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9 Foods To Eat At The Minnesota State Fair

The Traditional, The Deep Fried, & The Totally Wild: 9 Minnesota State Fair Foods You Have To Try

For 12 days in late August through Labor Day weekend, swarms of fairgoers descend upon the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Few state fairs are as well known as Minnesota’s. It’s the largest state fair by daily attendance and second in overall attendance behind Texas, which runs for three weeks. What makes The Great Minnesota Get-Together such a draw? I have to imagine it has something to do with the food.

At least, that was what I found during my experience as a first-timer at the 2016 Minnesota State Fair. While hosted by the Roseville Visitors Association in the Twin Cities suburb Roseville, I spent two days eating and drinking my way around the State Fair. From my experience, you’ll want to wear comfortable walking shoes and your stretchiest or loosest pants. Also, bring cash to pay for your food and a friend or five to split all of these foods with you.

This post may include affiliate links, and you can read my full disclosure here. I was not otherwise compensated for this post.

Nine Foods You Should Eat At The Minnesota State Fair

As I wandered from vendor to vendor, I noticed foods traditional to the State Fair, a lot of deep-fried foods often served on a stick, and some truly unique foods that were new and instant hits. Whether you visit year after year or are a rookie like I was in 2016, I’ve pinpointed nine foods you should eat at the Minnesota State Fair.

Traditional Favorites Among Minnesota State Fair Foods

Certainly, there is no shortage of traditional carnival treats at the Minnesota State Fair. Here are just a few you can’t miss!

Pronto Pups

Pronto Pups are a longstanding Minnesota State Fair tradition.

Fairgoers will find these corn dogs made with a not-so-sweet cornmeal batter at several booths around the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. The Pronto Pup has been a Minnesota State Fair tradition since the 1940s, and it combines two common themes among food at the fair — deep fried and served on a stick.

Soft Pretzel With Cheese

A soft pretzel at the Minnesota State Fair

A classic fair or carnival food, you’ll find soft pretzels from at least two vendors at “The Great Minnesota Get-Together.” I used a $2-off coupon in the Blue Ribbon Bargain Book to purchase my pretzel with cheese from the Pretzel Factory.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar at the Minnesota State Fair

One of the longest lines at the Minnesota State Fair is for Sweet Martha’s chocolate chip cookies. Sold by the cone or the bucket, you’ll find several Sweet Martha’s vendors around the fairgrounds.

Also Try:

  • Roasted sweet corn on the cob
  • Ice cream from the Dairy Goodness Bar inside the Dairy Building
  • Mini donuts

Deep-Fried Minnesota State Fair Foods

In addition to nightly concerts, amusement rides, and agricultural exhibits, the food is a major reason to attend the Minnesota State Fair. You’ll be amazed by all the foods served fried. While you may have expected to find deep-fried cheese curds at a Midwestern state fair, how about deep-fried candy bars, fruit, or olives? If you just want to indulge in one or two deep-fried fair foods, these are my top picks …

Deep-Fried Cookie Dough

Deep-fried chocolate-chip cookie dough on a stick at the Minnesota State Fair

This may sound odd, but this was my favorite food at the fair. The chocolate-chip cookie dough was warm and gooey.

Deep-fried Pickle Slices

Deep-fried pickle slices at the Minnesota State Fair

The sliced fried pickles come classic, cajun style, or with cream cheese.

Also Try:

  • Deep-fried Cheese Curds
  • Fried Green Tomatoes

Intriguing Food Finds At The Minnesota State Fair

Another Minnesota State Fair food tradition is the addition of new foods each year. These foods sometimes feature a traditional fair food in a unique way or fuse a traditional Midwestern food with an exotic cuisine. In 2016, one of the wildest new editions fused Minnesota-produced SPAM with sushi. Each of the following foods were new in 2016, but you can see the new foods for 2019 on the Minnesota State Fair website.

Candied Bacon Donut Sliders with Raspberry Wine Slushie

Candied bacon donut sliders drizzled with balsamic and paired with a raspberry wine smoothie at the Minnesota State Fair

Located in the Minnesota Wine Country pavilion, these candied bacon donut sliders were to die for. They’re candied bacon sandwiched between a mini donut bun and drizzled with balsamic and a dusting of powdered sugar. You should pair them with some Minnesota wine or a flavored wine slushie!

Cheese Curd Macaroni And Cheese

Cheese Curd Mac & Cheese from Oodles of Noodles at the Minnesota State Fair

Sold by Oodles of Noodles, this macaroni and cheese had cheese curds mixed in and was paired with a breadstick.

Candied Bacon BLT

Candied bacon BLT sandwich from The Blue Barn at the Minnesota State Fair

At the Blue Barn, you’ll find a candied bacon BLT. Also located here is a Caramel Apple Pi Cider. Yum!

Carpe Diem From The Rabbit Hole

A new food in 2016, this miso waffle cone with vanilla ice cream and a strawberry balsamic filling was a big hit at the Minnesota State Fair.

Created by the Rabbit Hole, a Korean eatery at the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis, this decadent dish featured a miso waffle cone filled with a strawberry balsamic filling, vanilla ice cream, graham cracker crumble, and fresh strawberry. The Rabbit Hole has created a new dish for 2017, which you’ll find at A Taste of Midtown Global Market in the International Bazaar from Aug. 30 to Sept. 4.

Planning to try these Minnesota State Fair foods this year?

