The 20 Best Fried Side Dishes of All Time

Crunchy, golden and impossible to stop eating, these sides range from drive-thru staples to Southern-kitchen specialties and fair-food oddities. Which fried favorite deserves a spot on your tray?

1. 1
   French Fries

   Crispy golden sticks of deep-fried potato, the world's most popular fried side.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Onion Rings

   Thick onion slices dipped in batter and fried until crunchy, a burger-joint staple.
   959pts
3. 3
   Fried Zucchini

   Breaded zucchini sticks or slices fried to a crunchy finish, often served with ranch.
   802pts
4. 4
   Waffle Fries

   Lattice-cut potato fries with a crunchy exterior and soft interior, made for dipping.
   777pts
5. 5
   Fried Mushrooms

   Button mushrooms coated in seasoned breading and fried until golden.
   694pts
6. 6
   Jalapeño Poppers

   Jalapeño peppers stuffed with cheese, then breaded or bacon-wrapped and fried.
   621pts
7. 7
   Fried Green Tomatoes

   Unripe tomato slices coated in cornmeal and pan-fried, a tart Southern comfort food.
   555pts
8. 8
   Fried Okra

   Cornmeal-crusted okra pieces fried until crisp, a beloved Southern side.
   555pts
9. 9
   Tater Tots

   Bite-sized shredded-potato cylinders fried until crisp, a cafeteria and bar-food favorite.
   555pts
10. 10
    Sweet Potato Fries

    Slightly sweet orange fries with a crisp edge, a popular alternative to regular fries.
    481pts
11. 11
    Curly Fries

    Spiral-cut, seasoned fries with a spicy coating and playful shape.
    481pts
12. 12
    Tostones

    Twice-fried green plantain discs, crispy and salty, popular across the Caribbean and Latin America.
    397pts
13. 13
    Hush Puppies

    Deep-fried cornmeal batter balls that traditionally accompany Southern fish and barbecue.
    397pts
14. 14
    Potato Wedges

    Thick-cut, skin-on potato wedges fried or baked crisp with a fluffy interior.
    397pts
15. 15
    Corn Fritters

    Sweet-and-savory corn kernels in a light batter, deep-fried into golden nuggets.
    397pts
16. 16
    Cheese Curds

    Battered and fried fresh cheese curds that squeak and melt, a Midwestern fair favorite.
    397pts
17. 17
    Onion Strings

    Thin, shoestring-cut onions fried in a light batter into a tangled crunchy pile.
    299pts
18. 18
    Fried Pickles

    Tangy dill pickle slices or spears in crispy batter, a Southern classic served with ranch.
    299pts
19. 19
    Hash Browns

    Shredded potatoes fried into a crispy golden patty or pile, a breakfast classic.
    185pts
20. 20
    Mozzarella Sticks

    Breaded and fried mozzarella with a molten, stretchy cheese center, served with marinara.
    0pts

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