Fast and Fresh Healthy Potato Side Dishes You Can Make in a Snap

We know what you’re thinking: a dish that’s stuffed with smashed, cheesy spuds and then fried simply cannot be a healthy potato recipe. But this seven-ingredient masterpiece is about to convince you otherwise. It is amplified with vitamin- and fiber-rich broccoli and features high-impact ingredients (ahem, extra-sharp cheddar) in small amounts so you score maximum flavor per calorie. Then, to cut down on excess fat, we air fry instead of deep-fry.

These pancakes aren’t necessarily for breakfast, but they are tasty enough that you’ll want to eat them all day, any day. Cheesy and a little spicy, the potato pancakes make a terrific side dish pretty much any night of the week. (After all, you can make a batch in under 4 minutes.) A zesty sour cream topping goes on before serving to make this easy potato side dish stand out from the crowd even more.

Related: Get Cracking with One of These Breakfast-for-Dinner Recipes

Bright lemon, briny capers, and earthy parsley freshen up these classic yet healthy mashed potatoes. With a mix of heart-healthy olive oil and just a bit of butter to loosen up the texture, these cream-free potatoes have just 98 calories per serving. To make these weeknight-friendly, make the entire side dish up to 24 hours early and refrigerate separately from the caper topping. Then just reheat in a saucepan, top with the caper mixture and a final splash of olive oil, and devour.

What goes great with almost any entrée? Sweet potato fries. Admittedly, these healthy roasted potatoes aren’t technically “fried,” but roasting them in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil makes them taste pretty similar (without the added fat of deep-frying). Serve with fresh arugula and crunchy hazelnuts for a fast and fresh take on classic sweet potato fries.

Related: How to Make Homemade French Fries 3 Ways

Everyone knows that adding plenty of butter and garlic is the secret to great mashed potatoes, but this easy recipe amps the flavor. A leek gives the healthy mashed potatoes extra oomph without overpowering it like an onion might. And instead of just adding the butter, you cook the leek, garlic, and parsley in it for a mouthwatering mashed potato topper.

Buy It: OXO Potato Masher ($14, Target)

Rethinking the standard potato salad? Start here. This simple and healthy potato side dish has some of the same ingredients we love about classic spud salad—new potatoes and mayo, most importantly—and a few zippy ingredients like yellow bell peppers, green olives, and over a cup of fresh basil. Instead of a classical creamy coating, we mixed mayo with white wine vinegar and lemon juice for a tasty, lighter dressing.

Related: 23 Potato Recipes Worthy of Your Next Party

Have your spiralizer handy because it’ll be your best friend for this healthy potato salad recipe. Spiralize a potato, then bake the swirls so they get nice and crispy. As that roasts, spiralize a large zucchini for fresh zoodles, then add cherry tomatoes to give this simple vegetable toss bright color and a sweet-tart punch.

Buy It: OXO Tabletop Spiralizer ($42, Bed Bath & Beyond)

Feta cheese may not be one of your usual potato soup toppings, but this recipe makes the case for why it should be. (It’s that good.) While you can make this quick and healthy potato side dish in just over a half hour, it tastes like it’s been simmering all day. Instead of blending the potatoes, leave them bite-size to stud the chicken broth, which also has fresh kale and lemon zest for a soup that can complement a wide variety of meals.

If you’re lucky enough to have a surplus of red potatoes, we highly recommend that you dice and toss ’em into a spicy Mexican hash. Chopped tomatoes, onion, and a fresh jalapeño pepper join red potatoes to make this zesty Mexican side dish. The healthy potato recipe is not all spice though: While the hash is still warm, mix in a scoop of shredded cheese and it will melt just enough as you serve and savor this side.

Fresh zucchini is at its peak during prime potato salad season. With that in mind, it’s only logical to mix the squash with new potatoes. The vinaigrette for this healthy potato salad recipe is a little sweet and a little spicy thanks to honey and jalapeño peppers. Hard-cooked eggs add protein, but if you’re bringing this side to a potluck or barbecue, you can make it a little heartier by adding a couple cups of pulled pork or chopped grilled chicken.

Roasted veggies are a delicious addition to any meal, but they can also be time-consuming. But when you “roast” them in a skillet, they’ll be tender, tasty, and ready to eat much quicker. Roast a mix of baby beets, new potatoes, sweet potatoes, and pea pods with a drizzle of oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper, then serve with a few lemon wedges to perk things up.

Buy It: Cuisinart Stainless Everyday Pan with Cover ($35, Target)

Instead of full-on mashed potatoes, leave them a little chunky and serve smashed potatoes. This easy potato side dish gives you permission to stop smashing your potatoes as soon as your arm *just* starts to get tired. While the potatoes are still partially intact, mix in cream cheese, butter, and a few fresh herbs to make this side dish rival even your most tried-and-true mashed potato recipe.

The next time you make this summery side, skip the mayonnaise and hard-cooked eggs. Instead, opt for this light, healthy potato salad recipe featuring fresh sweet corn, basil, and roma tomatoes (plus plenty of new potatoes, naturally). You’ll still get a taste of richness and tang thanks to a homemade vinaigrette and creaminess from salty crumbles of feta cheese.

Celery root and ripe pears make mashed russets more nutritious and extra delicious. The mix of fruits and veggies will turn this comfort food into one that’s good for you, too. That means you can absolutely load up these healthy mashed potatoes with buttermilk and butter before adding a scoop to your plate. 

This healthy potato soup looks pretty straightforward, but it’s actually hiding a pinch of warm spices. A few sprinkles of curry powder and cayenne powder give this sweet potato side dish a hint of spice, but it won’t set your mouth on fire. Worried about the spice level? A spoonful of yogurt tames the heat while making the soup extra creamy.