17 Odd But Delicious Indiana Fair Foods Everyone Should Try
Indiana fairs are more than rides and livestock shows – they’re a playground for some of the wildest foods you’ll ever encounter. Vendors compete to outdo one another with creations that sound like a dare but taste like pure genius once you dig in.
Think deep-fried classics given outrageous twists, sugary concoctions that defy gravity, and savory mashups no one saw coming. It’s messy, it’s over-the-top, and it’s the kind of indulgence that makes the fair unforgettable.
Here are 17 odd but surprisingly delicious Indiana fair foods that prove flavor has no rules.
1. Deep-Fried Oreos
Cookie lovers rejoice! America’s favorite sandwich cookie gets dunked in sweet batter, deep-fried to golden perfection, then dusted with powdered sugar.
The chocolate cookies soften inside while maintaining their distinct flavor, creating a warm, gooey center that melts in your mouth. Imagine the tastiest donut you’ve ever had, but with a chocolate Oreo surprise inside.
2. Fried Butter Balls
Yes, you read that right – actual balls of butter, frozen, coated in cinnamon-sugar batter, and deep-fried until crispy. One bite releases a buttery explosion that mingles with the sweet outer shell.
While your cardiologist might not approve, your taste buds certainly will! Fair-goers line up by the dozens for this once-a-year indulgence that tastes surprisingly like the most intense cinnamon toast imaginable.
3. Deep-Fried Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich
Childhood nostalgia gets a carnival makeover! A classic PB&J sandwich takes a dip in sweet batter before hitting the fryer, creating a crispy shell around the warm, gooey center.
The heat transforms the filling into a molten mixture that oozes with each bite. The contrast between the crunchy exterior and the melty peanut butter-jelly interior makes this treat irresistible to kids and grown-ups alike.
4. Kool-Aid Pickles
Bright red, sweet-and-sour, and guaranteed to turn your tongue a vibrant shade of crimson! These eye-catching treats are made by soaking dill pickles in cherry Kool-Aid for days.
The result? A crunchy, juicy pickle with a sweet cherry kick that somehow works despite sounding completely wrong. Hoosiers have embraced this Southern-inspired oddity, making it a colorful addition to Indiana fair food stands in recent years.
5. Deep-Fried Twinkies
The fairground classic that started the deep-fried dessert craze! Golden-brown on the outside, these battered Twinkies transform the familiar snack cake into something magical.
Frying caramelizes the outer cake while warming the cream filling to an almost custard-like consistency. Vendors typically dust them with powdered sugar and drizzle chocolate or strawberry sauce on top. Fair warning: you’ll never look at regular Twinkies the same way again!
6. Pickle Pizza
Pizza purists might cringe, but pickle pizza has become a surprise hit at Indiana fairs! This unconventional pie features a garlic sauce base topped with mozzarella cheese and generous slices of dill pickles.
Some vendors add bacon or ranch drizzle for extra flavor. The combination of tangy pickles, creamy cheese, and crispy crust creates a surprisingly addictive flavor profile that’s worth braving the long lines that form whenever this oddball pizza appears.
7. Fried Ice Cream Sandwich
Hot meets cold in this mind-bending dessert! A scoop of ice cream is sandwiched between two cookies, flash-frozen, then dipped in batter and quickly deep-fried.
The result defies physics – crispy, hot exterior surrounding still-frozen, creamy ice cream. The race to eat it before melting becomes part of the fun! Many Indiana fair vendors add their own twist with flavored batters or unique ice cream combinations.
8. Deep-Fried Corn on the Cob
Fresh Indiana sweet corn gets the carnival treatment! Whole cobs are dipped in a seasoned batter, deep-fried until crispy, then slathered with butter and sprinkled with various seasonings.
The kernels inside steam to perfection while developing a crunchy coating. Fair vendors offer different flavor options, from classic salt and pepper to spicy cajun or cheesy garlic parmesan. This heartland staple transformed into handheld fair food perfectly represents Indiana’s agricultural roots.
