20 Homemade State Fair Foods That Deserve a Blue Ribbon
Chow down on funnel cake, ice cream, and corn dogs.
Everyone knows the best part of any state fair is the food! Alex Drummond and her husband, Mauricio Scott, got a taste of that firsthand when they visited the Texas State Fair and sampled some of its most iconic eats. “I feel like a little kid,” Alex said—and it’s easy to see why! They dug into fried candy bars, corn dogs, and even fried seafood gumbo bites. Some fair foods are delightfully wacky, while others are simply delicious. Either way, they’re all part of the fun! Even if you can't make it to your own state's fair this year, there's still a way to get your fix of those popular fair foods right at home.
Naturally, there are plenty of fried foods to enjoy, from sweet snacks like deep-fried Oreos and homemade funnel cake to salty snacks such as fried pickles and corn fritters. There's even a twist on fried ice cream that will surprise both kids and adults alike! Speaking of treats, anyone with a sweet tooth will love the candied apples or a scoop of sweet corn ice cream. Craving something savory? Ree Drummond's roasted turkey legs are just like the kind you'd find in your own county. Luckily, "the parking's much better at your place," she says. 😂 Just don't forget to wash it all down with a frozen lemonade—there's a recipe for that one, too!
Jalapeño-Cheddar Corn Dogs
There’s nothing quite like biting into a crispy corn dog fresh from the fryer—especially when it’s loaded with cheese and a spicy kick! They’re perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce.
Get Ree’s Jalapeño-Cheddar Corn Dogs recipe.
Frozen Pink Lemonade
Sweet, tangy, and ice cold, this frozen pink lemonade is the kind of refreshing drink you’ll want to sip all season long. It’s wonderfully slushy and easy to make, with plenty of bright lemonade flavor in every glass.
Get Ree’s Frozen Pink Lemonade recipe.
Deep-Fried Oreos
Top prize for dessert goes to these warm and gooey treats! The classic chocolate sandwich cookies get dipped in a fluffy batter, fried until golden and crispy, then showered with plenty of powdered sugar.
Get Ree’s Deep-Fried Oreos recipe.
State Fair Grilled Corn on the Cob
Fire up the grill for this state fair-style corn on the cob! It’s slathered with melted butter and coated in a savory blend of spices for a smoky, flavorful finish.
Get Ree’s State Fair Grilled Corn on the Cob recipe.
Fried Fruit Pies
Sweet fruit filling and flaky pastry come together for this irresistible handheld dessert! Each one is fried until golden and crisp, then sprinkled with powdered sugar for the full fairground experience.
Get Ree’s Fried Fruit Pies recipe.
Homemade Corn Dogs
These hot dogs on a stick are coated in cornbread and fried until golden. You can dip them in classic condiments like ketchup or mustard, or go all out with Sriracha chili sauce, ranch dressing, or even queso!
Get the Homemade Corn Dogs recipe.
Funnel Cake
This crispy, sugar-dusted dessert is a must-have at any state fair! It's a simple buttermilk dough batter that's poured into a pot of oil using a funnel.
Get the Funnel Cake recipe.
Frozen Lemonade
Take your lemonade to the next level with this sweet-tart frozen drink. It's made with lemons, sugar, and vanilla ice cream, but you can add a splash of vodka if you want to turn it into a cocktail.
Get the Frozen Lemonade recipe.
Fried Pickles
Once you start snacking on these salty, tangy, fried bites, it's hard to stop! The popular state fair food gives everyone another reason to love pickles.
Get the Fried Pickles recipe.
Churros
Churros are beloved at many state fairs thanks to their crispy texture and cinnamon-sugar coating. They also happen to be delicious when dipped in melted chocolate, caramel sauce, or homemade whipped dolce de leche cream.
Get the Churros recipe.
Country-Style Ribs
Get a taste of this finger-licking Southern favorite made with sticky, smoky barbecue sauce. You don't need a smoker to make 'em—just let them bake until tender in the oven.
Get the Country-Style Ribs recipe.
Fried Ice Cream
It's hard to believe that something that can melt so quickly can actually be fried. Here's the secret: there's no hot oil required. Instead, the ice cream is rolled in crunchy cinnamon toasted rice cereal.
Get the Fried Ice Cream recipe.
Grilled BBQ Chicken Nachos
You can't go wrong with a platter of nachos! But if you really want to serve this up state fair-style, try piling the BBQ chicken nachos into individual trays so everyone gets their own.
Get Ree's Grilled BBQ Chicken Nachos recipe.
Flavored Popcorn
Kettle corn is a state fair mainstay, but you'll find popcorn of all kinds! They're both made from popped kernels, but they differ in preparation, flavor, and texture. This spicy variety has a real kick to it!
Get Ree's Spicy Sriracha Popcorn recipe.
Candied Apples
It's hard to resist the shiny coating and red hot cinnamon flavor of these candied apples. You can even wrap them up as a take-home gift after a day spent playing backyard games!
Get the Candied Apples recipe.
Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
Get creative with fried foods by making this crave-worthy snack! It all starts with homemade mac and cheese formed into little bites and finished with a crunchy potato chip coating.
Get the Fried Mac and Cheese Balls recipe.
Blueberry Lemonade
This fun twist on lemonade is a great way to wash down all that fried food! It's perfectly refreshing and a little bit sweet thanks to the fresh muddled blueberries.
Get Ree's Blueberry Lemonade recipe.
Corn Fritters
These fried dough balls are studded with sweet kernels, but you can even make them with frozen or even canned corn in a pinch. Just be sure to sprinkle them with powdered sugar for a surprising treat!
Get Ree's Corn Fritters recipe.
Roasted Turkey Legs
These big, meaty turkey legs are what Ree calls "caveman pops." They're made with a brown sugar brine and a flavorful chili-infused dry rub. Take Ree's advice and wrap the bottom in foil to make them easy to grab!
Get Ree's Roasted Turkey Legs recipe.
Sweet Corn Ice Cream
Corn-flavored ice cream? Just wait until you try it! It tastes just like a cornbread with a bit of honey. In fact, you can even drizzle it with caramel sauce for extra sweetness.
Get the Sweet Corn Ice Cream recipe.
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