Are you a foodie planning to attend the annual Minnesota State Fair and wondering what to eat there? Well, you are in luck!
“The Great Minnesota Get-Together” is the largest state fair in the United States, based on daily attendance. As a past attendee, I think the swarms of fairgoers descending upon the Minnesota State Fairgrounds for 12 days in late August through Labor Day weekend have a lot to do with the food.
During my experience as a first-time visitor to the 2016 Minnesota State Fair, I was blown away by the diverse array of foods. These Minnesota State Fair foods ranged from the classic and deep-fried treats you’d expect to find at a Midwestern state fair to truly wild, one-of-a-kind concoctions. And there were plenty of easily portable snacks served on a stick!
If you are looking for the best foods to eat at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair, continue reading for my top picks of traditional favorites and unique new fair foods to try this year.
Disclosure: My admission to the 2016 Minnesota State Fair and hotel accommodations were covered by Visit Roseville. However, all of the food and beers I tried were purchased at my own expense. This post may include affiliate links, and you can read my full disclosure here.
What is the Minnesota State Fair?
The Minnesota State Fair originated as an agricultural fair in the 1850s, aiming to encourage and celebrate farming in the state.
Now, this annual event is an end-of-summer celebration spanning 12 days from late August through Labor Day weekend, featuring agricultural exhibits, amusement rides, nightly concerts with big-name performers, and, of course, a variety of food traditions.
It is the second-largest state fair in the United States, based on overall attendance. As the saying goes, everything is bigger in Texas, where the State Fair of Texas runs for three weeks. Yet, the Minnesota State Fair draws more daily attendees.
2025 Minnesota State Fair: When, Where, and How to Get There
When: Aug. 21 – Sept. 1, 2025
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Ave N, St. Paul, MN 55108
Getting There & Parking:
- Park and ride for free from 30+ locations around the Twin Cities. Click here for locations and more information.
- There is limited on-site vehicle parking, but bicycle and scooter parking is available.
- Motorcycle parking is available on Como Avenue near the International Institute for a fee.
- The taxi drop-off and pick-up location is at the Loop Gate, located at 1741 Como Ave, St. Paul, MN 55108.
- Rideshares have two drop-off and pick-up areas: 1. Outside the North End Gate #2, near Snelling and Hoyt avenues 2. Parking lot south of Como Avenue, across from Gate 7 and the Dairy Building at the south end of the fairgrounds
- Bus transport is available from Metro Transit, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, and SouthWest Transit.
My Experience: Food Lover Meets the Minnesota State Fair
The Roseville Visitors Association, which represents the Twin Cities suburb of Roseville, hosted me as a State Fair newbie, covering my admission for two days to enjoy all the unique foods on a stick and Minnesota State Fair beers my little foodie heart desired.
During my three-night stay at Home2 Suites by Hilton Roseville Minneapolis, I hopped on the complimentary shuttle to a bus that brought fairgoers to the State Fairgrounds. This proved to be a convenient location to stay overnight when visiting the Minnesota State Fair and exploring the greater Twin Cities area.
As I wandered through the fairgrounds, I noticed long lines for buckets of fresh-and-gooey chocolate chip cookies and fairgoers walking with corn-on-the-cob in hand. Deep-fried foods — often served on a stick — were abundantly available, as were truly unique fusions and brand-new foods that were instant hits. It appeared that the Minnesota State Fair foods were a major reason why fairgoers attended year after year.
Based on my experience, I recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and your stretchiest or loosest pants. Also, bring cash to pay for your food and a friend or five to share all these mouthwatering fair foods with you.
Whether you are a rookie, like I was in 2016, or a seasoned fairgoer, let’s take a closer look at the Minnesota State Fair foods to help you pinpoint the tastiest food items this year!
Traditional Minnesota State Fair Foods
Year after year, Minnesotans love these Minnesota State Fair food traditions. Yes, you betcha some of these are foods on a stick!
Pronto Pups
The Pronto Pup has been a Minnesota State Fair tradition since the 1940s, and fairgoers will find these corn dogs made with a not-so-sweet cornmeal batter at multiple locations around the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
This traditional Minnesota State Fair food combines two common themes among the fair food — deep-fried foods and foods served on a stick.
Where to Find Pronto Pups: Pronto Pups, 8 vendors scattered through the fairgrounds
On-a-Stick Foods
This may sound odd, but deep-fried cookie dough on a stick was my favorite food at the fair. That chocolate chip cookie dough was so warm and gooey. Talk about sinfully delicious!
Other foods served on a stick include footlong corn dogs, Korean corn dogs, vegan corn dogs, caramel apples, seasoned alligator sausage, bacon, chocolate-covered buckeyes, chocolate-covered bananas, and so many more.
Where to Find Deep-Fried Cookie Dough on a Stick: Sonny’s Fair Food, Food Building, northwest section
Sweet Martha’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
One of the longest lines that I encountered at the Minnesota State Fair was for Sweet Martha’s chocolate chip cookies.
These warm, gooey cookies are served fresh out of the oven and sold by the cone or bucket.
If you are flying into Minneapolis for the State Fair, the bucket is a better option, as long as you have the luggage space!
Where to Find Freshly Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies: Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar, 3 locations
Mini Donuts
Mini donuts have long been a Minnesota State Fair food tradition. You’ll find mini donuts from multiple vendors, with some putting a unique spin on this beloved State Fair food.
At the 2016 Minnesota State Fair, I tried candied bacon donut sliders that were to-die-for-delicious.
