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  3. 26 Iconic State Fair Food Recipes To Make at Home

26 Iconic State Fair Food Recipes To Make at Home

Kaitlyn Yarborough, Assistant Editor and Writer for Southern Living
By Kaitlyn Yarborough Updated July 28, 2022
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Homemade Funnel Cakes
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Let's be real—Southerners don't go to the state fair, or even the county fair, just to win a stuffed monkey at the ring toss or get seasick on the Tilt-A-Whirl. We go for the iconic fair foods, all gloriously deep-fried and full of flavor, whether a sweet dessert (hello, fried Oreos), a salty snack (say no more, fried macaroni and cheese), or something else entirely. Dill pickle chips, green tomatoes, and apple cider doughnuts get the excitement going way more than any amusement ride. 

While you might not always be in the radius to hit the once-a-year state fair—though, the legendary State Fair of Texas with its annual competition for most bizarre fried foods is a bucket-list item in itself—you can easily recreate the same dishes at home. We're stocked with plenty of delicious renditions of all of the deep-fried state fair foods of our childhood, as well as a few special standouts that go beyond the fryer. Think old-school cherry cola slushies, Texas frito pie in the bag, and classic candy apples. 

Here are some deliciously deep-fried and beyond recipes that copy your favorite fair foods right in your kitchen. 

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Fried Pickle Chips

Fried Pickle Chips
Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Fried Pickle Chips

Typically dipped in a comeback sauce of sorts, fried pickles are a Southern delicacy you'll see at bustling state fairs and beachside seafood shacks alike.

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Homemade Corn Dogs

Homemade Corn Dogs
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Homemade Corn Dogs

Yep, we're bringing this all-time favorite to your kitchen—and you'll be so glad you made the deep-fried hot dogs on a stick with homemade comeback sauce. They're to-die-for. 

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Apple Cider Doughnuts

Apple Cider Doughnuts
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Apple Cider Doughnuts

Most state fairs take place in autumn, which means apple treats as far as the eye can see—and nose can smell. This classic apple cider doughnuts are deliciously coated in cinnamon sugar.

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Fried Deviled Eggs

Fried Deviled Eggs
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Fried Deviled Eggs

The motto of any state fair: When in doubt, deep-fry it. These fried deviled eggs are a delicacy you never knew you needed. 

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Golden Corn Fritters

Golden Corn Fritters
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Golden Corn Fritters

Nothing sets off a twinkle in a Southerner's eye like a crispy, golden corn fritter fresh out of the fryer. This recipe is sheer crunchy perfection.

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Homemade Candy Apple

Homemade Candy Apple
Credit: Micah Leal

Recipe: Homemade Candy Apple

Just a handful of ingredients is standing between you and recreating this classic apple snack at home, starting with crisp apples from the farmers' market. 

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Memphis Style BBQ Nachos

Memphis Style BBQ Nachos
Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Memphis Style BBQ Nachos

At any fair, you'll find nachos. At any Southern fair, you'll find pulled pork barbecue nachos. Here's the easiest, cheesiest remake to try tonight. 

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Salted Caramel-Apple Hand Pies

Salted Caramel-Apple Hand Pies
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Katie Jacobs

Recipe: Salted Caramel-Apple Hand Pies

Is there anything cuter than a miniature pie? Plus, you get more caramel-dipped apple flavor by the bite. 

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Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes

At the fair, anything fried goes—and this Southern classic is bound to make an appearance. 

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Mini Apple Pies

Mini Apple Pies
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Mini Apple Pies

A muffin tin never looked so adorable. Meet hand pies' even tinier cousin, the mini apple pie. 

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Air Fryer French Fries

Air Fryer French Fries
Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Air Fryer French Fries

There are always French fries to be found at any fair, and we'd like to introduce our super crunchy, mess-free recipe that can be made in the air fryer. 

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Alabama Hush Puppies

Alabama Hush Puppies
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Alabama Hush Puppies

Deep-fried cornbread bites? Whoever thought up hush puppies should be considered a genius. If you've never made them at home, now's the time to try. 

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Bourbon Cola Grenadine Slush

Bourbon Cola Grenadine Slush
Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Bourbon Cola Grenadine Slush

The bourbon is optional in this recipe for an old-fashioned cherry cola slushie. All you'll need for this frozen cocktail recipe is some Coca-Cola, cherry syrup, a few maraschinos to garnish, and your favorite bourbon (optional). 

