Easter Cooking • Air Fryer Sides • Holiday Recipes
25 Air Fryer Side Dishes for Easter Dinner
Fast, crispy, and actually impressive — these sides will out-shine the ham.
Easter dinner has a way of sneaking up on you. One minute it’s mid-March and you’re thinking “I have plenty of time,” and next thing you know it’s Holy Saturday and you’re staring down a raw ham wondering how you’re supposed to juggle four side dishes, a dessert, and the impossible chaos of a family gathering. Sound familiar? Good, you’re in the right place.
Here’s the thing nobody talks about enough: the sides are what make or break an Easter spread. The ham will do its ham thing regardless. But the sides — the roasted carrots, the garlic asparagus, the crispy potatoes — those are where you actually have room to shine. And when you’ve got an air fryer, you’ve got a serious advantage. You’re looking at perfectly caramelized vegetables, golden-crisp surfaces, and actual flavor in a fraction of the oven time.
I’ve been cooking Easter dinners with my air fryer for the past few years, and it’s genuinely changed how relaxed I feel on the day. Less hovering over the oven, more time with people I actually want to spend time with. These 25 air fryer side dishes for Easter dinner are the result of real testing, real tweaking, and yes, a few experiments that I will never speak of again. The ones that made this list? They’re all worth your time.
Overhead shot of a rustic wooden farmhouse table set for Easter, featuring six small serving dishes filled with vibrant air-fried vegetables: bright green asparagus spears glistening with lemon zest, golden-caramelized baby carrots scattered with fresh thyme, crispy mini potatoes dusted with paprika, roasted rainbow radishes with a blush-pink hue, lemony Brussels sprouts halved and golden-edged, and a bowl of herb-flecked green beans. Warm afternoon spring light streams in from the left, casting soft shadows. A vintage linen napkin in sage green and a sprig of fresh rosemary sit in the corner. The mood is cozy, abundant, and effortlessly elegant — Pinterest-perfect, styled for a food blog recipe round-up.
1. Crispy Garlic Asparagus with Lemon
Garlic Parmesan Asparagus
Asparagus is basically Easter’s unofficial vegetable, and the air fryer gets it right in ways the oven rarely does. Toss your spears in olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and a handful of grated Parmesan. Air fry at 380°F for 7 to 8 minutes until the tips are just starting to crisp. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon and you’ve got a side that looks elegant and takes almost no effort. Get Full Recipe
2. Air Fryer Honey-Glazed Carrots
Honey Glazed Baby Carrots
Baby carrots go into the air fryer looking kind of sad and come out caramelized, tender, and honestly gorgeous. Toss them in a mix of honey (or maple syrup if you want to keep it vegan), a tiny bit of butter, fresh thyme, and a pinch of salt. Cook at 375°F for 12 to 14 minutes, shaking halfway through. These taste like they took much more effort than they actually did. Get Full Recipe
Honey-roasted carrots are also a great gateway into the world of air-fried vegetables for anyone skeptical about the appliance. According to Healthline’s research on air fryer cooking, air frying uses substantially less oil than traditional deep frying while still producing that desirable crispy texture — which makes these sweet vegetable sides a genuinely lighter option without sacrificing any of the flavor that makes Easter sides worth eating in the first place.
Prep your carrots and asparagus the night before — trim, season, and store them in zip-lock bags in the fridge. On Easter morning you just dump and cook, and you’ll feel unreasonably organized.
3. Air Fryer Roasted Radishes
Butter-Roasted Radishes
If you’ve never roasted radishes, this is the year. Raw radishes have that peppery, almost aggressive bite. Roasted ones become mild, slightly sweet, and almost potato-like in texture — a genuinely excellent low-carb potato substitute that won’t confuse anyone. Halve them, toss with butter and a pinch of garlic salt, air fry at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes. Top with fresh chives. People will ask what they are. Get Full Recipe
4. Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic
Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
The air fryer might be the single best thing that ever happened to Brussels sprouts. The circulating heat gets those outer leaves properly crispy — something ovens never quite nail — while keeping the centers tender. Halve them, oil them, season with salt and pepper, air fry at 390°F for 13 to 15 minutes. Drizzle with balsamic glaze when they come out. Even confirmed Brussels sprout haters tend to eat these. Get Full Recipe
5. Air Fryer Green Beans with Almonds
Almond Green Beans
A lighter, crispier take on the classic green bean casserole without any of the canned soup guilt. Trim your green beans, toss in a little olive oil and garlic powder, air fry at 380°F for 8 to 10 minutes until they get a bit of color. Toss immediately with toasted sliced almonds and a squeeze of lemon. Serve them hot. They go fast. Get Full Recipe
6. Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
These pull double duty as both a side dish and an appetizer, which is convenient because your Easter guests will start eating them the second they come out. Fill mushroom caps with a mix of cream cheese, garlic, fresh herbs, and breadcrumbs. Air fry at 375°F for 14 to 16 minutes until golden. They’re rich, savory, and every single one will disappear. Get Full Recipe
7 to 12: The Potato Lineup (Because Easter Needs at Least One)
Let’s be real — potatoes are non-negotiable at Easter. And the air fryer does things to potatoes that should frankly be illegal in the best possible way. We’re talking genuinely crispy outsides with fluffy interiors, in about a third of the oven time. IMO, this is where the air fryer justifies its entire counter space footprint.
Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Boil small potatoes until just tender, flatten them with a fork or glass, brush with olive oil and seasoning, then air fry at 400°F for 15 to 18 minutes. Crispy edges, fluffy middles, absolutely no complaints. Top with sour cream and chives if you want to really show off. Get Full Recipe
Garlic Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes
Halve baby potatoes, toss with olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Air fry at 390°F for 16 to 18 minutes, shaking the basket once halfway. The herbs get beautifully fragrant and the potatoes develop that golden crust you just can’t fake. Get Full Recipe
Sweet Potato Wedges with Chipotle Dip
Sweet potatoes offer a nice color contrast on an Easter table and they’re genuinely better for you — loaded with vitamin C and beta-carotene, which according to Food Network’s registered dietitian experts makes them one of the most nutritionally dense options you can put on a holiday spread. Cut into wedges, season, air fry at 380°F for 18 to 20 minutes. Serve with a smoky chipotle yogurt dip. Get Full Recipe
Don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket with potatoes — if the pieces are touching, they steam instead of crisp. Cook in batches if needed. It’s worth the extra 15 minutes, promise.
Cheesy Hasselback Potatoes
These look incredibly fancy and impressive for something that’s mostly just sliced potatoes fanned open and stuffed with butter and cheese. Slice medium potatoes thinly crosswise (don’t cut all the way through), brush with garlic butter, air fry at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes, fan open the cuts and add cheese for the last 3 minutes. They’re ridiculous. In the best way. Get Full Recipe
Loaded Potato Skins
Scoop out baked potato halves, brush the skins with oil, air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes, then load with cheddar and bacon bits for another 4 minutes. Finish with sour cream and green onions. These are the side dish that inexplicably gets eaten before the main course every single time. Get Full Recipe
Parmesan Truffle Fries
Okay, “fries” at Easter dinner sounds weird until you serve them once and watch them vanish in about four minutes. Cut russets into matchsticks, toss them in a good truffle oil, season with Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Air fry at 400°F for 16 to 18 minutes until golden and properly crispy. Fancy enough for Easter, easy enough for a Tuesday. Get Full Recipe
I made the smashed potatoes and the garlic asparagus from this list for my Easter dinner last year and literally got more compliments on those two sides than on the lamb I spent three hours cooking. Will never go back to oven-roasting.
— Michelle T., from our community13 to 16: Bread, Grains, and Unexpected Gems
Not every side dish needs to be a vegetable, and not every great Easter side comes in a casserole dish. The air fryer handles bread, stuffing bites, and grain-based dishes surprisingly well — often better than the oven because the circulating heat hits every surface evenly.
Air Fryer Dinner Rolls
Store-bought dinner roll dough becomes bakery-quality when air fried. The outsides get a beautiful golden color while the insides stay pillow-soft. Brush with garlic herb butter the moment they come out of the fryer. Your guests will assume you woke up early to bake from scratch. You don’t have to correct them. Get Full Recipe
Crispy Chickpea Salad Topper
Drain and dry a can of chickpeas, toss with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, and salt, air fry at 400°F for 13 to 15 minutes until crunchy all the way through. These work as a standalone snacky side or as a topper for a spring green salad. They also happen to be a solid plant-based protein source — about 15 grams per cup — which makes them a genuinely useful addition if you’ve got plant-based guests at the table. Get Full Recipe
Stuffing Bites with Fresh Herbs
Take leftover stuffing (or make a quick batch), form into small balls, and air fry at 375°F for 12 to 14 minutes until they’ve got a crispy exterior and a warm, savory interior. Serve with a little gravy or cranberry sauce on the side. It sounds like a Thanksgiving side dish but it absolutely belongs at Easter — don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Get Full Recipe
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
If corn is in season where you are, do not overthink this. Brush ears of corn with butter, season with salt and your choice of spice (smoked paprika, Old Bay, or just plain), air fry at 380°F for 12 to 14 minutes turning halfway. The kernels get slightly charred and incredibly sweet. A good silicone basting brush makes seasoning these a lot cleaner and more even, FYI. Get Full Recipe
17 to 20: Spring Vegetable Stars
Easter falls right in the heart of spring, which means you have access to some genuinely fantastic seasonal produce. Spring peas, tender leeks, young zucchini, snap peas — these are all vegetables that shine when air fried because the quick, high heat preserves their natural sweetness and bright color without cooking out all the texture.
Air Fryer Snap Peas with Sesame
Fresh snap peas take about 6 to 8 minutes in the air fryer at 390°F and come out with a lovely slight char while staying crisp. Finish with a drizzle of toasted sesame oil, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and a pinch of flaky salt. Light, fresh, and the kind of side that makes people think you really know what you’re doing in the kitchen. Get Full Recipe
Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters
Grate zucchini, squeeze out the moisture (this step matters — do not skip it), mix with egg, Parmesan, herbs, and a little flour, form into patties, spray lightly with a good olive oil spray, and air fry at 380°F for 14 to 16 minutes flipping once. Serve with tzatziki or a simple herb yogurt. These are wildly popular with kids and adults equally. Get Full Recipe
Air Fryer Leeks with Parmesan
Leeks are quietly one of the most elegant vegetables available in spring, and almost nobody uses them as a side dish. Trim, halve lengthwise, toss with olive oil and sea salt, air fry at 375°F for 11 to 13 minutes until tender and golden. Scatter with grated Parmesan and fresh thyme. They look sophisticated and taste incredible — a genuinely underrated Easter move. Get Full Recipe
Spring Pea and Mint Fritters
Blend thawed peas roughly (don’t puree — you want texture), mix with fresh mint, feta, egg, and just enough flour to bind. Shape into small cakes and air fry at 380°F for 12 to 14 minutes. These are bright green, fresh-tasting, and exactly the kind of seasonal Easter side that feels intentional and festive. Get Full Recipe
Spring vegetables lose their color quickly after cooking. Time your air fryer sides to come out within 10 minutes of serving — they’re best (and best-looking) fresh out of the basket.
21 to 25: The Show-Stoppers
Every Easter table needs at least one side that makes people stop and actually say something complimentary. These five recipes are built for that moment. They’re not dramatically harder than anything else on this list — they just look and taste like you put in significantly more effort than you actually did. That’s the goal, isn’t it?
