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State fair food is hands down one of the highlights of any state fair, and everyone’s got their personal must-haves. This lineup of the best state fair foods brings you a whole range of mouthwatering treats, like bacon-wrapped chicken lollipops straight outta Kansas, heavenly chocolate-dipped cheesecake from Virginia, and even donut burgers hailing from all the way up in Alaska. No need to sit around twiddling your thumbs, waiting for the fair to roll into town. Thanks to these simple copycat recipes, you can recreate the magic right in your own kitchen!
Photo credit: AS Foodstudio/Shutterstock.
Donut Burger – Alaska

Donuts are classic, burgers are classic, so a donut burger should be…a double classic? The donut burger is a sweet and savory treat from Alaska, and is as ridiculous as it is delicious.
Sloppers – Colorado
There’s nothing better than chewing on a nice, flesh Slopper, huh? A Slopper is an open-faced bun-less cheeseburger covered in green chiles from the great state of Colorado. Spicy, juicy, and a nice bit of protein at an event that’s normally all about the dessert. Add this to your list of must try best state fair foods!
Funnel Cake Sandwich – Florida
What will Floridians think up next? A funnel cake sandwich is just what it sounds like, funnel cake as sandwich bread with a rich assortment of insides—pork, ham, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard.
Apple Pie Fries – Illinois
Just like French fries, but better. Apple pie fries are comprised of deep-fried honey crisp apples smothered in sugar and then topped with refreshing whipped cream. Move over, potato fries and ketchup, there’s a new handheld with a dipping sauce in town. Thanks, Illinois!
Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Lollipops – Kansas
Looking for a meatsplosion? Look no further than the bacon-wrapped chicken lollipops from the Kansas State Fair. These deliciously meaty and greasy handhelds are a great way to break up the sweet stuff at the fair.
Red Snapper Hot Dogs – Maine
Don’t be fooled, Red Snapper Hot Dogs from Maine’s fairs are not actually made with red snapper fish. They’re beef and pork like most other hot dogs, but they have a distinct red color and a unique amount of “snap” from the casing.
Peach Sundae – Maryland
A peach sundae is just the thing for a hot day at the fair. Refreshing, sweet, and easy to eat! Maryland’s fairs have all the bases covered with their incredible peach and soft serve ice cream sundaes. There is a reason this is one of the best state fair foods!
Chicken on a Stick – Mississippi
It’s commonly held that everything tastes better when it’s served on a stick. Mississippi definitely ascribes to this belief, and they serve chicken on a stick—a heavenly, buttery, flaky fried chicken on a stick. All the good of fried chicken with none of the greasy fingers.
Rainbow Kettle Corn – New Jersey
One of the most beloved vendors at New Jersey’s state fair is a kettle corn vendor, and his marquee product is Rainbow Kettle Corn! It’s not “rainbow-flavored” as the colors may suggest, but it’s certainly a fun and playful take on kettle corn.
Chocolate Dipped Cheesecake – Virginia
Rich, chocolatey, and oh-so-crave-able. Those are all words to describe chocolate-dipped cheesecake, a decadent dessert found at the State Fair of Virginia each year.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.