It’s time to make some fun carnival foods for the school carnival, or to just bring that festival fiesta fun into your home for a day with these recipes!
At fairs and carnivals, you may spend time with loved ones while listening to live music and dancing, playing games on the midway, or riding the rides
And for a lot of people, one of the best parts of the carnival is all the tasty food, crisp, fried, sweet, salty—you name it!
So whether you’re on adventure rides, watching fantastic performances, or playing engaging games, good food always adds to the experience.
The iconic Corn Dog, Crispy Onion Rings, and exquisite desserts like Deep Fried Cheesecake are fantastic!
Try #26 If you’re looking for a fully loaded fair food experience you won’t soon forget!
Step up for our carnival foods list and bring the fairgrounds home with homemade variations.
Here’s the ultimate list of 27 carnival foods to sample and try!
Two of the best ingredients combine in an unexpected way to create a salty and sweet, surprisingly delicious treat.
Bacon’s crisp, salty, smokey flavor pairs perfectly with chocolate’s creamy texture, delicate sweetness, and earthy cocoa flavor.
This finger food is a hit state fair choice, but you can make your own sweet-salty chocolate-covered bacon that works both as a dessert and an appetizer.
There is a toasty crunchy coating on this ice cream and a cold and melty vanilla ice cream inside!
The fun stuff about this yummy treat is that you could try it with many other flavors of ice cream.
And, yes!
It doesn’t melt.
It’s possible to deep-fry (briefly) a large scoop of ice cream that has been coated generously.
We love these chicken tenders, marinated in seasoned buttermilk and then pan-fried until they are perfectly crispy.
Using buttermilk makes your chicken tenderize; it becomes soft and juicy inside and crispy outside.
These crispy, meaty, and delectable chicken strips are lovely for sharing or may stand alone as a satisfying dinner on their own.
With a great dipping sauce like buffalo sauce or honey mustard, it’s terrific!
Onion rings are so delectable!
They’re crisp and delicious, with a sweet and spicy flavor that pairs well with various dipping sauces such as chili dip and creamy garlic aioli.
The beer’s malty flavor imparts a sweet and nutty flavor to the batter.
You can also use this batter for many things, like jalapeños, eggplant, zucchini, etc.
If you’ve been to carnivals, perhaps you’ve seen those extra-large pieces of fried dough, and they’re called elephant ears.
These Elephant Ears are fascinating delectable fried dough sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.
It’s also known as fry bread and is a salable food item sold at state fairs, food trucks, carnivals, and theme parks.
You can add sweet toppings like powdered sugar, frosting, chocolate, or strawberry sauce.
Fried mac and cheese bites have the best crunch and are super cheesy and creamy on the inside!
The use of Panko breadcrumbs in this recipe results in a flakier consistency that absorbs less oil, resulting in crunchier and lighter-tasting fried food.
It’s finger-licking great!
7. Kettle Corn
Who doesn’t enjoy strolling through fairs while munching on Kettle Corn?
The taste of Kettle Corn is primarily sweet, with a tinge of saltiness in the aftertaste.
The only distinction between kettle corn and popcorn is the addition of sugar, which melts and coats the popping kernels, making them sweet and salty when heated.
It’s also an excellent movie-night snack or quick dessert.
There are many Oreo dessert recipes, but this one takes it to a whole new level!
They’re so amusing to change up, depending on the kind of Oreo you love.
Birthday Cake Oreos, Double Stuffed Oreos, and Golden Oreos, for example, are delectably delicious.
The best part is that you can make them with common household ingredients, serve them with powdered sugar or sprinkles, and enjoy!
Carnival’s fried dishes are simply enticing.
They’re crispy and salty, and you can never have just one, especially with these fried pickles!
The acidic dill pickle taste and crisp texture of this crowd’s favorite finger food meal will leave you wanting more.
Fried pickles are excellent on their own but even better dipped in your homemade ranch seasoning
10. Whoopie Pie
These dessert nibbles are sure to satisfy your cravings for something sweet.
Vanilla buttercream and marshmallow cream are the most popular fillings.
Vanilla buttercream is often made with butter, powdered sugar, milk, cream, and vanilla essence.
Marshmallow cream, on the other hand, is usually flavored with vanilla extract and marshmallow fluff.
Either way, you will surely enjoy this wonderful treat!
11. Lemonade
Old-fashioned, homemade lemonade is unbeatable for cooling off after a hot day.
It’s also super quick and easy to make with just three essential ingredients: sugar, water, and fresh lemon juice.
This recipe combines the perfect balance of sweetness and bright lemon flavor to make the best lemonade—so refreshing!
12. Cream Puffs
Cream Puffs are a classic type of pastry.
A golden brown and slightly brittle outer crust covers the baked-in crumb, which is dense and fluffy.
These soft cream puffs come together with a flaky and soft choux pastry, a whipped cream filling, and a dusting of powdered sugar.
Choux dough is easy and typically contains water, flour, eggs, and butter.
In place of baking powder and yeast, it uses water to make the pastry puff up.
13. Churros
Warm fried dough dusted with cinnamon sugar and served with luscious chocolate fondue — yum!
In flavor, they’re similar to cinnamon doughnuts, and the contrast in texture is part of what makes them so delicious.
Churros may be associated with Mexican cuisine, but they are traditional street food in Spain.
Instead of yeasted dough, they’re created with choux pastry, which gives them a crispy outside and a fluffy interior.
14. Funnel Cakes
Carnivals and fairs are not complete without enjoying Funnel Cakes.
They are very appealing because freshly made ones are soft and fluffy on the inside and crunchy outside.