9. Donut Burger
Breakfast meets lunch in this sweet-savory mashup! A juicy beef patty nestled between two glazed donuts instead of a regular bun creates a flavor combination that shouldn’t work but somehow does.
Add cheese, bacon, and sometimes a fried egg for the full experience. The warm donuts get slightly crispy where they touch the hot burger, while the glaze creates a maple-like sweetness that complements the savory meat in an unexpectedly delicious way.
10. Deep-Fried Cookie Dough
Raw cookie dough lovers can indulge safely at the fair! Balls of eggless chocolate chip cookie dough are frozen, dipped in sweet batter, then deep-fried to golden perfection.
The outer shell cooks while the inside warms to a gooey, doughy consistency without fully baking. The contrast between crispy exterior and soft, melty interior makes this treat irresistible. Many vendors add chocolate drizzle and powdered sugar for extra decadence.
11. Cucumber Lemonade
A refreshing respite from heavy fair foods! This unexpected beverage combines fresh-squeezed lemonade with muddled cucumber for a cooling, spa-like drink that cuts through the richness of fried foods.
Some vendors add mint or a splash of vodka for adult fairgoers. The subtle cucumber flavor balances the tart lemonade perfectly. During hot Indiana summers, lines form quickly at stands offering this unique thirst-quencher that’s both unusual and surprisingly delicious.
12. Fried Cheesecake Bites
Fancy dessert gets the carnival treatment! Chunks of creamy cheesecake are frozen, coated in sweet batter, then quickly deep-fried to create bite-sized pockets of melty, cheesy goodness.
The contrast between the hot, crispy exterior and the cool, creamy center makes these irresistible. Vendors typically serve them with strawberry sauce, chocolate drizzle, or caramel for dipping. These portable dessert bombs have become a fair favorite for good reason!
13. Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Nachos
Three comfort foods collide in this savory masterpiece! Crispy tortilla chips get smothered in creamy mac and cheese, then topped with spicy buffalo chicken, blue cheese crumbles, and green onions.
The combination creates a perfect balance of textures and flavors – crunchy, creamy, spicy, and tangy all in one dish. This hefty portion typically comes in a boat container perfect for sharing, though many fairgoers tackle it solo as a meal unto itself.
14. Deep-Fried Pizza Rolls
The freezer aisle favorite gets a fair makeover! Standard pizza rolls are dipped in seasoned batter and deep-fried, creating an extra crispy shell around the already-beloved snack.
The frying process takes these nostalgic bites to new heights, making the filling extra gooey while adding another layer of crunch. Vendors serve them with marinara or ranch for dipping. This meta snack – a fried version of an already-processed food – perfectly captures the playful spirit of fair cuisine.
15. Apple Pie On-A-Stick
American as it gets! This portable version of the classic dessert features a whole apple slice, dipped in pie filling, wrapped in flaky pastry, then deep-fried and coated in cinnamon sugar.
The result tastes exactly like traditional apple pie but in a convenient handheld format. Some vendors drizzle caramel sauce or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. This sweet treat pays homage to Indiana’s apple orchards while delivering fair food innovation.
16. Fried Kool-Aid
How do you fry a liquid? Fair vendors figured it out! This creative concoction mixes Kool-Aid powder into sweet batter, which is then dropped by spoonfuls into hot oil.
The resulting fritters have a donut-hole texture with a distinctly fruity punch flavor. Usually served in paper boats and dusted with powdered sugar, these bright red or purple treats taste like summer childhood memories with a crispy exterior. Cherry and grape flavors tend to be the most popular.
17. Chocolate-Covered Bacon
Sweet meets savory in this simple yet mind-blowing treat! Thick-cut bacon is cooked until crispy, cooled, then dipped in melted chocolate and allowed to harden.
Some vendors add sea salt, crushed nuts, or candy sprinkles for extra flair. The combination of smoky, salty bacon and rich, sweet chocolate creates an addictive flavor profile that surprises first-timers. This relatively new fair food has quickly become a staple at Indiana fairs.
