Any state fair guarantees three things: avoiding eye contact with carnies, plenty of thrilling rides and deep-fried abominations passed off as adventurous fair food — food we’ll absolutely try once. Any other day of the week, you would shudder at the thought of eating a deep-fried Snickers bar. But today? Nah, challenge accepted.
But deep-fried Snickers and deep-fried Twinkies only just graze the surface of the weirdness that actually happens behind the counter of the food vendors at the fair. Every year, we see newer, stranger, more stomach-churning ideas, like chocolate-covered scorpions and deep-fried chicken noodle soup.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up the craziest fried fair foods we could find. They’ll either make you hungry or make you cringe at the sight of them, but regardless of the reaction, you have to give it up to the chefs who conceived of and brought these wild treats to fruition. Without them, the fair just wouldn’t be the same.
Elephant Ears
At the Washington State Fair (and plenty of other state fairs, really), you'll find deep-fried elephant ears — what they call the "original" elephant ear. Don't let the name fool you. It's just fried dough in the shape of an elephant ear that can be topped with sugar, fruit, whipped cream or ice cream.
Deep-Fried Latte
Found at the State Fair of Texas over a decade ago (in 2007), the deep-fried latte from Desperados Mexican Restaurant won most creative fair food. Makes sense. This is a sopapilla topped with cappuccino-flavored ice cream and whipped cream and topped with maple syrup.
Deep-Fried Kool-Aid
Back in 2011, deep-fried Kool-Aid balls made an appearance at the San Diego State Fair, but they don't seem to be on this year's menu.
Deep-Fried Froot Loops
You've seen Froot Loops on doughnuts, but have you ever seen them shoved into whipped marshmallow fluff, dipped in batter and deep-fried? Topped in powdered sugar, this is a true sugar bomb, and of course, it can only be found at the State Fair of Texas.
Deep-Fried Chicken Noodle Soup
The State Fair of Texas really pulled out the big guns last year. Making it as a finalist in the 2017 Big Tex Choice Awards is the deep-fried chicken noodle soup, which comes complete with saltines and a savory broth sauce on the side.
Deep-Fried Watermelon
Back in 2014, the Arizona State Fair doled out deep-fried, juicy watermelon chunks served on a stick and drizzled with cherry syrup. Arizona isn't the only one who's served this fruity treat, though; The Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, California, did too in 2012.
Deep-Fried Hot Dog Stuffed Into a Dill Pickle
Yes, so somehow the folks in Arizona managed to shove a hot dog inside a hollowed-out dill pickle, cover all that in batter and deep-fry it. It was sold for a whopping $10.
Deep-Fried Hot Dog Inside a Twinkie
More hot dog action! Again at the Arizona State Fair, what you see here is a hot dog stuffed into a Twinkie, dipped in batter and deep-fried. They sold this bad boy for $6.50.
Deep-Fried Gummy Bears
It's exactly what you think it is: gummy bears throw into a deep-frier. You can find these at the Ohio State Fair this year thanks to Gobblin' Gourmet.
The Tamale Doughnut
This savory fair food from the Texas State Fair, the tamale doughnut, is made with slow-cooked carnitas and masa, shaped into a ring and then deep-fried.
Fried Alligator on a Stick
The Illinois State Fair and the Texas Renaissance Festival really went all out with this deep-fried alligator — and apparently, they taste like pork.
Deep-Fried White Castle Burgers
Back in 2008 in Costa Mesa at the Orange County Fair, Chicken Charlie's decided to throw entire fried White Castle cheeseburgers into the deep fryer — bun and all.
Shrimp Corn Dog
Who needs hot dogs when you can throw shrimp on a stick, dip it in batter and deep-fry it? The Iowa State Fair went there.
Deep-Fried Butter
Last but not least, the deep-fried treat that trumps them all: straight-up deep-fried butter. Plenty of state fairs have jumped on the bandwagon, including Colorado, North Carolina and Texas. So chances are, you'll find it at yours this year.
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