Funnel Cake is a popular dessert, but it’s even better when you make it yourself!
You’ll love puffing the batter into a swirl cake and dusting it with powdered sugar.
Plus, here’s our best tip for reheating funnel cake too!
This recipe makes the finest chocolate chip cookies ever.
This simple chocolate chip cookie recipe yields cookies with a chewy middle and golden brown edges to please any chocoholic.
The contrast between the crisp golden rims and the soft, gooey center will delight you.
They never fail to satisfy your cravings and strike the spot every time!
16. Caramel Apples
This beloved fall delicacy is perfect for picking up at a fair or creating with the kids at home.
The sweetness of the caramel counteracts the tanginess of the green apple, creating a great pairing!
It doesn’t matter whether you use store-bought caramel; it still tastes fantastic!
Icy and cool Watermelon Slushies will satisfy your thirst as the days grow hotter.
Watermelon and lime flavors come together to produce a zesty, thirst-quenching Slushie!
Make a cocktail out of it, or add a variety of exciting tastes like strawberries or raspberries, and you’ll have a drink that’s both sweet and refreshing.
A complete trio of cheese, chili, and fries!
These Chili Cheese Fries are smothered with chili and cheddar cheese sauce.
It’s the right combination of spicy chili, creamy cheese, and crunchy fries that makes these chili cheese fries so delicious.
It’s a treat that’s loved by both children and adults alike.
19. Corn Dogs
Corn Dogs are another classic carnival favorite!
These corn dogs are covered in a savory and sweet cornbread batter, then deep-fried until golden brown.
Nothing tastes better than a fresh corn dog right out of the fryer with your favorite toppings.
We recommend serving this with sweet potato fries or macaroni salad, and you’ll be stunned!
20. Snow Cone
These Snow Cones are as delicious as they are visually pleasing.
Frozen snow cones with these vibrant hues and sweet flavors seem divine, don’t they?
Making their flavor combinations will be a lot of fun for your family and friends.
These are, without a doubt, a great way to celebrate the holidays and festivals!
These deep-fried cheesecakes are a great way to bring the fair to your home!
The sweet batter helps soften the cream cheese’s flavor, so they’re still tangy but not overly so.
Learn how to deep-fry cheesecake with this recipe and transform simple ingredients into a gooey, golden-brown deep-fried treat.
There are many cheesecake topping ideas, but strawberry or blueberry sauce is always a hit with these treats!
22. Loaded Nachos
While bell peppers and beans are bright and flavorful on their own, they go perfectly with the creamy avocado and juicy, savory ground beef.
Nachos are best when served immediately after cooking so you can enjoy the freshest possible flavor.
They’re quick and simple to cook, and you can add your favorite nacho toppings to suit your taste.
23. Soft Pretzels
Get ready for the best, tried-and-true recipe for easy Soft Pretzels that are pillowy soft, chewy, and perfectly golden brown.
The thought of soft pretzels may bring back memories of your teenage years at theme parks, but if you make them at home, you’ll fall in love with them all over again!
You can eat it plain or dunk it in your favorite cheese dip, but either way, it’s excellent!
Fried Green Tomatoes are a must-try if you haven’t tasted them before!
It’s the most delectable mouthful since it’s coated in a savory batter, fried to crispiness, and served with a dipping sauce.
Remember to buy sturdy, unripe, totally green tomatoes to hold up deep frying because green tomatoes are the star of this recipe.
Why choose between chocolate chip cookies and ice cream when you can have both in one treat?
Ice cream pairs well with just right cookies in terms of texture, thickness, and sweetness.
They’re chocolatey, chewy, sweet, and one of the greatest nostalgic treats to have on hand for a quick dessert!
26. BBQ Turkey Legs
There is nothing like a juicy turkey leg to quench one’s hunger at a festival.
Boiling the legs until soft before grilling enhances the flavor and helps the meat cook evenly.
This mouth-watering dish is made even better with a good barbeque sauce.
They’re perfect for any meal, whether a family gathering or a special event.
Looking for a dessert that you can whip up in no time?
This recipe for Chocolate-Covered Bananas is a winner!
They are made with only two ingredients: a ripe banana and melted chocolate chips.
You can add crunchy toppings and put bananas in the freezer.
We bet you’ll be surprised that something so basic can be so delicious!
The bottom line
Even though fair foods have always been out of the ordinary, in recent years, it has become more refined.
Our childhood memories are relived every time we attend a carnival or fair, thanks to these delicious treats!
So, let’s take a trip back in time and eat our fill of these delectable carnival foods favorites!
🎪 27 FUN Carnival Foods That You Find At Fairs 🎪
It’s time to make some fun carnival foods for the school carnival, or to just bring that festival fiesta fun into your home for a day with these recipes!
Ingredients
- Chocolate Covered Bacon
- Fried Ice Cream
- Fried Chicken Tenders
- Beer-Battered Onion Rings
- Elephant Ears
- Fried Mac And Cheese Bites
- Kettle Corn
- Deep Fried Oreos
- Deep Fried Pickles
- Whoopie Pie
- Lemonade
- Cream Puffs
- Churros
- Funnel Cakes
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Caramel Apples
- Watermelon Slushie
- Chili Cheese Fries
- Corn Dogs
- Snow Cone
- Deep Fried Cheesecake
- Loaded Nachos
- Soft Pretzels
- Fried Green Tomatoes
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich
- BBQ Turkey Legs
- Monkey Tails (Chocolate Covered Bananas)
Instructions
- Got your DIY carnival planned out? Choose these Carnival Foods!
- Get your ingredients together.
- Start cookin’ and chewin’ for the best fiesta ever!