June 14, 2025, 4:48 am | Read time: 4 minutes
No barbecue evening is complete without the right side dishes! An air fryer is also perfect for preparation. Grill blogger Anja Würfl from “Die Frau am Grill” explains why this is the case and which recipes are suitable in this guest article.
Potato salad, herb butter bread, pasta salad–every barbecue has a few staples that are a must. But what about warm vegetable sides? Zucchini, eggplant, or sweet potatoes rarely get the full attention on the grill. Often, there’s either no space or simply no patience. This is where the air fryer shines–it eases the load on the grill, delivers predictable results, and makes classic grill sides effortlessly.
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Why use an air fryer for grilling?
Of course, you can cook vegetables on the grill–often with great roasted flavor. But when the grill is already packed with steaks, halloumi, sausages, and skewers, there’s simply no room for sides like eggplant or zucchini.
And while the grill requires constant turning and juggling, the air fryer runs quietly and reliably in the background. The result: evenly cooked, flavorful vegetables–without the hassle, without space issues, without an extra pan. Here are three air fryer recipes you can quickly try.
Three classic grill sides from the air fryer
1. Sweet potato cubes with rosemary & sea salt
Spicy, slightly sweet, crispy on the outside–perfect with anything from the grill.
Ingredients:
- 500 g sweet potatoes
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp coarse sea salt
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp paprika (optional)
Preparation:
- Peel sweet potatoes and cut into cubes about 2 to 3 cm in size.
- Mix with oil, salt, finely chopped rosemary, and optional paprika.
- Cook in the air fryer at 180°C for about 18 to 20 minutes, turning or shaking once during cooking.
- If needed, increase to 200°C for 2 minutes at the end for more browning.
Tip: Can be prepared in advance and reheated or crisped up later.
2. Zucchini slices with thyme oil
Light, aromatic, and quick to prepare–nice and juicy, especially at higher temperatures.
Ingredients:
- 500 g zucchini
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, pepper (to taste)
- Fresh thyme
Preparation:
- Cut zucchini into slices about 1 cm thick.
- Mix with oil, salt, pepper, and thyme.
- Cook in the air fryer at 190°C for about 8 to 10 minutes–lay as flat as possible.
- Increase to 200°C for 2 minutes at the end for light browning.
Also interesting: Asparagus from the air fryer? With these tips, it works
3. Eggplant cubes with garlic and oregano
Soft and creamy inside, with hearty seasoning–also great as antipasti the next day.
Ingredients:
- 1 large eggplant
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Preparation:
- Cut eggplant into cubes (about 2 cm), lightly salt, and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Pat dry, then mix with oil, oregano, garlic, and pepper.
- Cook at 190°C for about 12 to 14 minutes, shaking gently in between.
Also interesting: 8 tips for an almost perfect burger from the grill
How to manage multiple sides at once?
If the air fryer has only one chamber, the question quickly arises: How do you coordinate sweet potatoes, zucchini, and eggplant when they all have different cooking times? Here are a few simple strategies:
1. Plan the order
Start with the side that takes the longest (sweet potatoes), then follow with eggplant, and finally zucchini. Pre-cooked sides can be kept warm in the oven at 80°C–or simply crisped up later.
2. Keep warm instead of stress
Most vegetable sides can be kept warm for 10 to 15 minutes or served lukewarm. Zucchini or eggplant even benefit from a little resting time.
3. Avoid layering–or use it wisely
If your air fryer has a divider or two baskets, you can prepare several items at once–but try not to layer too high. Air circulation is key.
4. Preparation is everything
You can pre-cook many grill sides (e.g., bring sweet potatoes to half-cooked for 15 minutes), and then finish them briefly in the air fryer or even on the grill. This saves space and time during peak times.
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Conclusion
The air fryer doesn’t replace classic grill sides like potato salad–but it complements them with a practical, versatile way to prepare warm vegetables. Especially when the grill is full or space is limited, it’s invaluable. With a little planning, you can bring several types of vegetables to the table perfectly and stress-free–as a warm side, as antipasti, or just for snacking.
About the author:
Anja Würfl is a passionate grilling and cooking enthusiast and founder of the BBQ and food magazine “Die Frau am Grill.” With a mix of traditional recipes and modern interpretations, she inspires her community on YouTube, Instagram, and her website. As a certified fitness trainer, she values balanced nutrition without losing sight of enjoyment. Anja lives in Moosburg an der Isar and combines culinary diversity with practical everyday tips in her posts. Anja Würfl shares more air fryer recipes on this page.