What would a burger be without a portion of fries? And what's better with a portion of fried chicken than baked beans, mashed potatoes, coleslaw – or all three? Often, it's the side dishes that really make a great fast food meal, and in some cases they outshine the main event. From classic items that have stood the test of time to fan-favourite limited editions and new inventions, we count down to reveal the greatest fast food side dishes of all time.

What’s your go-to fast food side order? Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the most delicious fast food side dishes of all time, counting down to the most delicious of them all.

Our ranking is based on reviews, accolades and the popularity of each side dish, taking into account sales, longevity and the reaction to the products at the time of their release. This list is unavoidably subjective.

This sensational side is a cheesy, potatoey dream: perfectly crisp, seasoned potato wedges served with McDonald's Mexico's McQueso sauce. Unfortunately for fast food fans outside of Central America, the dish is only available in Mexico, where it’s almost as popular as the chain’s French fries.

Customers in France, Spain and Greece can grab a chunkier alternative to fries with their meal. Similar to Mexico's McPatatas, potato wedges are the thicker, fluffier cousin of fries that have been seasoned to perfection. They’re served with various sauces, depending on where you buy them. In France, they come with chive-spiked Creamy Deluxe sauce, while in Spain they’re served with sour cream. Some other countries have been lucky enough to have limited runs, so keep an eye out if you want to try them.

Fries are just more fun when they’re curly. If you’d rather give boring straight fries a pass, head to a Burger King in New Zealand, Germany, Malta or one of the few other countries that has offered them in the past. There’s still no guarantee that you’ll be able to get hold of them, though, as their appearance on the menu is often temporary. But, if you can grab them, you’ll be rewarded with seasoned fries that are both fluffy and crispy with a fun bouncy shape.

One of the lightest fast food side dishes available, Chipotle makes a big deal of its tasty guacamole, which is freshly mashed in-house every day. You can really taste the difference: the texture is creamy but still chunky, and the flavours are all perfectly balanced, with just enough chilli kick from the jalapeños. Paired with Chipotle’s signature lime tortilla chips, it’s the perfect snack.

Secret menu items and hacks allow people to really make their fast food orders their own. Some of them get so popular that it’s impossible for restaurants to ignore them – and that's exactly what happened with Chick-fil-A’s pimento cheese side. The chicken chain started selling a Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich, which led to some restaurants selling sides of the cheese on its own. It got so popular as a secret menu item that Chick-fil-A gave in, offering pimento cheese as a limited edition side, much to the delight of its fans.

As well as regular sweet potato fries, Smashburger switches things up further with its Sweet Potato SmashFries. These shoestring, sweet potato beauties are fried before being tossed in the chain’s signature Italian olive oil, rosemary and garlic mix. Connoisseurs rave about the resulting flavour, the flaky coating and the delicate interior of the fries, which are the perfect accompaniment to one of the chain’s beloved burgers.

Canada is the only place in the world where you can try KFC’s irresistible take on poutine alongside your Original Recipe fried chicken. The hearty side consists of French fries topped with squeaky cheese curds and smothered in KFC’s famous chicken gravy. The fast food chain’s secret recipe gravy is said to be flavoured with the crispy crackling pieces that are left over from deep frying all that chicken, so it’s no surprise that it works so well with fries.

We’ve all had onion rings, but how about chicken rings? These uniquely shaped chicken nuggets are sold by White Castle, a family-run American brand founded in 1921 that’s generally considered the world's first hamburger chain. It’s most famous for its Original Sliders, but White Castle’s unusual chicken side is also wildly popular – the chain has sold more than three billion of them since 1995. Served with your choice of honey mustard, BBQ or ranch dipping sauce, they make a tasty change from fries.

