Happy State Fair of Texas! We always love going to the fair and trying all of the fried foods. And wow, this year, there’s an insane selection! From famous corn dogs and bacon cotton candy beer to pretty much deep-friend everything, there are so many delicious options to try! Read about the best foods and drinks at the State Fair of Texas below.
Updated September 2024
AMISH DOUGHNUTS
We've had Amish doughnuts before, and trust us when we way they go above and beyond your traditional doughnut! Making their State Fair debut this year, these giant treats are made with sourdough and topped with a sticky vanilla glaze -- all deep-fried, of course.
Made by: Milton's Amish Doughnuts
BLOOMING ONION
This classic shareable has Outback Steakhouse's version beat by far. It starts with thick layers upon layers of onion, battered and deep-fried to crispy perfection. Then, it's topped with a secret seasoning and served with a special sauce for dipping that is seriously addictive!
Made by: Isaac Rousso
Churro Crumble Cheesecake
If you were a fan of last year's award-winning Biscoff Delight, this decadent treat is a must. It's essentially a New York–style cheesecake on a stick, but dipped in chocolate, rolled in churro crumbles, and drizzled with dulce de leche sauce.
Made by: Drizzle Cheesecake
COTTON CANDY BACON ON A STICK
The viral sensation and winner of the sweet category in this year's Big Tex Choice Awards, this is one of the most talked about foods at the State Fair of Texas in 2024. A thick piece of bacon is engulfed in cotton candy, which is then smushed onto the bacon and caramelized by a torch down the middle, served on a stick!
Made by: Isaac Rousso
COTTON CANDY BACON BEER
If you're a fan of the cotton candy bacon on a stick, take it up a notch and pair it with the accompanying beer! This adventurous brew perfectly combines sweet and smoky and is unlike any beer we've tried before. Find it at the Magnolia Beer Garden, among over 50 other beers to try!
Made by: Isaac Rousso & Lakewood Brewing Co
DOMINICAN FRITURA DOG
The winner of the savory category in the 2024 Big Tex Choice Awards, this dish features fried Dominican salami and tropical cheese on the inside of a double-fried corn dog, which is then split open and topped with crushed plantain garlic chips, cilantro, and secret sauce!
Made by: Justin Martinez
DEEP FRIED ALLIGATOR EGGS NEST
If you've never eaten alligator meat, now is your chance! These deep-fried balls of gator goodness are full of alligator meat, cheese, onions, garlic, and jalapenos, then topped with a chipotle ranch sauce and laid on a bed of fries. It tastes like chicken, but maybe even better, we promise! (Featured header image)
Made by: Chef Cassy's Creations
Deep Fried Tablitas
Mexican food lovers, this one's for you. This flavor-packed dish features battered and fried juicy short ribs, served with Cojita cheese and fried jalapeño. Don't forget to squeeze some lime on there, and try all three of the dipping sauces!
Made by: Texas Holy Fried Ribs and Fusion BBQ
FERNIE'S FUNNEL CAKES
You can't go wrong with a funnel cake! These are the quintessential State Fair food, and capture the essence of fried food -- they're literally fried dough topped with powdered sugar! In our opinion, Fernie's are the best because they're always massive and the perfect combo of crispy and soft.
Made by: Fernie's Funnel Cakes
FLETCHER'S MUSTARD BEER
Pair your corn dog with beer inspired by everyone's favorite corn dog condiment: mustard! Available for the first year ever, Fletcher's has teamed up with Martin House Brewing to create the perfect beverage pairing for your corny dog. Martin House is no stranger to wild flavors -- they're the team behind the popular Best Maid Pickle Beer!
Made by: Fletcher's Corny Dogs & Martin House Brewing
FLETCHER'S CORNY DOGS
Fletcher's has been a State Fair fave for over 80 years and sells over 500,000 of them at the fair each year. Try the classic Original, spicy Jalapeno and Cheese, and the gooey Cheesy Pup which reminds us of a grilled cheese! They even offer veggie dogs for vegans and vegetarians!
Made by: Fletcher's Corny Dogs
FROZEN DAIQUIRIS
It may officially be fall, but the Texas temps are still pretty hot! Cool off and get the party started with a taste of NOLA -- rum-inspired daiquiris, available in a variety of fun flavors.
Made by: Isaac Rousso & Who Dat Daiquiris
FRIED MATCHA SANDO
Sandoitchi has garnered quite the cult following for their Japanese-style sandos, and they're taking it to the next level for The Fair! Their classic fluffy bread is deep-fried, then filled with matcha Chantilly cream and fresh strawberries, and topped with matcha cookie sticks.
