19 Famous Fried Foods From State Fairs Around The Country
State fairs are where logic takes a vacation and cravings take the wheel. You stroll past the Ferris wheel, catch a whiff of hot oil and sugar, and suddenly you’re plotting your next bite.
Some creations are genius, others are chaotic, and most are unforgettable. Ready to taste your way through America’s most iconic fried legends?
1. Corn Dogs
The corn dog is pure fair-time nostalgia you can hold in one hand. A juicy hot dog gets dipped in a sweet cornmeal batter and fried until the shell turns deep gold.
You add ketchup, mustard, or both, and walk away happy.
The magic is the contrast between crispy coating and snappy sausage. It’s portable, satisfying, and impossible to eat without grinning.
If summer had a flavor, this might be it, salty, sweet, and warm.
2. Funnel Cake
Funnel cake smells like childhood and powdered sugar. Thin ribbons of batter are poured into hot oil, overlapping into a lacy web that turns crisp at the edges and tender inside.
A snowfall of sugar finishes the magic.
You pull pieces off with your fingers, letting sugar dust your shirt. It’s shareable, messy, and worth it every time.
Add strawberries, chocolate, or simply keep it classic and let the crunch do the talking.
3. Elephant Ears
Elephant ears are thin, plate sized sheets of fried dough that crunch and crackle. Butter kisses the surface before a heavy cinnamon sugar coat sticks to every bump and blister.
Each bite tastes like warmth, spice, and nostalgia.
They’re perfect for tearing and sharing while wandering the midway. Some stands add fruit, Nutella, or whipped cream piled high.
But the classic cinnamon sugar version hits hardest, sweet and simple.
4. Deep fried Oreos
Deep fried Oreos are the crowd pleaser that still surprises you. The cookie melts into a warm, cakey center while the batter puffs around it like a donut blanket.
A dusting of sugar makes them look snow kissed and irresistible.
You bite in and get creamy, chocolatey softness, barely held together. They’re rich, so a small order goes a long way.
Dip in chocolate or drizzle caramel if you dare.
5. Deep fried Twinkies
Deep fried Twinkies take an already indulgent snack and level it up. The sponge cake gets a delicate batter coat and a quick swim in hot oil.
It emerges crisp outside, tender inside, with the vanilla cream turning silky.
It eats like a warm dessert cloud with a hint of caramelized edges. A light sugar shower seals the deal.
It’s sweet upon sweet, best enjoyed fresh while still steaming.
6. Fried butter
Fried butter sounds like a dare, yet it delivers. Butter gets mixed into a sweet dough or batter, then fried until the outside crisps and the inside turns molten.
The first bite is warm, salty sweet, and wildly rich.
You need small bites, trust me. It’s a once per fair treat that somehow tastes like flaky pastry without the fuss.
A sprinkle of sugar or honey rounds it out beautifully.
7. Fried Kool Aid
Fried Kool Aid is carnival flavor turned into a snackable bite. The drink mix colors and perfumes a simple batter that fries into pink, sugar dusted nuggets.
They taste like cherry lemonade met a donut hole.
It’s pure fun, unapologetically sweet and bright. Order a small batch, pop them warm, and chase with ice water.
If your inner kid wants dessert first, this is the move.
8. Deep fried candy bars
Deep fried candy bars are chaos in the best way. Snickers, Milky Way, or whatever you love gets a tempura like coat and a hot oil bath.
The chocolate softens, caramel stretches, and nuts add crunch under the crisp shell.
They’re messy and worth every napkin. A quick sugar dust or chocolate drizzle makes them photo ready.
Share with friends because two bites are usually plenty.
9. Fried cheese curds
Fried cheese curds squeak before they melt, then stretch into glorious strings. A light, crisp coating gives way to salty dairy goodness in every poppable piece.
Ranch or marinara on the side makes the basket vanish fast.
They’re a Midwest fair legend for good reason. Perfect with lemonade or a cold beer if that’s your lane.