Whether you are a season veteran or rookie like I was in 2016, you may find some of the following resources helpful for eating your way around the Minnesota State Fair. I know I felt completely overwhelmed walking into the fair without a game plan!

First of all, I suggest using the Minnesota State Fair’s food finder before you get to the fair to figure out where your favorite foods are located. Also, before you go, check out all the new foods at this year’s fair. Like beer? I found some tasty ones at the 2016 fair, and you’ll find specialty brews for 2019, too. You can also browse the Google map I’ve provided below.

Where To Stay Near The Minnesota State Fair

Are you attending the Minnesota State Fair from out of town? If so, I recommend staying near the fairgrounds in Roseville like I did. From the Home2 Suites by Hilton, I was able to take a shuttle to the buses that run to and from the fairgrounds. You can find hotels near the fairgrounds and compare rates now on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.

You can use the search box below to find and book your hotel now!



Booking.com

If you liked this post, you may also like …

  • Minnesota State Fair: Where Beer Tastes Like Donuts And Cookies
  • Summer Road Trip Tips: How To Pack Your Cooler For 10 Midwest Culinary Destinations
  • Six Reasons To Stay In Roseville When Visiting The Twin Cities
  • Tasting Northeast Minneapolis With Twin Cities Food Tours

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9 Foods to Eat at the Minnesota State Fair

Which of these Minnesota State Fair foods do you want to eat?

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Written by:
erinklema
Published on:
August 26, 2017
Thoughts:
18 Comments

Categories: Food, MinnesotaTags: Deep Fried Food, Foods On A Stick, Minnesota, Minnesota State Fair, State Fair Food, Twin Cities

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carmen Edelson

    September 1, 2017 at 6:43 am

    WOW! This reminds me that I’ve never been to a state fair… I need to change that. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  2. kylieuk

    August 31, 2017 at 7:50 pm

    That all sounds sooooo yummy! I was hoping to go this year but typically it clashed with school (where I work!) starting again! Maybe next year!

    Reply
  3. Lena

    August 31, 2017 at 3:14 pm

    May I just say YUM! I don’t even know what to want first!

    Reply
  4. Caitlin

    August 31, 2017 at 11:08 am

    OMG. I have a friend who lives in Edina who keeps wanting me to visit for the State Fair and now I just might have to!

    Reply
  5. Claire

    August 31, 2017 at 4:06 am

    Deep fried cookie dough… i’m not sure if that is delicious or disgusting haha

    Reply
    • erinklema

      August 31, 2017 at 9:10 am

      As someone who eats the dough as I make chocolate chip cookies, I found it delicious. It’s definitely unusual though!

      Reply
  6. jordyngalan

    August 31, 2017 at 1:56 am

    omg the bacon and wine smoothie! I need that in my life!

    Reply
  7. Onlygirl4boyz

    August 30, 2017 at 10:11 pm

    My stomach is officially growling!! So yummy!!

    Reply
  8. Amanda at The Light Owl

    August 30, 2017 at 6:41 pm

    I love fair food so much. Those fried pickles and that mac and cheese is calling my name!

    Reply
  9. Candy

    August 30, 2017 at 6:24 pm

    OMG YES!!! Deep fried cookie dough and cheese curds please! My favorite.

    Reply
  10. Jordan

    August 30, 2017 at 10:16 am

    That deep fried cookie dough is calling my name! And also the cookies, pretzels, and carpe diem. Bring on all the carbs!

    Reply
    • erinklema

      August 30, 2017 at 10:21 am

      It sounds like you have the perfect attitude for a day at the Minnesota State Fair. It really is all about the carbs!

      Reply
  11. carolcolborn

    August 29, 2017 at 12:20 pm

    Wow, lots of different selections from the ones we had at the Puyallup State Fair!

    Reply
  12. Lara Dunning

    August 29, 2017 at 1:08 am

    There is nothing quite like fair food. I don’t go to fairs often, so when I do I feel no guilt about indulging. Fried pickles first and the carpe diem would be the first foods on my list.

    Reply
  13. RobRob @TravelLatte(.net)

    August 28, 2017 at 11:21 pm

    It’s a good thing state fairs only come around once a year. All of those goodies are so tempting! Maybe boring, but corn dogs and fried pickles are two of our favorites. But those candied bacon donut sliders, and Carpe Diem…yum! Thanks for teasing us with the yummies on #WeekendWanderlust! 😉

    Reply
  14. Carrie R

    August 28, 2017 at 6:54 am

    The foods are the best part of the fair! 🙂 This all looks amazing, but I think I would have to go for the Carpe Diem first.

    Reply
  15. Ruth

    August 27, 2017 at 8:57 pm

    I kept thinking, I want to try this and that as I was scrolling down. Then, that Rabbit Hole blew my mind. I want to try that for sure. There are a lot of interesting things at this fair. No doubt each state has its classics serve to the public . That is why it sounds so interesting to attend a fair in a different state than yours. #WeekendWanderlust

    Reply
  16. Mallory

    August 27, 2017 at 2:28 pm

    I want to eat those cookies so badly! I first saw them on the travel channel. Cookies by the bucket – my word!

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Erin, and welcome to my culinary travel blog! I'm a proud Michigander sharing culinary adventures with you from the Midwest and beyond. Though I'm exploring the world one bite at a time, I'm confident I could live on pizza and red wine. I mean, if I really had to.

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