Family-run Midwestern fast food chain Culver's is best known for its deliciously named ButterBurger (a juicy beef patty served on a lightly buttered, toasted bun), but its cheese curds are just as tasty. These morsels are made using yellow and white Wisconsin Cheddar cheese, which is breaded and deep fried until golden brown on the outside and wonderfully melty on the inside. Culver's was founded in Wisconsin, also known as ‘America's dairyland', so it’s no surprise the crispy curds are best served with the chain’s signature cheese dip.

Another legend in the fast food side dish world, KFC’s creamy coleslaw has a huge following, with a host of copycat recipe hacks to its name. Featuring crunchy shredded cabbage and carrots bound in a blend of mayonnaise, buttermilk, vinegar, sugar and spices, it's prepared with ‘just the right amount of zesty crunch’, according to the chain, and its enduring popularity is testament to that. It’s worth noting that, as well as being offered as a side, the slaw features in many of KFC’s wraps.

Bojangles may not be too familiar to anyone outside of the American South, but those who know it are all too ready to rave about its sides, or fixins. This fried chicken chain is usually all about buttermilk biscuits, but the mashed potatoes have plenty of fans too. Always made from real potatoes (no flakes or powders here), it’s mashed with butter and topped with the chain’s signature gravy – which, in true Southern style, is a creamy white sausage gravy, perfect for pairing with biscuits.

One of the most popular items on the Five Guys menu, these fresh, hand-cut fries are cooked 'boardwalk-style', meaning they’re first blanched in cold water before taking a dip in the deep fat fryer. The result? A crisp, fluffy fry – with not a hint of sogginess in sight. It’s the generous showing of Cajun spices that ensures this side dish really sings though. Pro tip: for extra crunch, order your Five Guys fries 'extra well done'.

Tossed in olive oil, rosemary and garlic, Smashburger tater tots make a tasty alternative to a standard portion of fries. Delivering a satisfying combination of crispy exterior and fluffy centre, these tater tots inspire devotion in many fans, who rank the golden potato nuggets well ahead of the offering at other fast food outlets.

The chilli at Wendy’s is nothing short of iconic. You can get it slathered on a baked potato with cheese or in some loaded fries, but real fans know that a simple pot of hearty chilli on the side is the way to go. Packed with beans, tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables, as well as ground beef, it’s a warming, comforting side that adds a little spice to any meal.

These cheesy sticks are coated in a golden, crispy crumb, come with a salsa dip and are available in portions of three or nine. When the dippers first launched in 2015, disgruntled diners likened them to ‘fried air’ and McDonald's removed them from menus the following year. Their popularity has grown since then, though, and they regularly reappear as a special menu item in the UK and Ireland. Now, they're praised for their intensely gooey centre and impressive cheese pull – and fast food fans the world over want them in their country.

Burger King first introduced onion rings to its menu in the early 1970s, and the item has commanded a dedicated fan base ever since. Renowned for their exceptionally crispy, well-seasoned crumb and excellent batter-to-onion ratio, these deep-fried treats taste especially good dunked in the brand’s tangy, sweet-spicy Zesty Sauce.

Raved about thanks to their perfectly crunchy exterior and fluffy centre, Chick-fil-A’s Waffle Potato Fries' unique shape means they win serious points in the dip-ability stakes. They’ve been around since 1985, and are currently the most ordered item on the menu, eclipsing even the chain's iconic fried chicken sandwiches in terms of popularity. Good news for fast food fans outside the US: the Atlanta-born chain has confirmed that it will be launching in Britain in the next few years, followed by a wider global expansion.

This retro drive-in chain boasts carhops on roller skates and is loved for its classic cheeseburgers, beef hot dogs and customisable lemonade. Sonic recently released a new version of its fries (for the first time in a decade) and fans are already sold. Groovy Fries are called groovy for a reason – they’re designed with deep grooves that make them perfect for dipping. Sonic pairs the fries with its new Groovy Sauce (a combination of creamy ranch with sriracha), which you can get for free when you ask for it with your side.

