I Worked At The State Fair One Summer & These Recipes Still Haunt My Dreams

Slow-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.

Crispy on the outside yet juicy in the middle, fried pickles hold a special place in our hearts and are always one of our first stops at the fair.

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No 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!

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Does 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.😉

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No one can deny the crispy, slightly sweet, perfectly fried lure of a corn dog. Surprisingly, they're easy to make at home. The batter fries up quickly and super crispy. These will transport you right back to being a kid at the local state fair.

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This recipe has everything you love about loaded baked potatoes—but twisted and on a stick, just like all good fair food should be. Like their street food inspiration—Korean corndogs—these are fun to make AND to eat.

Get the Fully Loaded Tornado Potatoes recipe.

Ahh, 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!

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Extremely tender with a sweet-yet-tangy homemade BBQ sauce, pulled pork piled high on a bun is the state fair staple that always feels like an extra-special treat. If you've never made pulled pork in the oven, follow our top tips below the recipe for acing this easy BBQ dish every time.

Get the Pulled Pork recipe.

Elote (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 Elotes (Mexican Street Corn) recipe.

We don't often feel like getting a deep fry going, so these are always such a delight at the fair. That said, when you have an easy churro recipe this delicious, it's absolutely worth it to make them at home. They only take a few minutes to fry and still taste good at room temp, making them a great party dessert!

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The 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.

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Love 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.

The combination of sausage, peppers, and onions is an Italian American classic. Often served on a sub or in a bun at the fair, this dish is also excellent just eaten out of a bowl.

Get the Sausage, Peppers & Onions recipe.

We went through 5 whole chickens, 3 gallons of peanut oil, and over 20 iterations of the recipe so that you won't have to. The final result? The only fried chicken recipe you'll ever need again.

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Kettle corn is popcorn that is cooked or mixed with sugar and salt. The combination makes for an delicious sweet snack that’s perfect for movie night, an afternoon sugar craving, or on the snack table at your next picnic or BBQ.

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Fluffy and crispy, corn fritters are our new favorite Southern-fried side (sorry, hush puppies).

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Hush 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.

Homemade soft pretzels are better than any concession stand pretzel you can find. Soft and pillowy, they are a dream for dipping in mustard or nacho cheese, or skip the pretzel salt and toss them in a little cinnamon sugar for a sweet treat!

Get the Homemade Soft Pretzels recipe.

It’s time to say ciao to your new favorite Italian treats, zeppole! Zeppole (or zeppola if referring to a single donut) are tiny fried donuts rolled in a sugar mixture, and we can’t get enough of them.

Get the Zeppole recipe.