42 Best Carnival Food Ideas (State Fair Food)

For many people, the best part of a carnival is all the delicious food! Ever wondered how you can recreate some of your favorite state fair foods at home? From crispy onion rings and chicken tenders to decadently sweet desserts like cream puffs and fried s’mores, you’ll be instantly transported to the fair without having to leave your kitchen. Step right up to the ultimate roundup of Carnival Food Ideas!

What Foods Are at a Carnival?

There are some foods that you can always expect at a carnival. Corn dogs were invented at a state fair and continue to be a popular choice today. Other meaty carnival foods include giant turkey legs and crispy fried chicken tenders. When it comes to carnival desserts, you’ll often find funnel cakes, doughnuts and caramel apples.

What Is the Most Popular Carnival Food?

The corn dog may just be the most popular carnival food. This iconic recipe is said to have been invented at the Texas State Fair in the late 1930’s. Even today, this delicious and portable hotdog remains a fairground favorite across the country.

What Is the Best Fair Food?

Deep frying makes for the best fair food! Carnivals are well known for their delicious deep-fried food options. These dishes are full of flavor and that irresistibly crispy texture. At fairs, you can find fried chicken tenders, onion rings and even desserts like deep-fried cheesecake.

Popular Carnival Food

Funnel Cake Fries

These fries are just like regular funnel cakes, but they’re in a conveniently dippable fry shape. Enjoy with melted chocolate or strawberry sauce.

Kettle Corn

Kettle corn is old-fashioned sweet-and-salty popcorn that’s popular at state fairs and carnivals. Pop some for movie night or as a light snack.

Corn Dogs

These authentic carnival corn dogs are air fried, so they’re totally guilt free. With just a few sprays of oil, you’ll have deliciously crispy corn dogs.

Caramel Apples

Get in a fall mood any time of year with these tasty caramel apples. You’ll learn all the tips and techniques for perfectly coated apples every single time.

Pizza Pretzels

With just a few simple ingredients, you can make pizza pretzels just like the ones you’d get at a concession stand. They’re totally delicious and take just 30 minutes to make.

Snow Cones

Beat the summer heat with homemade snow cones! With a simple, four-ingredient syrup, they taste just like the ones at state fairs!

Barbecue Turkey Legs

These giant turkey legs are full of flavor and bring back memories of state fairs. Plus, they’re so much fun to grab and eat by hand.

Waffle Cheese Fries

Take crispy waffle-cut fries and load them up with chicken, beans, salsa and melted cheese for the ultimate snack.

Homemade Lemonade

What could be more refreshing than a cold glass of homemade lemonade? When you make it yourself, you get to make it as sweet or as tart as you like.

Loaded Nachos

Crispy tortilla chips are topped with a mountain of melted cheese, black beans, corn, tomatoes and jalapeños. Add your favorite protein such as ground beef or shredded chicken.

Deep Fried Oreos

Deep fried Oreos are the decadent treat you didn’t know you needed. Now you can enjoy this fairground favorite right at home.

Fried Ice Cream

Scoops of vanilla ice cream are coated in a crispy cookie crumb coating and quickly fried until golden. Add a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup for a delicious dessert.

Fried Pickles

Looking for something irresistible to snack on? You’ll love this crispy deep fried pickles, served with a homemade lemon pepper ranch sauce.

Cream Puffs

These light and airy pastries are filled with a rich vanilla cream and dusted with powdered sugar. You won’t believe how easy it is to make cream puffs at home.

Watermelon Slushies

Thirsty for a fruity and refreshing mocktail to keep you cool? Watermelon slushies are so easy to make and really hit the spot on a hot afternoon.

Mexican Street Corn

Also known as elotes, this is a popular dish served by food vendors in Mexico. Corn on the cob is sprinkled with spices and smothered in a tangy sauce and Cotija cheese.

Fried Mozzarella Sticks

These are the ultimate indulgent snack! They’re irresistibly crispy on the outside with gooey melted cheese in the middle.

