• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Air Fryer Mom
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Air Fryer Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Sides

    29 Side Dishes That Steal the Show Every Time

    Published: Apr 27, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

    • Facebook
    • Email

    When it comes to meals, sometimes the side dishes steal the spotlight from the main course. From creamy mashed potatoes to zesty coleslaw, these 25 sides can bring a burst of flavor and excitement to your plate. Whether you're hosting a dinner or just looking to spice up your weeknight meals, these sides might just become the stars of your dining experience.

    Mashed Potato Casserole

    Mashed Potato Casserole
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This cheesy mashed potato casserole is simple to prepare and requires very little time. It's a tasty side dish perfect for using up leftovers and can be made ahead of time.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Mac and Cheese

    buffalo mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This mac and cheese combines the best flavors for a comforting dish that everyone will love. With easy preparation and simple cooking, it's ready to enjoy in about an hour.

    Get the recipe

    Avocado Mango Salad

    Avocado mango salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salad goes great with salmon tacos and works well with many other meats too. It's a versatile side that adds freshness to any meal.

    Get the recipe

    French Potato Salad

    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A tasty potato salad can be made without mayo or eggs by using a creamy Dijon mustard dressing. This vegan and gluten-free dish is sure to be a hit.

    Get the recipe

    Brie Mac and Cheese

    A spoonful of brie mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This Brie Mac and Cheese is the creamiest and most flavorful Mac and Cheese ever. All done in one pan with no preboiling and no roux - just dump, bake, and enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

    Sour cream mashed potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Sour cream mashed potatoes are a tasty twist on the classic recipe. They're just as easy to make and add a nice creaminess that pairs well with turkey, ham, or even meatballs on a weeknight.

    Get the recipe

    Mexican Roasted Potatoes

    MExican. potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Mexican Potatoes are a tasty side dish that you can whip up in just 45 minutes. Seasoned with Mexican spices and finished with lime and cilantro, they pair perfectly with sauce or sour cream.

    Get the recipe

    Blue Cheese Coleslaw

    Blue cheese coleslaw.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Blue Cheese Coleslaw is quick to whip up in just 15 minutes and pairs perfectly with steak, barbecue, or buffalo dishes. Packed with flavorful blue cheese and well-seasoned, it's sure to become a go-to side dish.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Carrot Fries

    Carrot fries on a blue plate with a dip sauce.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Carrot Fries are quick and easy to make in under 15 minutes. These tasty and healthy fries are perfect as a snack or a side dish, and they pair well with any dipping sauce.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

    Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Cheesy mashed potatoes come together in just 35 minutes, offering a creamy and rich side dish. With two kinds of cheese mixed in, they're great for family dinners or whenever you want something comforting.

    Get the recipe

    Thai Crispy Rice

    Thai Crispy Rice
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Thai crispy rice is a tasty twist on traditional fried rice, bringing a satisfying crunch to your meal. This dish is sure to impress with its great flavor and texture.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes

    Air fryer hasselback potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes are all done in just 30 minutes for a quicker version of the classic Swedish side dish. With garlic butter and Parmesan cheese, this is a recipe everyone loves, and you are sure to come back to it over and over again. And don't miss my genius tip for cutting the perfect Hasselback potatoes!

    Get the recipe

    Truffle Mac and Cheese

    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This truffle version of the classic comfort food tastes like a restaurant dish, but it truly couldn't be simpler to make. No roux and no stovetop stirring - just layer raw pasta with Gruyere, cheddar, cream and truffle oil, then let the oven do all the work. With just 10 minutes of hands-on prep, it's easier than almost any mac and cheese recipe out there! But so much more elegant...

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Roasted Broccoli

    Garlic roasted brococli.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Broccoli can be a game changer when you try this simple recipe. This is a great way to enjoy a classic vegetable in a whole new light.

    Get the recipe

    Potato Wedges

    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air-fried potato wedges are quick and easy to make. Just add some salt and olive oil, and bake them until they're nice and crispy.

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Delicata Squash

    Delicata squash on a bed of mashed potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Roasted delicata squash is simple to prepare with ingredients you likely have on hand. In just 30 minutes, you'll have a flavorful side dish that complements any meal.

