the Recipe: Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

Zucchini Bruschetta

Zucchini bruschetta is a fresh, light side that’s perfect for warm weather. The zucchini absorbs the flavors of the tomatoes and herbs, creating a tasty side that pairs well with just about anything. With a quick cook time, it’s a side dish that’s ready in no time. The air fryer ensures a crisp texture without needing to bake. It’s an easy, light dish to serve alongside your main meal.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bruschetta

Green Bean Tomato Salad

A plate of green beans tossed with cherry tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese, accompanied by a fork, on a white surface. — Green Bean Tomato Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Green bean tomato salad is a refreshing side that’s perfect for picnics or dinner parties. The combination of fresh vegetables and simple dressing creates a light and flavorful dish. It’s easy to prepare and can be served chilled or at room temperature. The green beans provide a nice crunch, while the tomatoes add juiciness. This is a side dish that pairs well with a wide variety of main courses.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Tomato Salad

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

A spoon lifting a smashed potato garnished with rosemary, with a festive table setting in the background. — Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Smashed potatoes cooked in the air fryer come out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The addition of cheese takes this classic side to the next level, making it an irresistible dish. Ready in less time than baking, it’s a fast and easy side to prepare. The cheese melts perfectly over the potatoes, adding a creamy texture that complements the crispy edges. It’s a side dish you’ll want to make often.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese