Have you ever been to your local town, county, or state fair? If not, then you’re not only missing out on a ton of fun, but also a whole bunch of fantastic foods. Of course, most fair foods are deep-fried or otherwise unhealthy, so dieters beware. However, even the most disciplined calorie counters deserve a cheat meal, and we highly recommend using it on one of our 25 favorite fair foods of all time. If you can’t make it to a nearby event or even a traveling carnival, we also included a few recipes to keep things festive in your own kitchen!
1 of 25
Blooming Onion
Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images
Also known by the names “onion bloom,” “onion flower,” and “onion blossom,” this aesthetically pleasing snack celebrates the best way to eat an onion: deep-fried. And, with all the pieces sticking up separately, it’s perfect for sharing (if you must). Think of it like eating at Outback, except outside.
Want to make one at home?Try this recipe from The Food Network.
2 of 25
Boiled Peanuts
EyesWideOpen/Getty Images
Boiled peanuts may sound gross, but… ah, who are we kidding? They’re totally weird, and we almost guarantee you won’t like them on your first try - especially if you’re used to the crunchy kind. But as most Southerners will tell you, it’s an acquired taste, and once you start enjoying boiled peanuts, you’ll never go back to regular ones again.
3 of 25
Caramel & Candy Apples
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Like regular apples, caramel and candy apples seem to have a season that runs from the late spring to the late fall. We can’t really explain it, since apples are usually available year-round, but we suppose absence makes the heart grow fonder. In addition to the regular caramel – and candy-dipped varieties, there are also versions covered in nuts or drizzled with chocolate and/or white chocolate. Since these apple treats tend to go missing in the winter months, stash awaythis Food Network recipe from Giada De Laurentiisfor when the weather gets cold.
4 of 25
Cheese Curds
Steve Pope/Getty Images
Our friends in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the rest of the Midwest know cheese curds (sometimes called “squeaky cheese”) are a year-round snack. For the rest of us, we have to settle for only experiencing them as fair food. If you’ve never tried fried cheese curds, they’re kind of like bite-sized mozzarella sticks, except made with cheddar instead of the mozz.
5 of 25
Cheesesteak
Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Like cheese curds in the Midwest, cheesesteaks are a staple in the greater Philadelphia area. But if you don’t live in the land of Benjamin Franklin, “It’s Always Sunny,” and the so-called meanest sports fans in America, head down to your state or county fair to try sliced steak topped with peppers and onions and covered in ooey-gooey cheese.
Did you know you can make your own cheesesteaks at home in your slow cooker? Check outthis recipe from The Cooking Momfor all the info.
6 of 25
Churros
Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images
Churros are a choux-based, sugar-covered pastry popular in Spain, Portugal, France, and the Southwestern United States. They make for perfect fair food because they are long, thin, and sturdy, so you can easily eat them one-handed while checking out rides or playing carnival games (just don’t bring them onto the actual ride). If you have the opportunity to get a dipping sauce – such as chocolate or dulce de leche – you’d be a deep-fried fool to pass it up.
7 of 25
Corn Dog
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Corn dogs aren’t just the quintessential fair food, they’re also the ultimate summer food. That’s because similar to churros, they’re easy to eat one-handed and are a lot less messy than their regular hot dog counterparts. Oh, and if you haven’t discovered this next fact yet: they go great with an ice-cold beer.
For a unique (and slightly healthier) spin on the classic corn dog,try this no-fry bite-sized version at home, courtesy of AllRecipes.
8 of 25
Cotton Candy
Donovan Reese Photography/Getty Images
You gotta believe the inventor of cotton candy once said to himself, “I like candy, but I wish there was a way to cut out all of the non-sugar ingredients.” Well, they succeeded, as The New York Times once stated that the treat “is almost 99.999 percent sugar, with dashes of flavoring and food coloring.”
In case you were wondering, machine-spun cotton candy was actually invented back in 1897 by dentist William Morrison and confectioner John C. Wharton, who debuted it at the 1904 World's Fair as “Fairy Floss.” Morrison’s fellow dentists have been thanking him ever since.
9 of 25
Curly Fries
Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Why is it that the French fries available at fairs and carnivals are almost always of the curly variety? If you ask us (and few people do), it’s because curly fries are the silliest and most fun type of fry available – which makes them perfect for outdoor events. Of course, they’re even more fun when topped with chili, cheese, or both, so be sure to go all out if given the option.
10 of 25
Deep-Fried Butter
Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images
We can’t say that deep-fried butter is one of our favorite fair foods taste-wise, but more so because it is the epitome of foods served at these festivals. After all, one of the most unhealthy foods is butter, and one of the most unhealthy ways to prepare food is deep-frying it. After digging into this dish, you might want to take a few taps around the fairgrounds.
Can’t make it to the fair? Try this artery-clogging treat at home withthis Food Network recipecourtesy of – you guessed it – Paula Deen.
11 of 25
Deep-Fried Oreos
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
People have been tossing foods into the deep-fryer for as long as the appliance has existed, but some treats – candy bars, pizza, and the aforementioned butter – take it a bit too far. We can honestly say, however, that deep-fried Oreos are the real deal. The chocolate cookies perfectly fuse with the fried exterior, and the creamy interior becomes hot, sweet, and even more heavenly than you can possibly imagine. Don’t buy just one, or else you’ll end up getting back in line for seconds. Or thirds.
12 of 25
Fried Dough / Fry Dough / Fried Bread / Frybread / Elephant Ear / Beaver Tail
Cyrus McCrimmon/The Denver Post via Getty Images
It goes by a lot of names, but the idea is still the same: deep-fried bread covered in powdered sugar. Fried dough is a fair food staple, and it’s so popular that comedian Jim Gaffigan even hasan entire bitabout it. Just take our advice, and don’t breathe in while taking a bite – you’ll end up choking and probably losing the rest of the sugar coating.
