When the air turns crisp and the farmers market fills up with squash, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts, it’s time to rethink what goes next to the main dish. These 21 best fall side dish recipes lean into the season’s coziest flavors: brown sugar, cinnamon, maple, garlic butter, and warm pumpkin spice.
Better yet, many of them are quick shortcuts that keep your oven free for the turkey, ham, or roast chicken. Whether you’re planning a Thanksgiving spread or just want something warm and seasonal on a Tuesday night, you’ll find a new favorite here.
Cozy Winter Squash Sides
1. Air Fryer Acorn Squash (Brown Sugar & Cinnamon)
This is the classic fall side made easy. Acorn squash halves are brushed with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then air fried at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes until the edges caramelize and the flesh is soft enough to spoon. With just five ingredients, it’s a simple way to bring autumn to the table.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Acorn Squash (Brown Sugar & Cinnamon)
2. Instant Pot Butternut Squash
No peeling and no wrestling a giant squash with a chef’s knife. The pressure cooker handles butternut squash whole, halved, or cubed, and the skin slips right off when it’s done. Finish it with butter, maple syrup, flaky salt, or fresh sage for an effortless fall side.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Butternut Squash (Whole, Halved & Cubed)
3. Air Fryer Frozen Butternut Squash
Short on time? Grab a bag of frozen butternut squash cubes and air fry them straight from the freezer at 400°F. In about 15 minutes you’ll have tender squash with deep golden, caramelized edges, no thawing required.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Butternut Squash in 15 Min
4. Easy Air Fryer Stuffed Kabocha Squash
Kabocha squash has a naturally sweet, creamy flesh that’s perfect for stuffing. This version is air fried until tender, then filled with a savory mixture for a show-stopping side (or a light vegetarian main) that doesn’t heat up the kitchen.
Get the recipe: Easy Air Fryer Stuffed Kabocha Squash
5. Instant Pot Acorn Squash
Pressure cooking makes acorn squash tender in a fraction of the oven time. Brush the halves with melted butter and a sprinkle of brown sugar when they come out, and if you want extra caramelization, give them a quick minute or two in the air fryer.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Acorn Squash
Sweet Potato Favorites
6. Easy Sweet Potato Casserole With Canned Yams
All the holiday comfort, none of the peeling or boiling. Canned yams are mashed with brown sugar and warm spices, then topped with gooey marshmallows or crunchy pecans. It’s ready in about 40 minutes and can be assembled ahead.
Get the recipe: Easy Sweet Potato Casserole With Canned Yams
7. Boston Market Sweet Potato Casserole (Copycat)
Creamy, buttery mashed sweet potatoes finished with a crumbly brown sugar streusel. Bake it in one dish or portion it into ramekins so everyone gets their own crunchy top.
Get the recipe: Boston Market Sweet Potato Casserole (Copycat)
8. Outback Steakhouse Sweet Potato (Copycat Honey Butter)
Whole sweet potatoes are cooked until fluffy, split open, and loaded with whipped honey cinnamon butter and brown sugar. It’s the steakhouse side everyone orders, made right at home.
Get the recipe: Outback Steakhouse Sweet Potato Recipe (Copycat Honey Butter)
9. CAVA Roasted White Sweet Potatoes
White sweet potatoes are a little less sweet and a little more nutty than orange ones. Cubed and roasted, they turn deeply caramelized and crispy on the edges with a soft, creamy center. Great with roast chicken or a fall grain bowl.
Get the recipe: CAVA Roasted White Sweet Potato Recipe
10. Air Fryer Canned Sweet Potatoes
The ultimate pantry shortcut. Drain and rinse canned sweet potatoes, season them, and air fry at 380°F for 10 to 15 minutes until crisp and golden. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want a fall side in minutes.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Canned Sweet Potatoes
Crispy Brussels Sprouts
11. Longhorn Steakhouse Crispy Brussels Sprouts (Copycat)
High, dry heat in the air fryer gives these sprouts crispy edges, then they’re tossed in a sweet-and-spicy glaze made with butter, honey, and maple syrup. Even Brussels sprouts skeptics go back for seconds.
Get the recipe: Longhorn Steakhouse Crispy Brussels Sprouts (Copycat)
12. Copycat Bonefish Brussels Sprouts
Bacon and maple syrup are a fall flavor match made in heaven. Halved sprouts and chopped bacon are tossed together with olive oil, maple syrup, and seasonings, then air fried until the bacon is crisp and the sprouts are caramelized.