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Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey

Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream

Homemade mom-and-pop ice cream is a dime a dozen at the county fair, and we're partial to anything strawberry or peach. This recipe is made with fresh strawberries and cubed angel food cake.

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Frito Pie

Frito Pie
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Frito Pie

At the State Fair of Texas, you'll see this classic recipe of Texas chili, sour cream, and jalapenos served right out of the Frito bag.

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Chicken Fingers Coated with Cheesy Snack Crackers

Chicken Fingers Coated with Cheesy Snack Crackers
Credit: Sheri Castle

Recipe: Chicken Fingers Coated with Cheesy Snack Crackers

Chicken fingers never go out of style, but we gave the dish a cheesy twist by using cheese snack crackers (such as Cheez-Its) to coat the outside. 

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Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

If these were to appear at the county fair, odds are they'd be coated and deep-fried. For now, these will do, for health's sake. 

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Spiced Pear Hand Pies

Spiced Pear Hand Pies
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Spiced Pear Hand Pies

Everybody loves a hand pie. Stray from the usual peach or apple by using pears spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger.

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Cherry Flag Pie

Cherry Flag Pie
Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cherry Flag Pie

America's favorite dessert, our popular Cherry Flag Pie can be latticed any way you'd like, like the basic pattern shown here. 

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Fried Catfish

Fried Delacata Catfish
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick

Recipe: Fried Delacata Catfish

At the most Southern of fairgrounds, you'll find real-deal cornmeal-fried catfish. Make at home with hushpuppies and grits for the most comforting meal ever. 

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Homemade Pulled Candy

Pulled Candy
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Homemade Pulled Candy

Pulled taffy is a soft, chewy candy Southerners love, and the process of making it is easy and enjoyable enough to do with the whole family on any afternoon. 

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Beef Tamale Pie

Beef Tamale Pie
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Beef Tamale Pie

Typically served in a more hand-held form at the fair, this skillet recipe topped with a corn muffin mix dotted with jalapeños is perfect for an easy weeknight supper. 

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Fried Shrimp-and-Okra Po'Boys

Fried Shrimp-and-Okra Po’Boys
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Fried Shrimp-and-Okra Po'Boys

Fried shrimp just belongs on chewy sub bread with a generous slathering of mayonnaise, and you can't go wrong with this recipe that adds fried okra for good measure. 

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Banana Fritters

Banana Fritters
Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Banana Fritters

Forget banana pancakes—banana fritters are where it's at. These fried bites of banana-infused batter are a pure delight to eat. 

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Chicken Pot Pie Hand Pies

Chicken Pot Pie Hand Pies

Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Hand Pies

Savory hand pies deserve a shoutout, and you can make these with any pot pie filling you'd like.

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Funnel Cake Bites

Funnel Cakes
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Funnel Cake Bites

There isn't a fairground out there—big or small—that doesn't run on the sweet, sugary scent of funnel cakes wafting in the air. Turns out, they aren't hard to make at home, either. 

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    1 of 26 Fried Pickle Chips
    2 of 26 Homemade Corn Dogs
    3 of 26 Apple Cider Doughnuts
    4 of 26 Fried Deviled Eggs
    5 of 26 Golden Corn Fritters
    6 of 26 Homemade Candy Apple
    7 of 26 Memphis Style BBQ Nachos
    8 of 26 Salted Caramel-Apple Hand Pies
    9 of 26 Fried Green Tomatoes
    10 of 26 Mini Apple Pies
    11 of 26 Air Fryer French Fries
    12 of 26 Alabama Hush Puppies
    13 of 26 Bourbon Cola Grenadine Slush
    14 of 26 Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream
    15 of 26 Frito Pie
    16 of 26 Chicken Fingers Coated with Cheesy Snack Crackers
    17 of 26 Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
    18 of 26 Spiced Pear Hand Pies
    19 of 26 Cherry Flag Pie
    20 of 26 Fried Catfish
    21 of 26 Homemade Pulled Candy
    22 of 26 Beef Tamale Pie
    23 of 26 Fried Shrimp-and-Okra Po'Boys
    24 of 26 Banana Fritters
    25 of 26 Chicken Pot Pie Hand Pies
    26 of 26 Funnel Cake Bites

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    26 Iconic State Fair Food Recipes To Make at Home
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