Air Fryer Stuffed Bell Peppers (Mini)
Use mini sweet peppers halved and filled with a mixture of seasoned rice or quinoa, black beans, corn, and shredded cheese. Air fry at 370°F for 15 to 18 minutes until the peppers are tender and the tops are golden. They’re colorful, individually portioned, and look like something from a catered event. You can find more stuffed pepper ideas in this collection of light air fryer stuffed peppers. Get Full Recipe
Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks
Slice a head of cauliflower into thick steaks, season aggressively with smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and a drizzle of olive oil. Air fry at 400°F for 15 to 18 minutes until dramatically caramelized. Serve with a herby chimichurri or tahini drizzle. These are genuinely stunning on a platter and work as a main for plant-based guests too. Get Full Recipe
Everything Bagel Asparagus Bundles
Bundle five or six asparagus spears together, wrap loosely with a strip of prosciutto, sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning, and air fry at 390°F for 10 to 12 minutes. The prosciutto goes crispy, the asparagus stays tender, and the seasoning blend adds that savory-garlicky crunch. These look like restaurant appetizers. They take five minutes to assemble. Get Full Recipe
Air Fryer Deviled Egg Stuffed Potato Skins
Two Easter classics mashed into one impressive side dish. Crisp up small potato skin halves in the air fryer, then fill them with a deviled egg-style mixture (egg yolks, mustard, mayo, paprika). Serve immediately, topped with chives and a dusting of smoked paprika. They’re bite-sized, festive, and genuinely delicious. Everyone at your table will take two. Get Full Recipe
Air Fryer Spring Vegetable Medley
The final and most versatile entry: a colorful spring vegetable medley tossed together in your air fryer basket. Use whatever combination works — asparagus tips, snap peas, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, thin zucchini rounds. Season with olive oil, Italian herbs, garlic, and sea salt. Air fry at 385°F for 12 to 15 minutes, tossing once. It’s a flexible, beautiful, can’t-fail side that goes with everything on your Easter table and requires basically no decision-making. Check out more ideas in this dump-and-cook air fryer veggie mix collection. Get Full Recipe
I used to be the person who burned the rolls and forgot to pull the carrots out of the oven. This year I made five sides from this list using my air fryer and had everything on the table hot at the same time. Game changer doesn’t even cover it.
— Rebecca from our Simply Tasty communityKitchen Tools That Make These Recipes Easier
You don’t need a fully stocked chef’s kitchen to nail Easter sides — but a few good tools genuinely make the process smoother. Here’s what actually earns its keep in my kitchen when I’m putting together a big holiday spread.
Physical Tools
Digital Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make air fryer side dishes ahead of time for Easter dinner?
Most air fryer vegetable sides are best served fresh, but you can absolutely prep everything in advance — trim vegetables, make seasonings, and store them ready-to-go in the fridge. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes and they’ll crisp back up nicely. Potato-based sides reheat particularly well this way.
How do I cook multiple air fryer sides at the same time for a big Easter dinner?
The honest answer is that you’ll need to work in batches unless you have a dual-basket air fryer. The good news is that most of these sides take under 15 minutes, so staggering them is very manageable. Start with things that hold heat well (potatoes, stuffed mushrooms) and end with delicate vegetables (asparagus, snap peas) that should go straight to the table.
What temperature should I use for air fryer vegetables?
Most vegetables roast well between 375°F and 400°F. Tender greens like asparagus and snap peas do better at 375 to 385°F, while denser vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts benefit from the higher end around 390 to 400°F. When in doubt, start lower and check early — you can always add time.
Are air fryer side dishes actually healthier than oven-roasted ones?
Generally, yes — air frying uses significantly less oil than traditional roasting methods to achieve a similar crispy result. Studies have shown that air-fried foods can contain substantially less fat than their deep-fried counterparts, though the difference versus a lightly oiled oven tray is more modest. The bigger win is often in cooking speed and consistency rather than dramatic calorie savings.
Which air fryer sides work best for a large Easter crowd?
For feeding a crowd, lean toward sides that can be prepped in bulk and cooked in batches without quality loss: honey-glazed carrots, garlic herb baby potatoes, crispy Brussels sprouts, and the spring vegetable medley all hold and reheat well. Stuffed mushrooms and asparagus bundles are crowd pleasers but are better made close to serving time.
Your Best Easter Table Yet
Easter dinner doesn’t have to be a high-stakes production. With the right recipes and an air fryer doing the heavy lifting on your sides, you can actually enjoy the day instead of spending it glued to a hot oven counting down timers. These 25 air fryer side dishes for Easter dinner cover every corner of a great spring spread — from elegant vegetable starters and crowd-pleasing potato dishes to fresh seasonal picks and flat-out impressive show-stoppers that take a fraction of the time they look like they should.
Pick four or five that genuinely excite you, do the prep the night before, and go into Easter morning with confidence. The real win here isn’t just the food — it’s getting to sit down at the table and actually enjoy the holiday you spent time preparing. That’s what the air fryer makes possible. Now go make something good.
