Cookout sides are the french fries, hushpuppies, onion rings, nuggets, slaw, chili, wraps, and quesadillas that make up the two side slots on every Cook Out tray. With 15+ sides on the board, most costing under $3, your side picks decide whether your tray is a crispy classic, a lighter meal, or a full Southern feast.
The short version: Regular Fries ($2.39) and Hushpuppies ($1.99) are the most ordered sides, Onion Rings ($2.69) are the lightest fried option at 260 calories, and a Side of Chili ($3.98) at 164 calories is the leanest pick on the board. You can pick any two sides or double up on one, and most sides are tray-eligible.
Table of Contents
Cookout Sides at a Glance
- Number of sides: 15+ on the board
- Price range: $0.99 (slaw) to $3.98 (side of chili)
- Tray rule: pick any 2 sides or double up on one favorite
- Most popular: Regular Fries, Hushpuppies, Onion Rings, Chicken Nuggets
- Lightest pick: Side of Chili at 164 calories
- Best value: two sides are included in the ~$7.39 tray price
Cookout Fries: Every Style Compared
Fries are the default side at Cook Out, and the board gives you five ways to order them. Regular Fries are the classic: crispy, salted, and the side most regulars pick without thinking. Cajun Fries swap the salt for a spicy Cajun shake, and Cheese Fries and Chili Cheese Fries turn the side into a mini meal.
| Side | Price | Calories | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Fries | $2.39 | 350 | The classic tray side |
| Cajun Fries | $2.39 | 350 | Spicy kick, same calories |
| Cheese Fries | $2.89 | 390 | Extra richness |
| Chili Cheese Fries | $1.99 | 460 | Heartiest fry option |
| Large Fries | $2.99 | 700 | Sharing or big appetites |
The Large Fries at $2.99 is the best per-ounce value if you are ordering for two. Chili Cheese Fries look like the bargain at $1.99, but at 460 calories they are also the heaviest fry on the board. Prices may vary slightly by location.
Fried Snacks & Crunchy Sides
Beyond fries, Cook Out runs a deep bench of fried sides. Hushpuppies are the Southern signature: sweet cornmeal fritters, golden and crisp outside, soft inside. Onion Rings are battered and fried to order. Chicken Nuggets come in a 5-piece order. White Cheddar Cheese Bites and Fried Okra round out the Southern lineup, and the Cookout walking taco is a fun handheld side.
| Side | Price | Calories | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hushpuppies | $1.99 | ~590 | The Southern classic |
| Onion Rings | $2.69 | 260 | Lightest fried side |
| Chicken Nuggets (5 pc) | $1.99 | 240 | Protein with crunch |
| Corn Dog | $1.99 | Fair-food favorite | |
| White Cheddar Cheese Bites | $3.39 | 380 | Cheesy indulgence |
| Fried Okra | $2.39 | 280 | Southern-style crunch |
| Walking Taco | $2.39 | 370 | Taco flavor, no shell |
Onion Rings deserve a callout: at 260 calories they are lighter than the fries, which surprises most first-timers. The Chicken Nuggets at 240 calories for five pieces are the best protein-per-dollar side on the board. Hushpuppies are a must-try for newcomers, but at roughly 590 calories they are one of the heavier sides. All of them pair well with the right dipping sauces.
Lighter Sides: Slaw & Chili
Not every side comes from the fryer. A Side of Slaw is the cheapest item on the sides board at $0.99, and a Side of Chili is the lightest at 164 calories. Both work as tray sides when you want to cut calories without skipping the tray deal.
| Side | Price | Calories | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side of Chili | $3.98 | 164 | Lightest side on the board |
| Side of Slaw | $0.99 | 405 | Cheapest side, classic pairing |
The slaw is a Carolina barbecue tradition: creamy, slightly sweet, and the classic partner for chopped barbecue. Note that it is heavier than it looks at 405 calories a side. The chili is the sleeper pick: hearty, beefy, and the lowest-calorie side Cook Out sells. For plant-based eaters, see our guide to vegan-friendly sides.