13 of 25
Fried Pickles
Gabe Souza/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images
There are two places you can always find fried pickles: at fairs and on our plates at any restaurant that serves them. (But this is coming from the people who will eat plain ol’ pickles straight out of the jar.) As experts on the topic (and not much else), please heed the following warning: Only order the fried pickles if they are in bite-sized chip form. We love pickle spears, but if the breading isn’t perfectly crunchy, the first bite will end up ripping off the entire fried coating and you’ll be left holding just the pickle.
If you’re watching your weight (slightly), trythis oven-baked panko versionfrom Food.com instead!
14 of 25
Frozen Bananas
Araya Diaz/Getty Images
As they said repeatedly on the sitcom “Arrested Development”: “There’s always money in the banana stand.” Of course, this was because there was literally $250,000 in cash lining the walls of the Bluth’s Original Frozen Banana hut, but this dessert really is the perfect treat. You can satisfy your sweet tooth with chocolate, quell your salty cravings with chopped nuts, and pretend you’re eating healthy with the banana.
Can’t wait until your next visit to the fair? Epicurious has you covered withthis recipe for frozen chocolate bananas.
15 of 25
Funnel Cake
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
What’s the difference between fried dough and funnel cakes? Fried dough is usually one large piece of dough that has been flattened, while funnel cakes tend to have a unique shape and texture made up of intertwined squiggly lines created by the dough coming out of a funnel. In the end, however, they’re both fried and covered with sugar, so you really can’t go wrong with either one.
Have an electric skillet or deep-fryer? Then you can make funnel cakes at home withthis recipe from Taste of Home.
16 of 25
Hamburger on donuts
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Burgers. Do they need an explanation or justification? Of course not. Just enjoy the char-broiled goodness... especially if it’s topped with cheese and bacon and is served on a glazed donut.
17 of 25
Hot Dogs
Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
If corn dogs are the ultimate fair and summer foods, then hot dogs automatically get in by association. Plus, fairs are known for spicing up the original version by wrapping the dog in bacon, covering it in chili and cheese, making it a foot long, and/or deep-frying the whole thing. When it comes to dogs, go big or go home. (Literally, since you’re at the fair.)
Or don’t go out at all and make these chili cheese dogs at home in your slow cooker, thanks tothis four-ingredient recipe from Mrs. Happy Homemaker.
18 of 25
Hush Puppies
Scott Suchman/For the Washington Post
You’ll definitely find hush puppies at your local fair if you live in the Southern states or anywhere seafood is popular and abundant. This is not only true because the fried cornmeal balls make the perfect side dish for surf and turf alike, but because some versions, likethis one from When Harry Met Salad, actually contain fish or scallops.
19 of 25
Ice Cream
Bruce Bisping/Star Tribune via Getty Images
Hot days call for cool treats, and nothing can chill someone out better than an ice cream cone or sundae. Oh, and if you think ice cream is one of the only things on this list that can’t be deep-fried... think again!Instructables will tell you how to do it at home here.
20 of 25
Nachos
Scott Olson/Getty Images
In our opinion, nachos are one of the trickiest fair foods to eat on the go, mainly because they usually require a stationary table (or lap) and about 10,000 napkins. Then again, it depends on how you define “nachos.” If it’s just cheese slathered on some chips, you’ll probably be fine. Unsatisfied, but fine. Instead, go wild with some jalapenos, bacon, and tomatoes, or salsa. Your taste buds will thank you, even if your cheese-stained clothes don’t.
21 of 25
Popcorn
EyesWideOpen/Getty Images
We usually think of popcorn as a movie food, yet that doesn’t stop plenty of fair-goers from digging into buckets of the stuff at every event. Plus, when the popcorn is topped with cheese or caramel or both (don’t knock it until you try it), it’s suddenly a lot more appealing.
Want to make crunchy, buttery caramel corn yourself?Head on over to Chowhound.
22 of 25
Ribbon Fries
Robert Alexander/Getty Images
In case you didn’t know, ribbon fries are like what would happen if curly fries and chips had a food baby. They’re not too thick but not too crunchy, and come out looking like something Willy Wonka would make if he was manning the fryer. (Except without the Oompa Loompas.)
23 of 25
Sausage
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Sausages of various types are served multiple ways at fairs, but our favorite is still the spicy Italian-style with peppers and onions on a sub roll. The snap of the sausage goes perfectly with the crunch of the peppers and onions, and it’s all well contained in a soft, fluffy, hopefully, fresh-baked bun.
Have a skillet?Try making this dish at home, thanks to All Recipes.
24 of 25
Turkey Legs
Jeff Gritchen/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images
You’re probably more likely to see turkey legs (especially the comically large ones) at Renaissances fairs rather than state or county ones, but all is fair when it comes to fairs. This might be the messiest meal in the slideshow, mainly because the best way to eat a moist, crispy turkey leg is to bite it like a barbarian that doesn’t care when the juices drip all over the place. Try to enjoy both the meat and the looks you’ll get while consuming it.
25 of 25
Zeppole
Peter Power/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Pronounced “ZEP-o-lee,” this Italian dessert is perfect for fairs because the little balls of fried dough are a cinch to eat on the go, they’re sharable, and, of course, there’s the whole fried aspect. Traditionally, zeppole are eaten in Italy on St. Joseph’s Day (and is often called “St. Joseph's Day cake”), but there’s really no wrong time to consume this classic confectionery.
If your fair lacks Italian flair, try making zeppole at home withthis Food Republic recipe.
