Popeyes Launches New Cheese Bites: Price & Review
Popeyes has launched Cheese Bites as a new side item for summer 2026. The Cheese Bites are bite-sized fried cheese pieces, seasoned with Popeyes signature Cajun spices, and served with marinara dipping sauce.
Price: $3.99 per order (approx. 8 pieces). Popeyes' September 2026 allergen guide lists Cheese Bites as a limited-time item that contains milk, wheat and egg and is cooked in a shared fryer. Its nutrition guide for the same month does not give calories for them. Available at participating locations nationwide.
Check the full Popeyes menu with prices for all sides and the Chicken Sandwich.
What Are Popeyes Cheese Bites
Cheese Bites are a new summer 2026 side: bite-sized fried cheese pieces seasoned with Popeyes' signature Cajun spices and served with marinara dipping sauce. They slot into the sides section of the menu: a shareable, appetizer-style option alongside the chain's Southern classics like Red Beans and Rice and Mashed Potatoes with Gravy. Like most new Popeyes items, they're available at participating locations nationwide for a limited run.
Price & How They Compare to Other Popeyes Sides
At $3.99 per order (about 8 pieces), Cheese Bites sit at the top of the sides price range. For comparison, on the current Popeyes menu: Cajun Fries (Regular) are $2.49 (270 calories), Mashed Potatoes with Gravy are $2.99 (110 calories), Red Beans and Rice are $2.99 (260 calories), Coleslaw is $2.49 (160 calories), Mac & Cheese is $3.49 (280 calories), and the iconic Biscuits (2-pack) are $1.99 (460 calories).
How to Order Them With Your Meal
Cheese Bites work as a side in a combo or standalone. If you're ordering the main event, the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich is $4.99 (700 calories) and the Spicy version $4.99 (700 calories), with the Chicken Sandwich Combo at $7.99: Cheese Bites can be swapped in where sides are offered at participating locations. Popeyes Rewards members earn points on every purchase, with 150 points unlocking a free side or biscuit and 300 points a free Chicken Sandwich, so a Cheese Bites order moves you closer to a free side either way.
Nutrition Context & Lighter Alternatives
Popeyes has not published calories for Cheese Bites. Among the sides it does list, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy (110 calories) and Coleslaw (160 calories) are two of the lightest in the regular size. If you're watching calories, the 3-piece Blackened Tenders are 170 calories, against 390 for the 3-piece Classic Tenders ($4.49). As with any new limited-time item, prices and availability can vary by location: Popeyes menu prices are up about 3.9% versus 2025.
The Bottom Line
Popeyes Cheese Bites are a solid new side at $3.99 for about 8 pieces, reasonably priced next to Mac & Cheese and Cajun Fries, with the chain's signature Cajun seasoning plus marinara for dipping. Pair them with the $4.99 Chicken Sandwich, or use Popeyes Rewards to work toward a free side. Availability is limited to participating locations for summer 2026, so check the full Popeyes menu with prices before you go.