Chili Dogs

For your next backyard barbecue, why not give these oven-baked chili dogs a try? It’s like a hot dog, but loaded with chili and cheese for more satisfaction.

Unique Carnival Food

Deep Fried Smores

These innovative sweet treats are always a hit at festivals and carnivals. Now you can enjoy the chocolate-marshmallow goodness of s’mores in a whole new way.

Chocolate Covered Bacon

This recipe combines two of the world’s most delicious foods. Ignore the calories and indulge in chocolate covered bacon!

Red, White and Blue Lemonade

This patriotic non-alcoholic concoction is so easy to make. By adding colorful berries to frozen lemonade, you’ll have a refreshing and unique summer beverage.

Fried Mac and Cheese Bites

You’ll never look at leftover mac and cheese the same again after trying this recipe. Fried Mac and cheese bites are

Fried Cookie Dough

Balls of chocolate chip cookie dough are dipped in batter and deep fried until they’re crispy. There’s no need to wait for the state fair to enjoy these sweet treats!

More Carnival Food Ideas

Deep Fried Cheesecake

This heavenly dessert has a crispy exterior and creamy cheesecake on the inside. Satisfy your sweet tooth in a whole new way with this Deep Fried Cheesecake recipe!

Walking Tacos

This concession stand staple is super convenient for the big game or a house party. All your favorite taco fixings are served in a Fritos bag for a portable and satisfying snack.

Onion Rings

If you love Burger King’s onion rings, get ready to recreate them at home! This copycat recipe makes it easy to make your own crispy and flavorful onion rings for the ultimate snack or appetizer.

Cornbread

A Southern classic that makes the perfect side for all your favorite meals. Discover how easy it is to make moist, buttery cornbread completely from scratch.

Fried Chicken Tenders

These chicken strips are super crispy and full of flavor! Serve these well-seasoned tenders with your favorite dipping sauce for a tasty snack.

Jelly Doughnuts (Jam Doughnuts)

Homemade jelly doughnuts are so much better than the ones you pick up at the store. You wouldn’t believe how easy it is to bake these fluffy pastries, filled with strawberry jam.

Caramel Corn

This carnival snack is crunchy, sweet and so addictive! Pop a bowl of caramel corn for your next party or movie night.

Apple Pies (Apple Turnovers)

All it takes is five ingredients to create these delicious, bakery-worthy pastries. Flaky puff pastry is filled with a real apple filling

Chocolate Covered Bananas

Here are six delicious ways to enjoy chocolate-covered bananas! This recipe makes a fun after-school project for kids or an irresistibly simple snack.

Corn Fritters

These additive snacks come out perfectly every single time. You’re sure to love this simple recipe for crispy, seasoned corn fritters.

Chili Cheese Fries

Crispy fries are loaded with slightly-spicy beef chili and melted cheddar cheese for this sports bar favorite. Try them out the next time you get the munchies.

Italian Sausage Hoagies

Chunks of Italian sausage are simmered with diced tomatoes, garlic and Italian seasonings, then loaded onto a toasted hoagie bun. Who says you can’t make street food at home?

Fried Green Tomatoes

This traditional Southern side dish has a crispy exterior, but is tender and flavorful in the middle. There’s no better way to use up your green tomatoes.

Apple Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Make it a twofer with this mouthwatering dessert combo. Just imagine your favorite ice cream, sandwiched between two apple cinnamon tortillas.

Apple Cider Doughnuts

These sugary, spicy treats are often associated with autumn, but can be enjoyed whenever you get the craving. In less than an hour, you’ll have a fresh match of warm, homemade apple cider doughnuts.

Churros

This traditional Spanish dessert features crispy deep-fried dough sprinkled with brown sugar. Dip in melted chocolate or Nutella for an irresistible

Butterscotch Fudge

You’re only three ingredients away from having the best homemade butterscotch fudge. These creamy bites are sure to satisfy all your sugary cravings.

Cotton Candy

Feel the nostalgia with this childhood fairground favorite. You won’t believe how simple it is to make your own cotton candy at home!