Get the recipe: Copycat Bonefish Brussel Sprouts Recipe
13. Seasons 52 Caramelized Brussels Sprouts
Demerara sugar and butter help these sprouts caramelize beautifully, and a finish of crispy bacon and balsamic glaze makes them holiday-table worthy.
Get the recipe: Seasons 52 Caramelized Brussels Sprouts Recipe
14. Air Fryer Garlic Butter Brussels Sprouts
Simple ingredients, big flavor. The sprouts get crispy in the air fryer, then a drizzle of melted garlic butter goes on while they’re still hot so every leaf soaks it up.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Garlic Butter Brussels Sprouts
Glazed Carrots
15. Air Fryer Glazed Carrots
Sweetened naturally with honey, these carrots come out with beautifully caramelized edges and a tender center. They pair with nearly any fall main, from roast chicken to steak.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Glazed Carrots
16. Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Glazed Carrots (Copycat)
Baby carrots tossed with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then air fried at 375°F for 12 to 15 minutes. They taste like dessert but count as a vegetable, which makes them a hit with kids.
Get the recipe: Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Glazed Carrots Copycat Recipe
Stuffing, Cornbread & Corn
17. Easy Air Fryer Cornbread Dressing (Southern Style)
Real cornbread, onion, celery, sage, and poultry seasoning come together in about 30 minutes for a dressing with a golden, crispy top and a soft, savory center. If you’ve ever fought for oven space on Thanksgiving, this one solves it.
Get the recipe: Easy Air Fryer Cornbread Dressing (Southern Style)
18. Air Fryer Pumpkin Cornbread
Canned pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg make this cornbread rich, moist, and unmistakably autumnal. Serve it with chili, roast chicken, or pork chops, and know that it’s a great make-ahead option for the holidays.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Pumpkin Cornbread
19. Jiffy Corn Casserole in the Air Fryer (No Sour Cream)
This spoonable corn casserole skips the sour cream and uses heavy cream instead for an extra velvety center under a golden top. It serves eight, so it’s perfect for a crowd.
Get the recipe: Jiffy Corn Casserole in the Air Fryer (No Sour Cream)
Comforting Potatoes
20. Chili’s Loaded Mashed Potatoes (Copycat)
The secret is leaving the skins on. Hand-mashed red potatoes get topped with melted cheddar-jack, crispy bacon, and chives for a hearty side that’s ready in about 40 minutes.
Get the recipe: Chili’s Loaded Mashed Potatoes (Copycat Recipe)
21. Vesuvio Potatoes
This Italian-American classic features golden, crispy potatoes tossed with garlic, herbs, and a touch of lemon. They’re crispy outside, tender inside, and an easy match for roast chicken, steak, or fish.
Get the recipe: Vesuvio Potatoes Recipe
Tips for Planning Your Fall Side Dishes
- Balance the menu. Aim for one starchy side (potatoes, dressing, or cornbread), one sweet side (sweet potatoes or glazed carrots), and one or two green vegetables like Brussels sprouts.
- Free up the oven. Mix in a few quick-cooking sides so the oven stays open for the main dish.
- Make ahead when you can. Sweet potato casserole and pumpkin cornbread can be prepped a day early, so the day-of work is just reheating.
- Shop the season. Acorn, butternut, and kabocha squash, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts are at their best (and often cheapest) in the fall.
Fall Side Dish FAQs
What are the most popular fall side dishes? Sweet potato casserole, roasted squash, Brussels sprouts, stuffing or dressing, mashed potatoes, and cornbread top most fall and Thanksgiving menus.
How many side dishes should I serve for Thanksgiving? For 8 to 10 guests, four to six sides is usually plenty: a stuffing, a potato dish, a sweet potato dish, one or two vegetables, and bread.
What fall side dishes can I make ahead? Sweet potato casserole, cornbread dressing, and pumpkin cornbread can be prepared a day in advance and reheated before serving.
Final Thoughts
From caramelized acorn squash to crispy maple bacon Brussels sprouts and pumpkin cornbread, these 21 best fall side dish recipes bring the flavors of the season to every meal. Pick a few for your next weeknight dinner, or mix and match them to build the perfect Thanksgiving table. Pin this list so you’ll have it handy all season long!