When news of a collaboration between these two snacking giants broke on 1 April, 2023, many initially feared it might just be an April Fool’s joke. Happily for UK-based fast food lovers, the launch of crispy chicken strips coated in crushed Doritos was very real indeed (though, less happily, for a limited time only). Frenzied fans took to social media to express their delight, with some going as far to say that they were ‘blown away’ by the new addition to the BK menu.

Some KFC sides, like corn, are seen as ‘take it or leave it’ options. Not so with KFC mashed potatoes. They’re often placed at the top of the list of essential fried chicken sides, with many believing their meal just wouldn’t be the same without them. They’re super smooth, buttery and topped with KFC’s peppery gravy. There couldn’t be a more comforting side to have alongside hot and crispy chicken.

KFC’s baked beans are seasoned with a dash of Kentucky BBQ sauce and it’s fair to say fans can’t get enough. Marketed as a 'family favourite', this item is notoriously elusive and can be hard to find at certain KFC locations. Luckily, the internet is awash with countless copycat recipes for the legendary side dish – though, as true devotees will warn you, the real deal just can't be beaten.

Jack in the Box has been serving onion rings since the 1950s, so the burger brand knows a thing or two about them. It's not stuck in its ways, though, and recently gave its onion rings a big upgrade. By switching to a panko breadcrumb, the chain made its onion rings lighter, crispier and all-around more delicious than ever before. The move paid off, with fans ranking them among the best fast food onion rings out there.

Believed to be the only major fast food chain to sell baked potatoes as a side, Wendy’s shifts an impressive one million baked spuds every week. Launched in 1983, when low-fat diets were all the rage, the item has remained popular ever since. Customers can choose to have their hot-from-the-oven potato served plain, or topped with sour cream and chives, creamy cheese sauce, bacon and cheese, or chilli cheese.

Popeyes might be renowned for its buttermilk battered, Southern-style chicken, but its creamy mashed potatoes and Cajun gravy garners plenty of attention, too. Fans say that, although the side is delicious on its own, it tastes even better when crispy fried chicken, smooth mashed potato and flavourful gravy combine in a single, delicious mouthful. With Popeyes locations across the US and Canada  and plans to expand its global presence in the next few years, it's likely more people will soon discover this delight.

This classic side features a rich and creamy sauce made from Parmesan, Cheddar and Romano cheeses. The mix is then baked in-house, until a crispy layer forms on top. When mac ‘n’ cheese was first added to the Chick-fil-A menu in 2019 in Dayton, Ohio, restaurants couldn’t keep up with demand. To this day, fans rave about the homemade taste. Chick-fil-A mac ‘n’ cheese hacks regularly go viral on TikTok, with users adding other menu items such as chicken nuggets and fries. Really, though, this delicious side dish needs no alteration.

Shake Shack has been wowing fast food fans with its amazingly rich, juicy burgers and frozen custard since launching in 2001, but its signature crinkle-cut fries are always a must-order for us. They’re praised for being perfectly golden and crisp on the outside, and light and fluffy on the inside, but what takes them to the next level is the addition of the restaurant’s special blend Shack cheese sauce.

This side dish makes an appearance every few months and fans go wild every time – there’s even a petition to make them a permanent menu item. Spicy, crunchy and cheesy, they’ve popped up on McDonald’s menus across the world. When Chilli Cheese Bites first launched in the UK in 2021, Burger King was quick to point out that the same item had been on its menu for 15 years, with a cheeky social media post suggesting McDonald’s had 'copied their homework'.

While potato-based sides are a dime a dozen, pickle sides are a little less common. That’s not due to a lack of interest, though, as pickle lovers will happily try out anything that feeds their cravings. The popularity of the fried pickles at Zaxby’s is proof of that. These pickle rounds, breaded and then deep fried until crispy as can be, made several limited appearances on the Zaxby’s menu and proved so popular, they were eventually made permanent fixtures.