Made by: Sandoitchi
Fried Mochi Matcha Ice Cream
Calling all matcha and mochi lovers! This sweet treat is the best of both worlds, featuring creamy matcha flavored ice cream, encased in a chewy mochi shell, and deep-fried, of course!
Made by: Sandoitchi
FRIED COOKIE DOUGH
This one is an oldie but a goodie, a Big Tex Choice Award Winner back in 2007! Delicious bites of cookie dough with chocolate chunks are battered and ran through the deep fryer, then drizzled with chocolate sauce and powdered sugar.
Made by: Chef Abel
FRIED DOUBLE STUF OREOS
Fans of this classic cookie absolutely need to try this deep-fried take. Cookies are battered, fried, and coated with a generous amount of powdered sugar! We love how the cream inside the cookies turns melted -- it takes the dish to a whole new level!
Made by: Stiffler's Concessions
FRIED REESES
There's no better combo than chocolate and peanut butter...but it's even better deep-fried and served with ice cream! The candy melts in the fryer, encased in a batter shell with powdered sugar on top. The warm Reeses pairs perfectly with cold vanilla ice cream.
Made by: Smokey John's BBQ
FRIED TURKEY LEG
It wouldn't be the fair without a giant turkey leg! These ones are colossal, created by a Texas barbecue staple. They're seasoned perfectly, and crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside! Napkins reccommended.
Made by: Smokey John's BBQ
HOLY BISCUIT
This creative take on a classic biscuit brings all the Southern flavors with no boundaries. A buttery, flaky biscuit is made from scratch, then piled high with classic Texan dishes like juicy pulled pork, creamed corn, fried okra, crispy bacon, and homemade barbecue sauce.
Made by: Isaac Rousso
Hot Cheetos Korean Corn Dog
We all know and love corn dogs at the State Fair, but if you haven't tried a Korean corn dog, you're missing out. This fusion concoction is filled with hot dog and mozzarella cheese, fried with panko breadcrumbs, then dipped in spicy mayo and rolled in crushed up Hot Cheetos.
Made by: Korean Corn Dogs
JACK'S FRENCH FRY BUCKET
There's nothing better than a classic, heaping pile of crispy french fries. This huge bucket of french fries is perfect for carrying around the fair or sharing with friends! Plus, the owner, Jack, hasn't missed a State Fair in his lifetime -- 75 years!
Made by: Jack's French Fries
Lay’s Potato Chip Drink
Ever wonder what would happen if you combined a bunch of Lays Potato Chip flavors and turned them into a drink? We hadn't, but we're so glad someone did! Topped with cold foam and chips, the drink is infused with a combo of sweet and spicy flavors like mango, jalapeño, citrus, hot honey, and strawberry.
Made by: Milton's
Oktoberfest Pizza
This dish perfectly combines two of our favorite fall holidays: The State Fair of Texas and Oktoberfest! It's topped with the classic German flavors, like sauerkraut, sausage, potatoes, onions, and peppers, and the sauce is even infused with spicy mustard.
Made by: Pizza by the GIANT Slice
PULLED PORK ARANCINI
Transport to Italy via a bite of deep-fried goodness! This delicious Italian eat has gotten a Texan makeover. The crispy rice balls are filled with smoked pulled pork, melted cheese, and rich risotto.
Made by: Eataly
TEXAS SUGAR RUSH PICKLES
Awarded the most creative dish in the 2024 Big Tex Choice Awards, these over-the-top pickles are covered with Lucky Charms, Froot Loops, and Captain Crunch, and then topped with powdered sugar and candy to finish it off!
Made by: Heather Perkins
TAJIN TWIST SUNDAE
If something has Tajin on it, you know it's going to be good! This refreshing treat gives us all the Dole Whip vibes, and is a welcome change of pace in a sea of hearty fried foods. Choose between pineapple, strawberry, or swirl ice cream, piled high then smothered in the tangy, classic combo of Tajin and Chamoy!
Made by: Dole Soft Serve
WAFFLE STIX
One of the most unique dishes at the Fair is the new waffle stix, aka a waffle on a stick with all the fixings! Choose your own adventure with this dish, picking out milk, white, or dark chocolate as the coating, then choose your toppings from options like chocolate chips, sprinkles, M&M’S, marshmallows, and more.
Made by: Waffle Works
