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Home » Trending

19 Side Dishes So Good You Might Forget the Main Course

Published: Dec 4, 2025 by Janelle This post may contain affiliate links - read my disclaimer for full details... Leave a Comment

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These 19 recipes are what happens when supporting roles become the stars. Think golden potatoes, crunchy veggies, cheesy bakes, and saucy little wonders that make every bite unforgettable. Easy to whip up and impossible to resist, these sides turn any meal into something worth bragging about. Warning: may cause unplanned seconds (and shameless plate scraping).

Air Fryer Peppers and Onions

Air Fryer Peppers and Onions in an air fryer basket.
Air Fryer Peppers and Onions. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Air Fryer Peppers and Onions are sweet, flavorful, and a breeze to make! In just 10 minutes, you’ll have perfectly cooked peppers and onions with minimal effort!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Peppers and Onions

Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans

Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans with parsley, salt, and pepper.
Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Roasted potatoes and green beans are a tasty, simple side dish! Packed with complex carbs and starch, just pair with your favorite protein. These veggies are vegan and gluten-free!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans

Sauteed Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Sauteed Cast Iron Brussels Sprouts with Bacon in a white bowl with red pepper flakes, a spoon, and a fork.
Sauteed Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts with Bacon. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Sautéed Cast Iron Brussels Sprouts with Bacon is a quick, flavorful side dish! With just 5 ingredients and a cast iron skillet, prep and cleanup are a breeze!
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus on foil with parmesan, salt, and pepper.
Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Quick and easy roasted garlic Parmesan asparagus! Simply seasoned with avocado oil, sea salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese for a delicious side.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus

Air Fryer Frozen Brussel Sprouts

Brussel Sprouts in a white bowl with a spoon.
Air Fryer Frozen Brussel Sprouts. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Cooking frozen Brussels sprouts in the air fryer is a breeze! In just 15 minutes from freezer to fryer, you’ll have perfectly crispy Brussels sprouts!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Brussel Sprouts

Asparagus on the Blackstone Griddle

Blackstone Asparagus on white plate.
Asparagus on the Blackstone Griddle. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Cooking asparagus on the Blackstone Griddle is a breeze! Enjoy crunchy, delicious grilled asparagus with minimal ingredients—garlic, salt, pepper, and oil. This healthy side is ready in no time!
Get the Recipe: Asparagus on the Blackstone Griddle

Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash

Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash on a white plate with parsley, salt, and pepper.
Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash is a tasty, low-carb side dish that's perfect for keto and paleo diets! It’s a great pasta alternative and, best of all, it’s ready in under 20 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash

Air Fryer Parmesan Asparagus (Keto & Gluten Free)

Air Fryer Parmesan Asparagus (Keto & Gluten Free) on a white plate with parmesan cheese.
Air Fryer Parmesan Asparagus (Keto & Gluten Free). Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Making asparagus in the air fryer is super quick and easy! In just 7 minutes, you’ll have crispy asparagus ready to enjoy. For extra flavor, sprinkle on some grated Parmesan cheese!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Parmesan Asparagus (Keto & Gluten Free)

Instant Pot Cauliflower

Instant Pot Cauliflower in a white bowl with a fork.
Instant Pot Cauliflower. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Instant Pot Cauliflower is incredibly easy! Just 1 minute under pressure yields perfectly steamed cauliflower. Lightly seasoned, it's perfect for keto, paleo, and gluten-free diets.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cauliflower

Instant Pot Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower

Instant Pot Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower in a white bowl with butter, salt, pepper, and parsley.
Instant Pot Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

This Instant Pot Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower is absolutely delicious! It's a perfect low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, featuring a smooth texture and rich buttery garlic flavors.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower

Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

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

This twice-baked potato is cheesy, loaded, and just right for any dinner! Simple ingredients come together to create the ultimate comfort food side—easy to make, hard to resist!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Crispy Baked Zucchini in Oven

Crispy Baked Zucchini served on a white plate.
Crispy Baked Zucchini in Oven. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

Make your own breadcrumbs from any bread you have on hand and enjoy these crispy baked zucchinis! With their golden, panko-style crunch, they’re the perfect BBQ side or appetizer—gluten-free, low-carb, and diabetic-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Baked Zucchini in Oven

Rutabaga Fries

Rutabaga Fries serves in a glass.
Rutabaga Fries. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

These crispy rutabaga fries are the perfect keto-friendly treat! Low in carbs and high in flavor, they’re an easy way to enjoy rutabagas as part of your low-carb or keto routine without missing out on that fry crunch!
Get the Recipe: Rutabaga 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.

Golden, crispy edges and a soft center—these Hasselback potatoes, made in the air fryer, are the side dish you’ve been craving. With simple seasoning and a quick cook, they’re a tasty match for any meal, and so easy to whip up!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes

Air Fryer Zucchini and Squash

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

Want a quick and tasty side dish? This air fryer zucchini and squash is the answer! With just a touch of salt, pepper, and olive oil, it’s cooked to perfection with a beautiful browning—perfect for those summer meals.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini and Squash

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

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

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.

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

Greek Green Salad

Closeup side view shot of Prasini salad in a white dish.
Greek Green Salad. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Let this Prasini Salad transport you to the Mediterranean! With crisp romaine hearts, creamy feta, fresh scallions, and a tangy lemon vinaigrette, it’s the perfect simple salad to brighten up any meal.
Get the Recipe: Greek Green Salad

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Hi, I’m Lara, a Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer with a passion for food and travel.

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