Riding high on the Ferris wheel, winning stuffed prizes along the midway, visiting livestock up close and personal, catching a death-defying show… it’s safe to say that come summertime, we’re VERY into our hometown state/county fair. The absolute best part? The FOOD. There’s something particularly wild about the deep-fried, sticky sweet snacks on offer at a carnival or state fair—it’s not the kind of stuff we usually reach for, but somehow when we're there, it’s exactly what we want. Though you may not be able to get to a carnival year-round, you CAN enjoy the most famous carnival foods from the comfort of your own kitchen. Take a ride through our list of 35 state fair recipes for inspiration!
When we dream of our favorite carnival foods, what first comes to mind is EVERYTHING deep-fried. While we’ll of course forever be happy with the classics like French fries (the secret is double frying them!), corn dogs, or fried chicken, we’re extra partial to the things we can only get at the fair, like deep-fried Oreos or funnel cake. We’re not always willing to get a pot of hot oil going for just anything, but for things like churros or zeppole, we think it’s worth it.
If you disagree (or just don’t have a deep enough pot for frying!), try one of our deep-fried dupes, like cornflake-crusted “fried” ice cream or air-fried or oven-fried pickles (we swear, even pickle haters are into them!). There's also always all the sticky sweet options at the carnival. Caramel corn, candy apples, and popcorn balls are classic, and surprisingly easy to make at home (though you do have to have some patience).
Craving something savory? One of our favorite things about the fair is getting to try different foods from around the world, like our Canadian poutine, our Mexican street corn, our Japanese yakitori, and our Italian sausage, peppers & onions. Whether you're looking to be transported to another country or just to the midway, they're sure to hit the spot.
Deep-Fried Oreos
Ahh, the classic deep-fried Oreo. It's a state-fair favorite that's worth every single calorie. Now, you can make them right at home with those lingering Oreos you have (IF that ever happens). It's the perfect treat for any occasion!
Get the Deep-Fried Oreos recipe.
Caramel Popcorn
Making from-scratch caramel corn couldn't be easier, but don't be hesitated to rush it—baking at a low temperature for about an hour is key to caramel corn with that irresistible crunch. Want something a little less sweet? Try our kettle corn next.
Get the Caramel Popcorn recipe.
Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
Elote (AKA Mexican street corn) is an unbelievably popular antojito—little craving or street food—that pops up at fairs all over the U.S. In our recipe, grilled corn is covered in a creamy mayo and Mexican crema mixture before being topped with chili powder, cotija cheese, and plenty of lime juice.
Get the Elote (Mexican Street Corn) recipe.
Funnel Cake
No need to wait for the carnival to come to town to enjoy this tasty treat. We were shocked at just how easily these came together and taste like they came right from your favorite fair vendor. Try our Flamin' Hot Cheetos funnel cake next!
Get the Funnel Cake recipe.
Fried Pickles
Crispy on the outside yet juicy in the middle, fried pickles hold a special place in our hearts and are always one of our first stops at the fair.
Get the Fried Pickles recipe.
Korean Corn Dogs
With toppings like fries, puffed rice, and crushed ramen, and with a finishing sprinkling of sugar, South Korean corn dogs have become one of the most popular street foods and fair foods in the world.
Get the Korean Corn Dogs recipe.
Sausage, Peppers & Onions
The combination of sausage, peppers, and onions is an Italian American classic. Often served on a sub or in a bun at the fair, this dish is also excellent just eaten out of a bowl.
Get the Sausage, Peppers & Onions recipe.
Corn Fritters
Fluffy and crispy, corn fritters are our new favorite Southern-fried side (sorry, hush puppies).
Get the Corn Fritters recipe.
"Fried" Ice Cream
Frying ice cream just sounds stressful to us, so we've given instructions for the real deal and our favorite cheat way, shown here. We coat ice cream in buttery, crunchy corn flakes that gets toasted separately so they taste fried without the drama.
Get the "Fried" Ice Cream recipe.
Loaded Fries
You could just have normal, plain old fries at the fair. But when there's LOADED fries, why would you? No carnival near you? No problem—they're easy to make at home too.
Get the Loaded Fries recipe.
Hot Fried Pickle Spirals
The state fair does some crazy things in a fryer, but this might be our favorite yet. Dill pickles covered in crunchy chips, fried until crispy, and doused in hot sauce and ranch. For a pickle lover, it just doesn't get any better.
Get the Hot Fried Pickle Spirals recipe.
Caramel Apples
Not only are caramel apples easy to make (we use store-bought caramels, though you could make your own!), they're also super-fun to personalize with nuts, chocolate, or whatever you'd like. Follow our easy step-by-step instructions here, and you'll be biting into a gooey tart treat in no time.
Get the Caramel Apples recipe.
Yakitori
Most yakitori (or Japanese grilled chicken skewers) stands will offer two options: salt (shio) or yakitori sauce (tare). Tare is made of just four ingredients: soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. It slightly resembles teriyaki sauce with both sweet and salty elements.
Get the Yakitori recipe.
Fried Chicken
We went through 5 whole chickens, 3 gallons of peanut oil, and over 20 iterations of the recipe so that you won't have to. The final result? The only fried chicken recipe you'll ever need again.
Get the Fried Chicken recipe.
Utah Scones
No one really knows why this fry bread is called a scone in Utah, but what we do know is that it's DELICIOUS, especially piled with butter, honey, and powdered sugar (kind of like funnel cake!).
Get the Utah Scones recipe.
Kettle Corn
Kettle corn is popcorn that is cooked or mixed with sugar and salt. The combination makes for an delicious sweet snack that’s perfect for movie night, an afternoon sugar craving, or on the snack table at your next picnic or BBQ.
Get the Kettle Corn recipe.
Classic Corn Dogs
No one can deny the crispy, slightly sweet, perfectly fried lure of a corn dog. Surprisingly, they're easy to make at home. The batter fries up quickly and super crispy. These will transport you right back to being a kid at the local state fair.
Get the Perfect Corn Dogs recipe.
Carne Asada Fries
These loaded Tex-Mex fries are great for sharing—just don't forget extra napkins!
Get the Carne Asada Fries recipe.
Bacon Pickle Pizza
If you're a fan of all the weird pizza toppings (anchovies? pineapple?) you can find at the fair, this is the pie for you. We went with dill, but feel free to get even wilder with it.
Get the Bacon Pickle Pizza recipe.
Apple Cider Donuts
If your local state fair happens in the fall, one of the best reasons to go is these cinnamon sugar-covered delights. Our top tip for making them at home? Boil down your apple cider to concentrate the flavor.
Get the Apple Cider Donuts recipe.
Camille Lowder is the digital food producer at Delish, otherwise known as our resident queen of recipe galleries. Previously, she attended the Natural Gourmet Institute for culinary school and worked at/managed a number of New York restaurants. She loves anything vegan, foods masquerading as other foods (hello, cauliflower), and a well-used Oxford comma.