Chicken Fries first launched on the Burger King UK sides menu in 2005, but the item was discontinued in 2012, despite having a cult following. Fans petitioned ardently on social media for its return and the fast food chain reintroduced the item to the UK for a limited time in 2014. The following year, it made the crunchy chicken strips a permanent feature in 30 countries around the world. This time, though, Britain missed out; various other flavours have made short-term appearances on UK menus, but it’s the original version that fans really want.

Domino’s Twisted Dough Balls, which first launched in 2022, are so wildly popular there was absolute uproar when the pizza chain discontinued the bitesize swirls of soft, garlicky dough in the UK. Proactive fans launched a Twitter campaign to bring them back, tweeting every day for 147 days – until Domino’s cracked and reintroduced the doughy balls of goodness in 2022. They come in cheese or pepperoni flavours, and it’s safe to say customers adore both. Sadly, they're yet to travel the globe.

Whether you think it’s a side or more of a full meal, mac 'n' cheese is undeniably delicious. That’s something Domino’s was all too ready to acknowledge in 2024, introducing two new mac 'n’ cheese dishes to complement its line-up of pizzas in the US. The first is an extremely cheesy number, featuring no less than five cheeses. It mixes American, Cheddar and Parmesan-Asiago, all finished off with an Alfredo sauce. If that’s not enough, there’s also the option to have spicy Buffalo sauce smothering your pasta and cheese for an extra kick.

It’s clearly not just fried chicken that KFC is famous for – fans absolutely love the chain’s gravy, too. The side dish is so adored that a copycat, make-at-home version has gone viral. In June 2022, a newly launched KFC in the UK sold 5,000 pots of gravy within its first eight hours of opening. The signature side is said to be made from gravy powder, water and a ‘secret' ingredient: the umami-rich crackling leftover from deep frying all those chicken pieces.

Wendy’s takes its bestselling fries seriously; a 2021 revamp saw the introduction of a new battering system in a bid to ensure that the natural-cut, skin-on, sea salt–scattered fries are served ‘hot and crispy’ every time. So confident is the chain of this, it even offers a money back guarantee if your fries aren’t up to standard. For a more indulgent take on the original, Baconator Fries – which come topped with warm cheese sauce and crispy Applewood smoked bacon – are the way to go.

Comprising half fries and half onion rings in one tasty package, Burger King first released Fries n' Rings at its Florida branches in early 2023, before making them a permanent menu item across the US in October that year (albeit with a new name). A play on its slogan, ‘Have It Your Way’, and the term ‘halvsies’ (usually referring to sharing), Have-sies have proven to be quite the hit. Surely it’s only a matter of time before they become a permanent item on BK menus across the world?

Looking for a side that at least feels a little healthier, even if it’s probably not? The tempura-battered green beans at Habit Burger are a hit with customers, offering a fantastic alternative (or additional) side with a beautifully juicy burger. The light, crisp beans taste wonderfully fresh and come with a side of ranch for dipping. If you can’t choose between green beans and fries, there’s no need – get a half-and-half order for the best of both worlds.

Despite not having any permanent locations outside of the US (and being part of the ‘secret’ menu), In-N-Out Burger’s Animal Style fries are renowned all over the globe. Those lucky enough to be able to order from the original source lap up the hand-cut fries, which come topped with grilled onions, signature spread, melted American cheese and pickles (if you ask for them). For the millions that can only dream of living close to an In-N-Out outlet, the internet is awash with suggestions for how to recreate the iconic dish at home. In-N-Out owner Lynsi Synder recently revealed that the term ‘animal style’ was inspired by some rowdy customers back in 1961.

When it comes to French fries, everyone knows McDonald’s is king. Well, most people do. A 2023 survey by customer analytics platform CivicScience saw the fries recognised as the most popular in the US, with around half of all respondents plumping for McDonald’s fries ahead of the offering at any other chain (Wendy’s came in second, but only garnered 15% of the vote). A staple since McDonald's launched in 1940, they're described by the company as 'fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside' – a winning combination, clearly.

Now discover the greatest fast food burgers of all time

Last updated by Laura Ellis.