    Get the recipe

    Country Potatoes

    Country potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This side dish is perfect for any meal, including breakfast, and it's super simple to whip up using leftover potatoes. It's a great way to add some variety to your table.

    Get the recipe

    Mashed Potatoes Without Milk

    Mashed Potatoes Without Milk
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These creamy mashed potatoes are made without milk and get their richness from a generous amount of butter. Ready in under 30 minutes, they're a tasty side dish that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Steak Fries

    Air Fryer Steak Fries.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Steak Fries are quick and easy to prepare in under half an hour. These fries are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, making them a perfect side for any meal.

    Get the recipe

    Ranch Coleslaw

    Ranch coleslaw.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This ranch coleslaw is quick to prepare and full of flavor. Using store-bought mayo and ranch dressing keeps it easy and delicious.

    Get the recipe

    Cold Soba Noodle Salad

    Soba noodle salad.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This cold noodle salad is perfect for lunch and can be customized with your favorite protein or enjoyed on its own. It's a simple dish that's easy to pack and take with you.

    Get the recipe

    Smashed Potatoes

    Smahed potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Smashed Potatoes cooked in an air fryer are ready in under 30 minutes. Loaded with garlic and topped with crispy Parmesan, they add a tasty touch to any meal.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Bell Peppers

    Air fryer bell peppers.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Bell Peppers are a quick and tasty side dish that you can whip up in under 10 minutes. Seasoned with garlic and thyme, these peppers add a nice flavor to any meal.

    Get the recipe

    Arugula Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

    Arugula salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salad goes well with any main dish like salmon or steak, bringing together sweet, salty, and tangy flavors. It's a great addition to your meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

    Baby potatoes in a bowl.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These crispy potatoes are a great addition to any meat dish. Seasoned simply with salt, they remind you of the delicious Canarian "Papas Arrugadas."

    Get the recipe

    Smashed Potatoes

    smashed potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Smashed Potatoes are a tasty side that goes well with any meal. They're simple to prepare with just a few ingredients, resulting in a crispy and cheesy treat.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Rice

    Creamy rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This rice dish stands out with its rich flavors from butter and chicken stock, making it a delightful addition to any meal. It's a simple yet satisfying side that you'll want to have on your table.

    Get the recipe

    Caulislaw - Raw Cauliflower Salad

    Caulislaw - Raw Cauliflower Salad
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Caulislaw combines cauliflower, carrots, and red onions in a tasty mayo dressing. It's a quick and healthy side dish that's great for BBQs or as a topping for burgers.

    Get the recipe

    3 Cheese Mac and Cheese

    3 cheese mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This mac and cheese is ultra-creamy and ultra-cheesy thanks to the use of 3 perfecct cheeses. And it requires no stovetop sauce-making - just mix uncooked pasta with cheese, pour over milk and cream, and bake.

    Get the recipe

    More Sides

    • 22 Potato Side Dishes So Good They Outshine the Main Course
    • Smoked mac and cheese with bacon.
      12 Classic Southern Sides That Will Have Everyone Asking for Seconds
    • Mac and cheese.
      19 Heavenly Southern Sides That Will Leave Your Guests Raving
    • Smoked deviled eggs.
      12 Southern Sides That Will Make Your Guests Say ‘Bless Your Heart!'
    • Facebook
    • Email

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Readers Love These Recipes

    • Chicken and rice soup.
      22 Revolutionary Slow Cooker Chicken Dinners
    • Cauliflower beef taco skillet.
      17 Quick and Elegant Ground Beef Meals You Need to Try
    • Chicken adobo.
      23 Deliciously Simple Crockpot Meals for Stress-Free Cooking
    • Crockpot lasagna.
      14 Crockpot Dinners That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine

    Latest Articles

    • Hasselback potatoes.
      29 Side Dishes That Steal the Show Every Time
    • Texas pasta.
      19 Easy Pasta Recipes With Minimal Ingredients
    • Salmon.
      22 Impressive Seafood Dinners in 30 Minutes or Less
    • Walking taco casserole.
      25 Cheap Dinners Your Kids Will Actually Eat

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosure
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • [email protected]
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden

    Copyright © 2026 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB