When it comes to mealtime, it’s easy to focus on the main dishes like hamburgers or baked ziti that kids absolutely love. But what about the side dishes?

Often overlooked, sides can be an opportunity to introduce healthier options that are just as exciting and delicious. From crispy sweet potatoes to cheesy hasselback potatoes, these kid-friendly recipes are packed with flavor and some healthier ingredients.

Here are some healthier, easy-to-make sides that will win over even the pickiest eaters, making mealtime fun, colorful, and nutritious! Enjoy!

1. Cheesy Hasselback Potatoes by Miriam Fried

These are so easy to make, and so delicious!

These are also perfect to serve for melave malka. You can bake the potatoes with the spices before Shabbos and on Motzei Shabbos you can add the cheese and finish baking.

2. Spicy Roasted Vegetable Cubes by Estee Kafra

I once bought one of those cubed vegetable soup prep kits and made this side dish. If (like me) you don’t live near any huge supermarket that makes these chopped vegetable kits, it only takes a few minutes to actually do it by hand, so put on the music and start cubing! It’s worth the trouble.

3. Classic Pearl Couscous by Yocheved Shvarzblat

The flavors of this savory dish are so well balanced, and it’s so simple to make. I call this classic couscous because this couscous will be a classic at your next barbecue and every barbecue in the future.

4. Perfectly Flavored Potatoes by Leah Klein

These potato wedges are crispy, spiced to perfection, and easy to make every time.

5. Beer-Battered Air Fryer Onion Rings by Allison Waggoner

Air frying produces foods that taste deep-fried without all the extra fat. These easy, crispy onion rings will hit the spot as a supper side dish or a Motzaei Shabbat snack.

6. Cauliflower Israeli Salad by Chanie Nayman

This is the salad I make when I want something bright and fresh.

7. Smashed Garlic and Silan Broccoli by Sima Kazarnovsky

Smashing food is all the rage these days. From burgers to potatoes, the crispy ridges you attain from the larger surface area is a texture-filled dream. Smashing broccoli accomplishes the same experience. You get that crispy, roasted crunch on more of the floret for a perfect bite. And with this delicious silan glaze, this dish is that little “something different” side dish.

8. Crispy Oven-Fried Sweet Potatoes by Chay Wike

I’m a nerd who loves to research and experiment in my kitchen. I stumbled across this technique and it really brings an upgrade to your ovenfry game. Soaking sweet potatoes in cold water prior to oven-frying will result in delightfully crispy fries at home. This is because soaking helps to release their natural starches, making them more available during cooking. A minimum of 30 minutes will do, but several hours or overnight is even better. Another thing to note is to hold off on the salt until just before serving. Salt brings out moisture in foods, and we are really trying to keep these dry and crispy in the oven while roasting. Lastly, these will develop their final stages of crunchiness while cooling, so do your best not to pick at them until they are ready!

9. The Best Roasted Cauliflower by Menachem Goodman

Delicious is an understatement for how good this is cauliflower is. When I made it for my family it was finished before it even hit the table. I don’t like to pick “sides,” but if I had to pick one it would definitely be this one.

10. Cucumber Salad Deluxe from the Dining In Cookbook

Cucumbers and peppers are most kids’ favorite veggies… so this salad is a natural for them!

11. Simple Summer Salads by Adina Schlass

The simplicity of summer salads is perfect for those hot summer days when all we are craving is something fresh and light — but more importantly, it highlights how using seasonal produce at its peak of flavor makes a big difference. Lots of fresh herbs and good-quality ingredients are all you need here.

12. Sweet Potato Spiral Sticks by Sima Kazarnovsky

After a few failed tries, my husband suggested wrapping the skewers in silver foil. The wrapper forms a steam basket on the grill, creating charred potato rounds that are completely soft even though they weren’t pre-boiled. And that’s great because one of the many perks of barbecuing is keeping the kitchen free of dirty pots. I will pass along the thanks!

13. Kale Chips with Cashew “Cheese” Sauce by Elizabeth Kurtz

Move over, potato chips, your nutritious cousin is taking over. Seriously, my kids eat these straight off the baking sheet. I sprinkle them with any type of seasoning or drizzle with this cashew butter that tastes like melted cheese.

14. Air Fryer Avocado Fries by Jenny Tschiesche

Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these avocado fries are a delight. They make a great side dish, but are even better served as a snack with some tomato salsa on the side.