# 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?

*By YPB Team · Published October 1, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-20-best-fried-side-dishes-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **French Fries** — score 1000/1000
   Crispy golden sticks of deep-fried potato, the world's most popular fried side.
2. **Onion Rings** — score 959/1000
   Thick onion slices dipped in batter and fried until crunchy, a burger-joint staple.
3. **Fried Zucchini** — score 802/1000
   Breaded zucchini sticks or slices fried to a crunchy finish, often served with ranch.
4. **Waffle Fries** — score 777/1000
   Lattice-cut potato fries with a crunchy exterior and soft interior, made for dipping.
5. **Fried Mushrooms** — score 694/1000
   Button mushrooms coated in seasoned breading and fried until golden.
6. **Jalapeño Poppers** — score 621/1000
   Jalapeño peppers stuffed with cheese, then breaded or bacon-wrapped and fried.
7. **Fried Green Tomatoes** — score 555/1000
   Unripe tomato slices coated in cornmeal and pan-fried, a tart Southern comfort food.
8. **Fried Okra** — score 555/1000
   Cornmeal-crusted okra pieces fried until crisp, a beloved Southern side.
9. **Tater Tots** — score 555/1000
   Bite-sized shredded-potato cylinders fried until crisp, a cafeteria and bar-food favorite.
10. **Sweet Potato Fries** — score 481/1000
   Slightly sweet orange fries with a crisp edge, a popular alternative to regular fries.
11. **Curly Fries** — score 481/1000
   Spiral-cut, seasoned fries with a spicy coating and playful shape.
12. **Tostones** — score 397/1000
   Twice-fried green plantain discs, crispy and salty, popular across the Caribbean and Latin America.
13. **Hush Puppies** — score 397/1000
   Deep-fried cornmeal batter balls that traditionally accompany Southern fish and barbecue.
14. **Potato Wedges** — score 397/1000
   Thick-cut, skin-on potato wedges fried or baked crisp with a fluffy interior.
15. **Corn Fritters** — score 397/1000
   Sweet-and-savory corn kernels in a light batter, deep-fried into golden nuggets.
16. **Cheese Curds** — score 397/1000
   Battered and fried fresh cheese curds that squeak and melt, a Midwestern fair favorite.
17. **Onion Strings** — score 299/1000
   Thin, shoestring-cut onions fried in a light batter into a tangled crunchy pile.
18. **Fried Pickles** — score 299/1000
   Tangy dill pickle slices or spears in crispy batter, a Southern classic served with ranch.
19. **Hash Browns** — score 185/1000
   Shredded potatoes fried into a crispy golden patty or pile, a breakfast classic.
20. **Mozzarella Sticks** — score 0/1000
   Breaded and fried mozzarella with a molten, stretchy cheese center, served with marinara.

Tags: food, usa, sides, fast food, fried food