1Roasted Turkey Legs
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONSlow-roasting turkey legs will create a fall-off-the-bone texture in just a few hours, no visit to the state (or Renaissance!) fair required. It’s a very forgiving cooking tactic and difficult to mess up—this is one to keep in your pocket for Thanksgiving too.
Get the Roasted Turkey Legs recipe.
2Churros
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSONWe don't often feel like getting a deep fry going. But when you have an easy churro recipe this delicious, it's absolutely worth it. They only take a few minutes to fry and will actually still taste good at room temp, making them a great party dessert!
Get the Churros recipe.
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3Funnel Cake
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORENo need to wait for the carnival to come to town to enjoy this tasty treat. We were shocked at just how easily these came together and taste like they came right from your favorite fair vendor. Try our Flamin' Hot Cheetos funnel cake next!
Get the Funnel Cake recipe.
4Deep-Fried Oreos
PARKER FEIERBACHAhh, the classic deep-fried Oreo. It's a state-fair favorite that's worth every single calorie. Now, you can make them right at home with those lingering Oreos you have (IF that ever happens). It's the perfect treat for any occasion!
Get the Deep-Fried Oreos recipe.
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5Toasted Ravioli
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONThese fried (not actually toasted!) ravioli are traditionally served as a snack or appetizer, almost always with warm marinara on the side and showered with Parmesan. The most important thing to know, though? You can easily make them at home with great results. (Seriously, they’ll go fast if you’re serving them to a crowd, so make extra!).
Get the Toasted Ravioli recipe.
6Caramel Popcorn
ANDREW BUIMaking from-scratch caramel corn couldn't be easier, but don't be hesitated to rush it—baking at a low temperature for about an hour is key to caramel corn with that irresistible crunch. Want something a little less sweet? Try our kettle corn next.
Get the Caramel Popcorn recipe.
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7Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GOREElote (AKA Mexican street corn) is an unbelievably popular antojito—little craving or street food—that pops up at fairs all over the U.S. In our recipe, grilled corn is covered in a creamy mayo and Mexican crema mixture before being topped with chili powder, cotija cheese, and plenty of lime juice.
Get the Elote (Mexican Street Corn) recipe.
8Poutine
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDSThe national dish of Canada and popular at state fairs all across the U.S., poutine is the comfort food we at Delish can't get enough of. Made with French fries, gravy, and cheese curds, this recipe is not only customizable, but it's also much simpler to make at home than you may think.
Get the Poutine recipe.
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9Homemade Lemonade
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GOREDoes anything scream summer more than an ice-cold glass of homemade lemonade? While we love adding fruity twists to this warm-weather drink, this recipe is our go-to when we’re looking for simple, classic, and ridiculously refreshing.
Get the Homemade Lemonade recipe.
10Soft Pretzel Bites
PARKER FEIERBACHUsing canned biscuits to make pretzel bites is the best hack ever. The pretzels won't look gorgeous as they come out of the boiling water, but don't worry—they will brown and crisp up and be oh-so-beautiful when they come out of the oven!
Get the Soft Pretzel Bites recipe.
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11Korean Corn Dogs
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: FRANCESCA ZANI 12Sweet Potato Fries
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAMSweet potato fries can sometimes have a bad reputation—they’re often a floppy, bland pile of under-seasoned sadness when you make them at home, but it doesn’t have to be that way! There’s a way to get crisp and savory sweet potato fries fresh out of the oven, and we've got all the tips.
Get the Sweet Potato Fries recipe.
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13Cream Puffs
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSONIf you’re looking to get started in the world of pastry making, then there is no better place to start than cream puffs. They combine two basic pastry components: a pâte à choux, a dough used in a lot of French pastry applications made of flour, butter, milk, water, and eggs, and pastry cream.
Get the Cream Puffs recipe.
14Air Fryer Egg Rolls
PHOTO & FOOD STYLING: LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHYOnce we discovered the magic of the air fryer, we knew we had to develop an egg roll recipe for our new favorite gadget. Quick to make and even easier to clean up, this recipe uses less oil than the usual deep-fried versions, making it one of our new go-to dishes for an easy snack or appetizer.
Get the Air Fryer Egg Rolls recipe.
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15Baked Bloomin' Onion
Ethan CalabreseThe Bloomin' Onion is a cult favorite, and for good reason. We opted to bake instead of fry for a slightly healthier approach. Don't worry, it still has everything you love about the favorite, including the sauce.
Get the Baked Bloomin' Onion recipe.
16Homemade Soft Serve Ice Cream
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: PEARL JONESLove soft serve but tired of waiting in a hot, long line at the fair? Make your own. Featuring just five ingredients and nothing more complicated than a handheld mixer, this simple soft serve recipe will have you piping cones all summer long.
Get the Homemade Soft Serve Ice Cream recipe.
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17Jalapeño Popper Corn Fritters
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: RILEY WOFFORD 18Onion Rings
Parker Feierbach Any kind of onions will work here, but we use the Vidalia variety for a sweeter ring. Because salt can draw out water from the onions and make them sweat, we reserve salting for after the fry is done—this helps to keep the batter on the onion and not a mess in your frying pot.
Get the Onion Rings recipe.
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19Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks recipe
Beatriz de CostaAlthough they’re a classic at state fairs, neighborhood bars, and the freezer section of the grocery store, this party app is also so simple to make at home! The secret? It’s all in the magic air fryer.
Get the Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks recipe.
20Hush Puppies
ETHAN CALABRESEHush puppies are similar to cornbread in that they're both made from a cornmeal batter, but hush puppies are shaped into balls and deep fried to give that crispy exterior with a soft middle while cornbread is baked in the oven. Essentially, you can think of hush puppies as deep fried balls of cornbread...and who wouldn't want that?
Get the Hush Puppies recipe.
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