![Southern Living Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.southernliving.com/thmb/IEtVyJjVGrGHfC3otKZxYlDNSnw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Air-Fryer-Fried-Green-Tomatoes-3x4-759-ddeaee544b164e92869aa1d243638df1.jpg)
Alison Miksch
In the vast world of kitchen gadgets, the continuum of usefulness runs quite the gamut. On one end, you have frequent flyers like a pizza cutter and toaster, and on the other, there's the onion peeler that seemed like a great idea at the time and the corn silk remover you just had to have for the four times a year you buy fresh corn. One kitchen tool that you won't find in cabinet purgatory? The air fryer.
Since they surged in popularity back in 2016, we've broken out the miracle appliance for everything from hard-boiled eggs to chicken tenders. It truly can cook anything (and at half the time of your normal oven and a fraction of the mess of deep- or pan-frying)! Did you know you can actually line your air-fryer basket with aluminum foil for even quicker cleanup? We'd trust our air fryer with just about any recipe, but we especially love the miniature convection oven for its ability to turn out delicious sides on a dime. Here are 12 super-easy air-fryer sides to add to your weeknight repertoire.
Air Fryer Asparagus
![asparagus topped with goat cheese and seasoning](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/5Tnimz7q43tdmlfMl_ELIjOw0v8=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Air_Fryer_Asparagus_050_4x3-2000-0eb606cd23284a4da8a2e3d18549e410.jpg)
An air fryer isn't good for just frying. Use the tiny, high-powered oven to roast veggies in a fraction of the time. Fresh asparagus take just 8 minutes to achieve peak tenderness.
Air Fryer Okra
![Air Fryer Okra](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/1yOfHEkZsRDFE5ni7pTmDYZ0m08=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/air_fryer_okra_slseobatch15_0001-s-2000-299181fd874543098866d421849880b8.jpg)
Fried okra is a Southern delicacy we can never get enough of, but it can be heard to convince ourselves to deep fry on a weeknight. This air-fryer version makes prep and cleanup a snap.
Air Fryer Corn On The Cob
![Southern Living Air Fryer Corn on the Cob on a marble background](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Hi5SMnDT7mPQgxHKHnIOfD9EV8A=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SL_Batch16_AirFryer_Corn_0001_preview-6ee1d586835f449cb0d4a18df74aabf6.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel
Nothing says summertime like grilled corn on the cob. When it's too hot to head outdoors, sub your grill for an air fryer and enjoy the warm-weather side that's every bit as crisp and tender.
Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes
![air fryer fried green tomatoes on a platter with dipping sauce](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/eDOUNZ370Y2ydW7vDcFIvZrQHBY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Air-Fryer-Fried-Green-Tomatoes-1x1-760_preview-93c22ccf951d4a77afd741f9df90dc8a.jpg)
Whether you grew 'em yourself or were gifted the green delicacies by a loving neighbor, this is the best way to use up the Southern-certified produce.
Air Fryer Hush Puppies
![air fryer hush puppies](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/WX4HIgruZmX7SbpgXurf1wSm2TU=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Air_fryer_hush_puppies_3X4_003-11b4152e28b44182860c8b45ef77e0df.jpg)
No fish fry or seafood dinner is complete without a sweet-salty, perfectly golden brown hush puppy. You can achieve all the hallmarks of the cornmeal fritter using an air fryer.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
![Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/BKh1Y66HUPpZ5gvjn9XDUZbj-1w=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SL_SEO24_AirFryerSweetPotatoFries_002_preview-a682ffbc69b54c7f90561daf63ae05c9.jpg)
Got a French fry craving but want to keep dinner light and healthy? Sub russet potatoes for sweet potatoes and give them a whirl in the air fryer rather than a vat of oil.
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
![Smashed Potatoes on a blue tray](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/pNWRoCu8HeNXitaciznSSUSx4wc=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Smashed_Potatoes_012-a7b427647b0e4870913be75e66594a6f.jpg)
Crispy, salty potato skins plus creamy, starchy middles--what's not to love? Pro tip: You may want to make double of the accompanying Everything But The Kitchen Sink Sauce.
Air Fryer Bloomin' Onion
![Air Fryer Blooming Onion](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/CucMKhhUDpjWwCzV016HLUTvSNQ=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sl_batch16_airfryer_bloomingonion_0012-s-2000-a38b5a97f7c442aeabe722d05ac4a796.jpg)
Step aside, Outback Steakhouse! We love this show-stopping appetizer as flavorful side served alongside an expertly executed home-cooked steak.
Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
![Air Fryer Zucchini Chips](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Xb3rsES5q3wPLJQJ25KEdAv1I5c=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sl_batch16_airfryer_zucchinibites_0010-s-2000-615e880230c442edb045df0e2c4ed6b1.jpg)
Parmesan and panko tag team to create the crispiest, crunchiest crust on these fresh zucchini medallions.
Air Fryer French Fries
![Air Fryer French Fries](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Gs08asdWc4F965ZapRgSOnnMZ5I=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/airfryerfrenchfries-2000-e31d21ff5fd449ff9491e26abc7a561e.jpg)
You can get your French fries as addictively crispy as your favorite fast-food restaurant does, just don't skip the potato soak to drain off excess starch and help the crisping process.
Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
![Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/mkd-2izwzZVSddjFitkuxg4toyc=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Air_Fryer_Lemon_Pepper_Wings_297-1x1-1-adb620d463d448fc9618a978f009d585.jpg)
OK, these aren't your average weeknight dinner side, but when game day rolls around and the watch party spread takes on epic proportions, everything counts as a side—lemon pepper wings and barbecue ribs included.
Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
![Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/8vW9FJYlB9-ZFOKyNxcpUE6_8f4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/air_fryer_shrimp_slseobatch15_0006-s-2000-b9714052aa4247ff95e0b8e3b23cc28b.jpg)
If you're looking to wow your family or date with homemade surf and turf, this air fryer coconut shrimp is exactly the simple but impressive recipe you need.