12 State fair foods

A trip to the state fair is likely to result in several bites of ooey-gooey, deep-fried and sugary-sweet treats. Bring the fair food home with these recipes!

Whether you live in Arizona or Ohio, one of the best things about the state fair is the food! If you didn’t make it to the state fair this summer, don’t fret! You can mimic the experience at home, but without the barnyard animals or long lines for the rides. We’ve got you covered with these recipes you can make in the comfort of your own home.

These onion rings are a treat that won’t leave your fingers coated in grease. These crunchy baked onion rings are crispy and flavorful, and simple to make. Serve with a side of ranch dressing or ketchup.

Serves 2-3

Ingredients:

• 1 large white onion
• 3 cups cornflakes cereal, pulsed to crumbs in a food processor, divided
• 1-1/2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning (or your favorite spice mix), divided
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• Vegetable oil cooking spray
• Parchment paper
• Salt and ground black pepper (optional)
• Ranch dressing or ketchup for dipping

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Slice off the top and bottom of the onion, peel it and cut it into 1/2-inch-thick rings. Save the inner rings of the onion for another recipe.
3. Add the egg to a shallow bowl.
4. Working in batches, mix together 1 cup of cornflakes cereal crumbs with 1/2 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning in a shallow bowl.
5. Place the baking sheets, the bowl with the eggs, and the crumb mixture close together in your prep area.
6. One at a time, dip an onion ring into the egg mixture and coat the entire ring (make sure to coat the inner ring, too). Allow the excess egg to drip off into the bowl.
7. Roll the onion ring in the cornflakes mixture. Use your fingers to lightly press the crumbs to the onion. Place on the baking sheet.
8. Spray the coated onion rings with the nonstick cooking spray.
9. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Turn them halfway through the cooking time, and spray the tops with the nonstick cooking spray.
10. Continue baking for another 5-8 minutes or so, or until the rings are golden.
11. Sprinkle with the salt and ground black pepper before serving if you’d like, and serve the onion rings with a side of ranch dressing or ketchup.

Is it possible to improve bacon? Candied bacon on a stick might do the trick! The salt from the bacon and the sweet from the brown sugar are quite a combo, especially when served on a stick!

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound bacon
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Aluminum foil
• Bamboo skewers, trimmed in length with scissors, as needed
• Nonstick cooking spray

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a roasting pan with aluminum foil and place the grilling rack over it. Lightly spray the rack with the nonstick cooking spray.
2. Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together in a medium bowl and set aside.
3. Cut about 3 inches off each strip of bacon and reserve for another recipe.
4. One at a time, lay each strip of bacon in the brown sugar mixture. Gently pat the sugar onto the bacon to help it stick. Flip the bacon, and do the same for the other side.
5. If needed, trim the skewers with scissors (from the bottom end) so they are just slightly longer than each strip of bacon.
6. One at a time, thread each strip of bacon onto the skewer, weaving it from the front to the back until the entire strip is on the skewer.
7. Wrap the tips and ends of the skewers with a bit of aluminum foil.
8. Bake for 20-30 minutes (flipping the bacon halfway through the cooking time) or until the bacon is crispy and the sugar begins to harden.
9. Allow the bacon to cool before serving.

These blueberry hand pies will take first prize in any baked goods competition! Fresh blueberries make these perfectly-sized handheld treats a delight.

Yields 12 mini pies

Ingredients:

• 1 heaping tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 cups fresh blueberries, washed
• 1/3 cup sugar
• Juice and zest from 1/2 lemon
• 1 package refrigerated pie crust (two 9-inch crusts)
• 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup raw sugar
• Parchment paper

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Set aside.
3. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the blueberries, sugar, lemon juice and zest. Cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves.
4. Increase the heat to high and stir in the cornstarch mixture. Stirring, bring the mixture to boil. The mixture will begin to thicken. Remove it from the heat.
5. Allow the blueberry mixture to cool. To speed up the process you can add ice water to a large bowl and set the saucepan in it, just so the bottom of the pan is in the water.
6. One at a time, roll out the pie dough. Use the mouth of a glass or small bowl to press 5-6-inch-circles into the pie dough. Gather the dough scraps together and roll them out to about the same size and thickness as the other circles.
7. Place 1-1/2 tablespoons of the cooled blueberry mixture into the center of each circle. Fold the circle in half and use a fork to press and seal the edges of the dough.
8. Lightly brush the tops of each pie with the egg yolk. Sprinkle with the raw sugar and use a sharp knife to cut two 1/4-inch-slits into the top of the pies.
9. Place on the lined baking sheets and bake for 15-25 minutes, or until the tops of the pies turn golden.
10. Allow the pies to cool on a wire rack before serving.

Interested in more fair-inspired food you can make at home? Consider these treats:

You don’t have to wait for the fair to enjoy fun, fair-inspired food!

More fair food to try

5 Fair-inspired foods to serve at your next party
Apples and cinnamon cornbread
3 carnival favorites to make at home