11 Forgotten Indiana Snacks That Only True Locals Still Brag About
Indiana’s culinary roots stretch well past cornfields and pork tenderloin sandwiches. Tucked inside small-town bakeries, family-run kitchens, and roadside stands are snacks with stories as rich as the flavors themselves.
Hoosiers have been munching on these classics for generations – sweet, savory, and everything in between – and they’ve managed to outlast countless flashy national brands.
Consider this your nostalgic road trip through the bites Indiana locals still proudly claim as their own.
1. Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie
Locals call it ‘the pie that whispers vanilla.’ These custardy delights from Wick’s Bakery transform simple ingredients into creamy magic without using eggs.
My grandmother would drive two hours just to bring one home for Sunday dinner. The caramelized top cracks like crème brûlée while the silky filling beneath melts on your tongue.
Winchester’s Mrs. Wick’s still crafts these treasures the old-fashioned way, and thankfully, they ship nationwide for homesick Hoosiers.
2. Persimmon Pudding
Autumn in southern Indiana means one thing: persimmon trees dropping their sunset-colored fruits for eager locals to gather. The pulp transforms into a dense, spoonable pudding unlike anything you’d find outside the state.
The Mitchell Persimmon Festival celebrates this unique treat each September. Warm cinnamon and nutmeg notes complement the fruit’s natural sweetness.
Look for the deep amber-colored pudding with caramelized edges at southern Indiana diners when persimmons ripen.
3. Tell City Pretzels
Hand-twisted since 1858, these aren’t your average soft mall pretzels. Tell City Pretzels break with a satisfying snap that echoes through southern Indiana kitchens.
The secret lies in the dense, almost bread-like interior surrounded by a dark, roasty exterior. German bakers perfected this recipe generations ago, and the technique remains largely unchanged.
Growing up, we’d spread them with pimento cheese at family gatherings. The Jasper factory store still sells them in distinctive white bags with blue lettering.
4. Yoder Popcorn “Tiny Tender”
From Amish country comes popcorn – and in 2021, Indiana named popcorn the official state snack. Yoder’s “Tiny Tender” variety features kernels half the size of commercial types.
The nearly hull-less popped corn practically dissolves on your tongue. No getting bits stuck in your teeth here.
Families have driven to Topeka for generations to stock up on these heritage kernels that pop into fluffy clouds with genuine corn flavor, not just salt and butter vehicles.
5. Albanese Gummy Bears
Merrillville’s sweetest export claims to be the “World’s Best” gummies, and most Hoosiers won’t argue. Unlike typical gummy bears that fight your jaw muscles, these yield with a tender bite that releases a burst of genuine fruit flavor.
The factory store resembles Willy Wonka’s playground. Bins overflow with colorful bears, butterflies, and worms in flavors from classic strawberry to exotic mango.
I once witnessed a grown man fill a five-pound bag exclusively with the coveted pineapple bears. No judgment here.
6. Sechler’s Pickles
St. Joe’s claim to fame comes in jars. Since 1921, Sechler’s has transformed cucumbers into crunchy, brine-soaked treasures that grace Hoosier tables year-round.
Their sweet and spicy variety strikes the perfect balance between sugar and heat. The candied pickle rings make unexpected cookie substitutes at holiday gatherings.
The factory showroom lets visitors sample dozens of varieties. During the annual Pickle Festival, the entire town smells like dill and vinegar in the most appetizing way possible.
7. Rise’n Roll Cinnamon Caramel Donuts
Northern Indiana’s most coveted breakfast treat causes traffic jams on Saturday mornings. Rise’n Roll’s signature donut wears a coat of cinnamon-sugar that somehow tastes exactly like caramel without any actual caramel in the recipe.
The Amish-inspired bakery started as a small family operation. Now people drive hours for these pillowy creations.
My cousin once bought four dozen for a family reunion. They disappeared before the main dishes even made it to the table.
8. Schimpff’s Cinnamon Red Hots
Jeffersonville’s oldest candy shop still makes these fiery gems the same way they did in 1891. Fourth-generation confectioners pour molten sugar into copper kettles, creating cinnamon drops that pack genuine heat.
Unlike mass-produced versions, Schimpff’s Red Hots deliver a slow-building warmth that lingers pleasantly. The vintage shop doubles as a museum of candy-making history.
Watch through the glass as artisans hand-craft each batch, filling the store with a spicy-sweet aroma that draws crowds from across the river in Louisville.
9. Cherry Thing-a-Lings
For just four days each February, Batesville’s Schmidt Bakery transforms into a cherry-scented madhouse. Lines form before dawn as locals and pilgrims from neighboring states queue up for these peculiar cherry fritters.
Irregular chunks of dough studded with cherries get deep-fried until golden, then dunked in pink cherry glaze. They’re only available during Presidents’ Day weekend, honoring George Washington’s cherry tree legend.
I’ve seen people buy them by the dozen, their car trunks filled with pink boxes. The limited availability makes them taste even sweeter.
10. Nashville House Fried Biscuits
Brown County’s signature carb isn’t a traditional Southern biscuit. These golden orbs emerge from cast iron skillets with crispy exteriors hiding soft, steamy centers.
The mandatory accompaniment: thick apple butter spiced with cinnamon and cloves. Locals dunk half the biscuit, leaving teeth marks as evidence before going in for another swipe.
Fall foliage tourists wait hours for Nashville House tables, but regulars know it’s these humble fried dough balls, not the scenery, that deserve the real attention.
11. Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor Sodas
Columbus hides a marble-and-onyx time machine disguised as an ice cream parlor. Since 1900, Zaharakos has served fountain sodas in tall glasses that somehow make modern soft drinks taste like flat disappointment.
The Green River soda glows an impossible emerald color while delivering lime flavor that dances on your tongue. Antique dispensers with ornate silver handles control the perfect ratio of syrup to fizzy water.
The 1908 Welte orchestrion provides musical accompaniment, completing the sensory journey back to a sweeter, simpler era.