Potatoes have a way of stealing the spotlight no matter what they’re served with. From creamy mashed potatoes to crispy wedges, these sides bring comfort, flavor, and just the right texture to any meal. They can stand next to any main dish and still be the part everyone talks about. Here are 21 irresistible potato side dishes that prove the best part of dinner can be on the side of the plate.
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Potato Gnocchi
These soft and pillowy dumplings soak up sauce, butter, or cheese in a way that makes every bite rich and filling. They cook quickly on the stove and bring a homemade charm that feels comforting without a lot of work. With flavor and texture this good, potato gnocchi often steal the spotlight from the main course.
Get the Recipe: Potato Gnocchi
Smoked Brie Potato Gratin
Thin layers of tender potato bake with smoky brie until the top turns golden and the center melts into creamy perfection. Each bite balances the rich cheese with the earthy flavor of potatoes for a side dish that feels extra special. This gratin is the kind of dish that can draw more attention than the main course itself.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Brie Potato Gratin
Sweet Potato Fries
Crispy edges and soft centers make these fries a snack and side all in one, and they taste even better with a favorite dip. Their natural sweetness works well with salty or spicy flavors, making them easy to pair with almost any meal. Sweet potato fries are so crave-worthy that they often outshine the main dish on the table.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fries
Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic
Roasted potatoes turn crisp on the outside and tender inside, while garlic and spinach add flavor that feels both simple and special. A touch of feta gives the dish a creamy, salty bite that makes every forkful satisfying. This is the kind of potato side dish that often draws more praise than the main course itself.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Thin potato slices soak up a cheesy sauce until each layer melts together in a rich and creamy bake. The top browns to a golden crust that cracks into soft, bubbling potatoes beneath. These scalloped potatoes are a classic side dish so irresistible that they can outshine whatever else is on the table.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Mashed Potatoes
Smooth, fluffy, and warm, these mashed potatoes deliver comfort in the simplest form. Butter and a bit of seasoning bring out the natural taste that pairs with nearly any meal. With texture this light and flavor this rich, it’s no wonder mashed potatoes often become the favorite part of dinner.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes
Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
Thin slices fan across each potato and crisp up in the air fryer while the inside stays soft and tender. A sprinkle of garlic, chives, and salt turns this simple dish into something that looks impressive but is easy to prepare. These hasselback potatoes are so striking and flavorful that they often steal the spotlight from the main dish.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potatoes cook low and slow until creamy, then get topped with crunchy pecans and gooey marshmallows. The mix of smooth and crisp textures makes every bite rich and satisfying. This casserole is one of those potato side dishes that feels so special it can easily outshine the main course.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole
Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes
These small potatoes turn crispy outside and creamy inside after just a short time in the air fryer. Their mild flavor soaks up simple seasonings, making them fit with almost any meal. Fingerling potatoes are such a quick and tasty side dish that they often become the star of the table.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes
Mashed Potato Cakes
Leftover mashed potatoes take on a new life when pan-fried into golden cakes with melted cheese inside. The outside turns crisp while the center stays soft and warm, creating layers of texture in every bite. These potato cakes are so hearty and flavorful that they can overshadow the main dish with ease.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Cakes
Maple Garlic Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potatoes are mashed with maple and garlic for a creamy side that brings both sweet and savory notes. The smooth texture and rich flavor make it a favorite next to almost anything. This dish proves how potato sides can be the highlight of the whole meal.
Get the Recipe: Maple Garlic Sweet Potato Casserole
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Tater Tots
Shaped into bite-sized pieces, these tots crisp up beautifully in the air fryer while staying soft inside. Their flavor is bold enough to stand on its own or work with dips and sauces. With a side dish this fun and delicious, the main course can often feel like an afterthought.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Tater Tots
Air Fryer Red Potatoes
Red potatoes cook up with skins that crisp while the insides stay tender and full of flavor. They need very little oil or seasoning to come out perfect and satisfying. This easy dish often steals attention from the main course because of its simplicity and taste.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Red Potatoes
Air Fryer Baked Potato
Cooking whole potatoes in the air fryer gives them a crisp skin and fluffy inside in less time than the oven. They are easy to dress with butter, cheese, or any favorite topping. With results this good, the baked potato often becomes the centerpiece of the meal instead of the side.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baked Potato
Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes
Bite-sized potatoes bake until crisp and then get covered with gooey cheese and a touch of heat. The mix of soft centers and crunchy edges makes them exciting to eat. These bold and flavorful potatoes are the kind of side dish that can easily steal the show.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes
Homemade Tater Tots
Grated potato is shaped and fried until each tot turns crisp outside and tender inside. They bring back a nostalgic flavor while still being simple to make from scratch. Tater tots this good can pull more attention than the main dish they sit beside.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Tater Tots
Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes
Fluffy potato filling is mixed with sour cream, cheese, and seasonings before being tucked back into the crispy skins. Each bite is rich and hearty, with both smooth and crunchy textures in one. This is the kind of potato side dish that feels like a full meal and often outshines the main plate.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes
Easy Scalloped Potatoes
Layers of potatoes bake in a creamy sauce until the top is golden, while the inside stays soft and rich. The dish comes together with just a few ingredients yet feels comforting and indulgent. These scalloped potatoes are a timeless side that can easily outshine the main course.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes
Sweet Potato Guacamole Bacon Bites
Roasted rounds of sweet potato act as the base for smooth guacamole and crisp bacon on top. The combination of sweet, salty, and creamy flavors makes them stand out from start to finish. This is the kind of potato side dish that gets more attention than the main course.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Guacamole Bacon Bites
Aloo Gobi Masala
Potatoes and cauliflower cook with warm spices in a sauce that’s rich and fragrant. Each bite is hearty and layered with flavor that makes it hard to stop eating. With seasoning this bold, this potato side dish often steals the spotlight from the main dish.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala
Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
Small baby potatoes cook quickly in the air fryer until their skins turn golden and crisp. The insides stay tender and pair well with almost any seasoning. These easy potatoes are so tasty that they often end up being the favorite part of the meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baby Potatoes