Biscuits (Photo by P Maxwell Photography on Shutterstock)
Step aside fries, there’s a new king (or queen) in town vying for the throne of your Popeyes order! Forget the usual suspects – those limp nuggets of beige offering nothing but textural monotony. Today, we delve into the bold, the beautiful, the downright delicious world of Popeyes sides: a symphony of flavors ready to steal the spotlight from even the juiciest, crispiest piece of Popeyes chicken. After canvassing many foodie websites, a consensus emerged, and we have put together a list of the top five best Popeyes sides as rated by the experts. While these are the popular choices from our research, we’d love to hear what Popeye’s side you like and which ones you don’t in the comments below.
StudyFinds is a research-driven platform that analyzes and synthesizes expert recommendations from trusted sources. Rather than writing reviews ourselves, we meticulously compile consensus findings from leading industry experts and established publications to save consumers valuable research time. Each article represents hours of analysis across multiple authoritative sources to identify the most consistently recommended choices.
Popeyes Menu: Best Sides To Order
1. Biscuits
You can’t visit Popeyes without indulging in their iconic biscuits. Every list we’ve checked places these biscuits at the pinnacle. Timeout raves about how these little wonders are both tender and flaky, with just the right amount of crumble. It’s enough to make your mouth water just thinking about them! And the best part? You can’t go wrong whether you’re munching on them plain or getting creative with your own chicken sandwich concoction.
Now, if you’re wondering how versatile these biscuits really are, Shopfood has some ideas for you. They say these warm, flaky buttermilk delights are the perfect sidekick to any Popeyes meal. But why stop there? Get adventurous and try dipping them in some Cajun gravy, or if you’ve got a sweet tooth, pair them with some Honey Sauce. You could even use them to transform your chicken tenders into a next-level sandwich!
But let’s talk about what makes these biscuits so special. According to 8 Minute Fitness, it’s all about that perfect balance – crispy on the outside, yet wonderfully soft on the inside. They’re like the ideal supporting actor to any main dish, but they truly shine when you dip them into Popeyes’ creamy mashed potatoes. And if you’re counting calories or carbs, they’ve got you covered with the specifics: each biscuit packs 20 grams of carbs and 210 calories. But let’s be real, with something this delicious, who’s really counting?
2. Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
For many, mashed potatoes evoke memories of family gatherings, holidays, and other special occasions. You’ll create wonderful new memories with each bite of these mashed potatoes. Cheapism is all about these creamy spuds, especially when they’re decked out in that Cajun gravy. They’re so good, apparently, that other fried chicken joints might as well throw in the towel. It’s all about that buttery, peppery goodness that just hits different.
As far as texture goes, Dwell by Michelle is swooning over how smooth and creamy these potatoes are. But it’s not just about the spuds – that gravy is the real MVP here, bringing a richness that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance. Whether you’re pairing it with your favorite Popeyes main or just diving in spoon-first, these mashed potatoes are a crowd-pleaser.
Mashed potatoes and chicken are a match made in comfort food heaven. Popeyes isn’t just serving up any old mashed potatoes – they’re going all out by drowning them in that Cajun gravy. It’s like they took a classic and cranked the flavor up to eleven. So next time you’re at Popeyes, don’t sleep on this side – your taste buds will thank you (8 Minute Fitness).
3. Cajun Fries
Cajun fries are a menu item that you can’t get from just any drive-thru. Shopfood nails it when they say a southern fast food joint just wouldn’t be complete without some spicy fries. These bad boys are zesty, flavorful, and seasoned to perfection. They’re like the ultimate wingman for any Popeyes entrée you choose.
Mashed is taking it a step further. They’re so head over heels for these fries that they’d pick them over any other, any day of the week. It’s like they’re waving goodbye to plain old boring fries and embracing the Louisiana flavor revolution. Who knew potatoes could be this exciting?
But here’s a pro tip from Dwell by Michelle: if you want to level up your fry game even more, ask for a fresh batch. You’ll get them hot off the fryer, all crispy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside. They blow regular potato fries out of the water. It’s enough to make you wonder why all fries aren’t this good!
4. Homestyle Mac and Cheese
Let’s talk about Popeyes’ Homestyle Mac & Cheese because it’s not your average fast food side. Shopfood raves about how it tastes like it just came out of grandma’s oven. They’re calling it one of the best fast food mac and cheese options out there. Apparently, Popeyes took a classic favorite and kicked it up a notch with natural ingredients and a little TLC.
What makes this mac so delicious? Cheapism says it’s thick, it’s cheesy, and there’s not a hint of that fake cheese sauce nonsense. They say it’s the epitome of what soulful, Southern mac and cheese should be. It’s enough to make you want to hop in the car and head to Popeyes right now.
Picture this: creamy, cheesy macaroni that’s the perfect sidekick to your chicken tenders or that spicy chicken sandwich you can’t resist. It’s a blend of cheddar cheeses, mixed with perfectly cooked macaroni and real butter. Dwell by Michelle‘s verdict? It’s rich, indulgent, and the ultimate comfort food. Sounds like the kind of side that could easily become the main event!
5. Red Beans and Rice
This side had its fair share of admirers, but it wasn’t a top favorite. Therefore, it rounds out our top five list. Cheapism says that red beans and rice are in a league of their own when it comes to fast food sides. And at Popeyes, expect next-level umami – we’re talking smoky red beans, Cajun rice, and a flavor combo that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance. Get this: they claim it’s even better than what you’d find in some New Orleans restaurants. Their verdict? You’d be crazy to leave Popeyes without it.
Now, Dwell by Michelle is singing its praises, too. She’s all about how this hearty side is the perfect dance partner for Popeyes’ famous fried chicken. And she’s impressed—it’s not easy for a fast food joint to nail such an iconic Louisiana dish, but Popeyes is bringing its A-game.
ShopFood loves how uncomplicated yet delicious this dish is. In their book, it’s the ideal companion for those chicken nuggets or tenders you’re inevitably ordering. It’s like they’ve cracked the code on the perfect fast food meal combo. So next time you’re at Popeyes, maybe give those fries a break and dive into this New Orleans-inspired side instead!
Sources used to create our list:
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.