In 2025, try the classic cinnamon-sugar variety at Grandstand Mini Donuts, the new triple chocolate mini donuts at Solem’s Cheese Curds & Mini Donuts, or Boston Cream Mini Donuts at The Donut Family.
Where to Find Mini Donuts: Grandstand Mini Donuts, The Donut Family, Solem’s Cheese Curds & Mini Donuts, Tom Thumb Mini Donuts, and Tiny Tim Donuts
Classic State Fair Foods
As I mentioned, there is no shortage of unique foods at the Minnesota State Fair, but there are also plenty of classic state fair foods, too. You’ll find traditional carnival treats and typical Midwestern state fair fare. Here are a few you shouldn’t miss!
Soft Pretzels
Soft pretzels are a classic fair or carnival food that you’ll find from multiple vendors.
In 2016, used a $2-off coupon in the Blue Ribbon Bargain Book to purchase my pretzel with cheese from the Pretzel Factory.
At the 2025 Minnesota State Fair, the Pretzel Factory has a new offering — a pickle pretzel. As a lover of both of these foods, this salty combination sounds interesting!
Where to Find Soft Pretzels: The Pretzel Factory, west side of Nelson Street, between Carnes and Judson avenues
Cheese Curds
Cheese curds are a staple at Midwestern state fairs, and you’ll find these squeaky cheese-making byproducts served in a variety of ways at the Minnesota State Fair.
At Oodles of Noodles in the Food Building, you can get cheese curd macaroni and cheese paired with a breadstick. At Richie’s Cheese Curd Tacos, try the Dill Pickle Cheese Curd Tacos filled with fried white cheddar curds, dill pickles, cream cheese, lettuce, and topped with a raspberry chipotle sauce.
For more classic preparations, you’ll find battered and deep-fried cheese curds from various vendors. Try the ranch, garlic, or jalapeño-flavored deep-fried cheese curds at Miller’s Flavored Cheese Curds.
Where to Find Cheese Curds: Miller’s Flavored Cheese Curds, Richie’s Cheese Curd Tacos, The Big Cheese Cheese Curds, The Mouse Trap Cheese Curds, Solem’s Cheese Curds & Mini Donuts, and more
Deep-Fried Pickles
Did you even go to the Minnesota State Fair if you didn’t try a deep-fried food? Although you could try deep-fried candy bars or cookie dough, a more traditional fried-food option at the fair is deep-fried pickles. Try them Cajun style or with cream cheese!
Where to Find Deep-Fried Pickles: The Perfect Pickle, 2 locations
Corn on the Cob
Sometimes the best Minnesota State Fair foods are the simplest. When you are looking for a healthier, non-fried State Fair food, stop by the Corn Roast stand for sweet corn-on-the-cob roasted in its husk.
Where to Find Roasted Sweet Corn: Corn Roast, located at the southeast corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Nelson Street
2025 Minnesota State Fair New Foods
Another Minnesota State Fair food tradition is trying new foods each year.
These foods sometimes feature traditional fair food presented in a unique way, or they may fuse a traditional Midwestern dish with the flavors of international cuisines. For example, one of the wildest new editions in 2016 fused Minnesota-produced SPAM with sushi.
Here are a few of the new foods that might be worth trying in 2025 and where to find them:
- Hula Kula Pork — Slowly smoked pork collar caramelized with Hawaiian barbecue sauce, served on a charred banana leaf with sides of banana chips and quick-pickled cucumbers, and coarse red sea salt sprinkled on top, RC’s BBQ
- Pizza Cheese Curd Tacos — Crispy flour-tortilla tacos filled with pizza-flavored cheese curds, pepperoni, and sausage, topped with marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese, Richie’s Cheese Curd Tacos
- Sweet Squeakers — Deep-fried white cheddar cheese curds in a funnel-cake batter and topped with lemon whipped cream, The Blue Barn
- Tater Kegs — Oversized deep-fried tater tots with savory fillings, such as bacon cheddar, breakfast skillet, and Reuben, Greater Tater [New Vendor]
- Ube Butter Banana French Toast — Filipino spring rolls, filled with ube-butter-syrup-soaked French toast strips and caramelized bananas, dusted with powdered sugar, Lumpia City [New Vendor]
Planning to try these Minnesota State Fair foods this year?
Whether you are a seasoned State Fair veteran or a 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 felt completely overwhelmed walking into the fair without a game plan!
First, I suggest using the Minnesota State Fair’s food finder before you arrive at the fair to determine 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 craft beers at the 2016 fair, and you’ll find specialty beverages for 2025, too.
WOW! This reminds me that I’ve never been to a state fair… I need to change that. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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!
May I just say YUM! I don’t even know what to want first!
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!
Deep fried cookie dough… i’m not sure if that is delicious or disgusting haha
As someone who eats the dough as I make chocolate chip cookies, I found it delicious. It’s definitely unusual though!
omg the bacon and wine smoothie! I need that in my life!
My stomach is officially growling!! So yummy!!
I love fair food so much. Those fried pickles and that mac and cheese is calling my name!
OMG YES!!! Deep fried cookie dough and cheese curds please! My favorite.
That deep fried cookie dough is calling my name! And also the cookies, pretzels, and carpe diem. Bring on all the carbs!
It sounds like you have the perfect attitude for a day at the Minnesota State Fair. It really is all about the carbs!
Wow, lots of different selections from the ones we had at the Puyallup State Fair!
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.
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! 😉
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.
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
I want to eat those cookies so badly! I first saw them on the travel channel. Cookies by the bucket – my word!
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