Tired of juggling oven space during holiday meals? Put your air fryer to work this holiday season! It makes Christmas sides so easy to make and you’ll have perfectly cooked dishes without the hassle. From golden brussels sprouts to cheesy bites, these air fryer Christmas sides recipes will become some of your new holiday favorites!
This roundup shares some of my favorite side dishes that work perfectly for the holiday season. You’ll see many vegetables and potatoes in this list, but it also includes favorites like macaroni and cheese. And you can’t forget the dinner rolls! Yes, you can make them in the air fryer!
Air Fryer Green Beans
Green beans are a classic Christmas side dish. Air fried green beans are quick and easy to make. They’re crisp and full of flavor. You can add garlic and a sprinkle of parmesan for extra flavor. They pair well with any holiday main dish whether you’re serving turkey or ham. Save space in your oven with this easy take on green beans!
Air Fryer Sweet Potato
Air fryer sweet potatoes are a quick and tasty Christmas side. You’ll love that they’re crispy outside, tender inside, and full of all the holiday flavor. Making sweet potatoes in the air fryer is so easy too! You only need about 30 minutes. These are great if you’re serving a smaller holiday meal or if you want a taste of Christmas on a regular night. Perfect for pairing with ham, turkey, or beef roast—sweet potatoes keep it simple yet festive.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
Skip the standard sweet potato casserole and go for air fryer sweet potato wedges instead. Make them sweet by using mix of cinnamon and a pinch of brown sugar or you can keep them savory. These are great for kids and for more casual Christmas meals.
Air Fryer Macaroni and Cheese
Air fryer mac and cheese is a Christmas side dish you’ll love. And yes, you can make macaroni and cheese in the air fryer. It’s creamy, cheesy, and gets a crispy golden crust that’s amazing. Plus it saves room in your oven. It’s quick, easy, and tastes like comfort in every bite. Kids and adults will fight over seconds, guaranteed.
Air Fryer Carrots
Air fryer carrots are a perfect Christmas side dish—simple, quick, and delicious. They pair well with turkey, ham, or any festive main course. You can season them however you like—rosemary, garlic, or honey work great. Plus, it keeps oven space free for other dishes, which is always helpful during holiday cooking.
Air Fryer Carrot Fries
Air fryer carrot fries are a fun, crispy twist on traditional Christmas carrots. These are fun for kids, but everyone at the dinner table will like them! Swap regular roasted carrots for these fries, save time, and save space in your oven!
Air Fryer Dinner Rolls
Dinner rolls are a must-have when it comes to Christmas dinner! Everyone loves a good dinner roll and if you haven’t tried making rolls in the air fryer, you’re missing out! You’ll save oven space for bigger dishes, and these come out golden and soft every time. With their light, fluffy texture, they go well with any holiday meal, from turkey to ham.
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Smashed potatoes in the air fryer make an easy, crispy, and golden-brown Christmas side dish. They’re soft inside, crunchy outside which adds great texture to the holiday meal. These are a delicious alternative to mashed potatoes. Air frying skips the need for heavy oil while locking in great texture and flavor. The process is quick, so you’ll have more time for other festive dishes.
Air Fryer Potato Wedges
Air fried potato wedges are another great alternative to mashed potatoes for the holidays! Kids of all ages love them!
Air Fryer Cauliflower
If you’re looking for alternatives to more traditional Christmas vegetable side dishes, air fried cauliflower is a great option. It’s easy to make and offers your family and friends an option to some of the heavier more traditional sides.
Air Fryer Broccoli
Air fryer broccoli is a quick, tasty, and healthy Christmas side dish. It pairs with everything from turkey and ham to steak and roast beef. That makes it a good option as a side dish if you’re serving a less traditional main dish. One of the best things about this recipe is that you can season it differently to get a variety of flavors. Try garlic, parmesan, or even some lemon.
Air Fryer Mushrooms
Air fried mushrooms are quick, flavorful, and add a savory touch to any holiday spread. Whether served as a side dish or used as a topping for mashed potatoes or green beans, they’re versatile and always a hit with mushroom-lovers. Plus they only take about 10 minutes to make, so you can make even more air fryer sides once they’re done!
Air Fryer Squash
Want a Christmas side dish that brings color to the table? Air fryer squash is the dish! It’s bright yellows and greens are festive, plus this is a healthier side dish option. That can be a welcome addition to a table with tons of heavier dishes.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Butternut squash screams cooler weather and holidays to me. It’s just one of those flavors that makes me think of my favorite time of the year. Air Fryer Butternut Squash is the perfect recipe for chilly fall evenings and for the holidays. It’s rich and warm but only takes about 15 minutes. Your guests will think you roasted it for hours!
Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
Not everyone is a fan of brussels sprouts, but I’ve learned it’s all in how they’re cooked. If they’re cooked well, they’re delicious. And if they’re wrapped in bacon, they’re perfection! These air fryer brussels sprouts wrapped in bacon make a delicious Christmas side dish or appetizer!
Air Fryer Zucchini
Zucchini is another great veggie side dish that adds color to the Christmas feast. Air fryer zucchini only takes about 10 minutes to cook and is an easy way to add more flavor and variety to your mean while also offering everyone a healthier side dish option.
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
I know, I know. When you think of Christmas corn, you probably don’t think of corn on the cob. But I’ve included air fryer corn on the cob because it’s a great way to get the kids to enjoy corn. I love the way the air fryer brings out the flavor of the corn. If you’re having a more casual Christmas meal or maybe you’re focusing more finger food type dishes, you should definitely think about making corn on the cob!
From crispy veggies to golden potatoes, air fryers are a holiday lifesaver. Enjoy stress-free sides this Christmas. Ready to get cooking? It’s the holiday season and food is always a big part of making memories. So have a wonderful holiday and make some amazing memories together over the dinner table!
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