Wraps & Quesadillas as Sides
Cook Out lets you order wraps and quesadillas as tray sides, which is unusual for fast food and a big part of the tray’s value. A Chicken Wrap or a Cheese Quesadilla as a side turns your tray into a two-course meal for the same ~$7.39 tray price.
| Side | Price | Calories | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Wraps | $1.99 | ~500–522 | Most filling side |
| Chicken Quesadilla | $1.99 | ~449 | Protein-heavy side |
| Cheese Quesadilla | $1.99 | ~355 | Vegetarian-friendly |
The Chicken Wrap is the heaviest side option at over 500 calories, so pair it with something lighter like slaw or chili. The Cheese Quesadilla is the only vegetarian side with real substance. Ask for quesadilla sauce on the side for dipping.
The Most Popular Cookout Sides, Ranked
Fan consensus across taste tests and regulars is clear. Here is how the sides stack up by popularity:
- Regular Fries the default, the benchmark, the side everything else is judged against.
- Hushpuppies the Southern signature; first-timers are told to order these.
- Onion Rings crispy, lighter than fries, and endlessly dippable.
- Chicken Nuggets the protein pick; great doubled up.
- Cajun Fries for regulars who want heat without changing the order.
- Slaw the barbecue purist’s side, especially with chopped BBQ.
Best Side Pairings for Your Tray
Two sides, one tray, endless combinations. These pairings cover every appetite:
| Pairing | Why it works | Approx. calories |
|---|---|---|
| Fries + Hushpuppies | The classic order: salty and sweet | ~940 |
| Onion Rings + Nuggets | Crunchy and lighter than fries | ~500 |
| Hushpuppies + Slaw | The Carolina plate | ~995 |
| Double Fries | Maximum fries, zero decisions | ~700 |
| Chili + Onion Rings | Hearty but balanced | ~424 |
| Chicken Wrap + Slaw | Two-course feel, lighter finish | ~905 |
| Nuggets + Nuggets | Protein double-up | ~480 |
Which Sides Come With the Tray
Almost every side on this page is tray-eligible: pick any two, or double up on one favorite, and they are included in the tray price of about $7.39. That makes the tray one of the best deals in fast food two $2.39 sides plus a main and a drink for one fixed price.
The smart move is to use your side slots for the pricier sides. A White Cheddar Cheese Bites ($3.39) or a Chicken Wrap ($1.99) as a tray side stretches your $7.39 further than two orders of slaw. If you are watching calories, Chili (164) plus Onion Rings (260) keeps both sides under 450 calories combined. Prices may vary slightly by location, and the menu board at your store has the final word on tray eligibility.
For the full value meal, see our Cookout tray.
For dog options, see our hot dogs.
For full menu pricing, see our Cookout prices.
How many sides does Cook Out have?
Cook Out serves 15+ sides, including five fry styles, hushpuppies, onion rings, chicken nuggets, corn dogs, cheese bites, fried okra, a walking taco, slaw, chili, chicken wraps, and chicken and cheese quesadillas.
Can you get two of the same side on a tray?
Yes. The tray lets you pick any two sides or double up on one favorite, so two orders of fries or hushpuppies is completely fine.
What is the cheapest Cook Out side?
A Side of Slaw at $0.99 is the cheapest side on the board, followed by most fried sides at $1.99.
What is the healthiest Cook Out side?
A Side of Chili at 164 calories is the lightest option, followed by Chicken Nuggets (240 for 5 pieces) and Onion Rings (260).
Are all Cook Out sides available on the tray?
Most sides are tray-eligible, including fries, hushpuppies, onion rings, nuggets, slaw, chili, wraps, and quesadillas. Check the menu board at your store, since eligibility can vary slightly by location.
What are the most popular Cook Out sides?
Regular Fries and Hushpuppies lead by a wide margin, followed by Onion Rings and Chicken Nuggets. Cajun Fries and Slaw round out the regulars’ favorites.
How much are Cook Out sides?
Most sides cost $1.99 to $2.69. Slaw is $0.99, Large Fries are $2.99, White Cheddar Cheese Bites are $3.39, and a Side of Chili is $3.98. Prices may vary slightly by location.