Grab extra napkins and dive in while they’re hot.
10. Fried pickles
Fried pickles bring tangy crunch to the party. Dill chips get dredged, fried, and served sizzling with ranch that cools the heat.
The contrast of briny snap and shattering crust is addictive.
You can go spears for bigger bites or chips for extra crisp edges. A sprinkle of extra dill and black pepper makes them sing.
They’re the snack you keep meaning to share, then don’t.
11. Fried green tomatoes
Fried green tomatoes are a Southern staple that fairs do right. Firm, tart slices hold up to a cornmeal crust that fries to perfect crunch.
A swipe of remoulade or comeback sauce adds creamy zing.
You get tang, salt, and texture in every forkful. They pair with sweet tea and live music drifting from the stage.
It’s comfort food with a sunny, tomato bright twist.
12. Fried chicken on a stick
Fried chicken on a stick is peak fair engineering. Juicy marinated pieces get skewered, breaded, and fried until crunchy and aromatic.
You walk, you snack, you keep your hands relatively clean.
Dip in honey, hot sauce, or both for sweet heat. The stick makes sharing simple, but you might not want to.
It’s everything you love about fried chicken without the bucket.
13. Fried alligator bites
Fried alligator bites show up at Southern fairs where gator is local. The meat is tender, slightly sweet, and often compared to chicken with a hint of seafood.
A seasoned batter adds paprika, garlic, and pepper warmth.
Dip in remoulade or spicy mayo and squeeze a little lemon. It’s adventurous without being too wild.
If you’re curious, this is the friendliest way to try gator.
14. Fried catfish
Fried catfish at the fair tastes like a fish fry with extra applause. Fillets get a cornmeal rub that fries into a sandy, crisp coating.
Inside, the flesh stays moist and flaky with mild sweetness.
Grab tartar sauce, hot sauce, and a squeeze of lemon. A side of fries and hush puppies turns it into a full plate.
You’ll find it across Southern and Midwest fairs for good reason.
15. Hush puppies
Hush puppies are little cornmeal wonders that crunch outside and stay tender within. They’re lightly sweet, often speckled with onion or jalapeno, and perfect with seafood baskets.
Dip in honey butter, remoulade, or plain salted butter.
You pop one, then another, and suddenly the basket is gone. They’re humble, comforting, and exactly what fair food should be.
Order extra if you’re sharing with hungry friends.
16. Fried jalapeno poppers
Fried jalapeno poppers deliver creamy heat wrapped in crunch. Fresh peppers get stuffed with cheese, sometimes bacon, then breaded and fried.
The result is a balanced bite of spice, richness, and texture.
Cool things down with ranch or sweet chili sauce. They’re a quick grab while you watch the livestock shows or fireworks.
If you like a little burn, these never disappoint.
17. Deep fried mac and cheese balls
Deep fried mac and cheese balls are comfort food compressed into bite size joy. Creamy mac gets chilled, shaped, breaded, and fried until the crust crackles.
Inside stays velvety, with pasta elbows suspended in cheesy sauce.
They’re filling, so start small and savor. A side of marinara or spicy aioli takes them over the top.
This is the snack you dream about after the fair ends.
18. Fried dough / zeppole style bites
Fried dough bites are the grab and go cousin of zeppole. Little nuggets puff up in hot oil, then tumble through powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar.
They’re easy to share, though you might not want to.
Each bite is warm, airy, and just sweet enough. Dip in chocolate or eat plain and chase with lemonade.
They’re the definition of one more handful.
19. Fried s’mores
Fried s’mores take campfire vibes to the midway. Marshmallow and chocolate get tucked inside dough or a graham wrapper, then fried until the outside crisps.
Break one open and the filling stretches like a sweet lava ribbon.
A sprinkle of graham crumbs seals the nostalgic flavor. It’s messy, cozy, and perfect to share under the ferris wheel lights.
Grab napkins and enjoy while it’s hot.
