10 Weird Indiana Fair Foods That Are Shockingly Delicious

Indiana state fairs are legendary for pushing culinary boundaries beyond imagination. Every summer, food vendors compete to create the most outrageous, mouth-watering concoctions that both shock and delight fairgoers.
I’ve spent years sampling these bizarre delicacies, and while some sound absolutely terrifying, they’ve earned their place in Indiana fair food fame for good reason.
1. Deep-Fried Butter on a Stick

Butter lovers, rejoice! This artery-clogging masterpiece features a frozen stick of butter dipped in sweet batter, deep-fried until golden, then drizzled with honey. The butter melts inside, creating a warm, custard-like center.
First time I tried this caloric monster, I nearly fainted from the richness. But somehow, that crispy exterior gives way to a velvety center that makes you forget you’re essentially eating fried fat!
2. Chocolate-Covered Bacon

Sweet meets savory in this mind-bending treat. Thick-cut bacon strips are cooked to perfect crispiness, then dipped in rich milk chocolate. Some vendors even sprinkle them with sea salt or candy pieces for extra flavor explosions.
The combination sounds bizarre until that first bite when the smoky, salty bacon cuts through the sweet chocolate coating. It’s the ultimate proof that opposites really do attract on your taste buds!
3. Pickle Pizza

Pickle fanatics, this one’s for you! This controversial pizza features a garlic sauce base topped with mozzarella cheese and generous dill pickle slices. Some vendors add ranch drizzle or bacon bits for extra zing.
I was skeptical until my first slice at the Hendricks County Fair. The briny pickle flavor somehow perfectly complements the creamy cheese and garlicky base.
My pickle-hating friends became instant converts after one reluctant bite!
4. Donut Burger

Breakfast meets lunch in this sweet-savory mashup. A juicy beef patty nestled between two glazed donut halves, often with cheese and bacon for good measure. The warm burger melts the donut glaze, creating a sticky, messy delight.
Your brain will struggle to categorize this creation as your teeth sink through soft donut into savory beef. The contrast between sweet and salty creates an oddly satisfying experience that’s worth the napkin stockpile you’ll need!
5. Fried Kool-Aid Balls

Remember that powdered drink mix from childhood? Some genius decided to mix it into batter and deep-fry it! These colorful dough balls taste exactly like liquid Kool-Aid but with a warm, cake-like texture.
The bright red or blue spheres might look like ordinary donut holes, but one bite releases that unmistakable fruity punch flavor.
Last year at the Indiana State Fair, I watched my nephew’s eyes widen with delight as childhood nostalgia met fair food innovation!
6. Spaghetti Ice Cream

No, it’s not pasta—it’s an optical illusion dessert! Vanilla ice cream is pressed through a potato ricer to create noodle-like strands, topped with strawberry sauce “marinara” and white chocolate “parmesan shavings.”
I nearly pranked my daughter with this one at the Elkhart County Fair. The look on her face was priceless when I ordered spaghetti for dessert!
The creamy vanilla strands with fruity sauce create a delightful texture adventure that tastes nothing like actual pasta.
7. Hot Beef Sundae

This savory twist on a classic dessert looks like ice cream but delivers dinner! Mashed potatoes form the “ice cream” base, topped with roast beef, gravy “chocolate sauce,” cheddar “sprinkles,” and a cherry tomato on top.
The first time I ordered this at the Indiana State Fair, nearby kids did a double-take at what looked like me eating an ice cream sundae for lunch!
Each bite delivers comfort food flavors in a whimsical presentation that’s both Instagram-worthy and stomach-satisfying.
8. Fried Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

Childhood lunch gets a fair makeover! A regular PB&J sandwich is dipped in funnel cake batter, deep-fried until golden, then dusted with powdered sugar. The heat transforms the filling into a warm, gooey center.
Biting through the crispy exterior reveals molten peanut butter and jelly that’s practically bubbling. The contrast between the crunchy shell and the melty inside elevates this lunchbox staple to dessert status that’ll have you licking your fingers!
9. Alligator On A Stick

Yes, real alligator meat! Marinated chunks of alligator tail are skewered, breaded, and deep-fried to tender perfection. The flavor falls somewhere between chicken and fish with a unique texture that’s surprisingly addictive.
“Tastes like chicken” doesn’t quite cover it. My first bite at the Morgan County Fair left me shocked at how tender and flavorful this exotic meat could be!
It’s often served with a spicy remoulade sauce that complements the mild meat perfectly.
10. Cotton Candy Burrito

Dessert disguised as dinner! A large sheet of cotton candy is flattened and wrapped around scoops of ice cream and colorful cereal or crushed candy pieces. The cotton candy acts as a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth “tortilla.”
When you take a bite, the cotton candy begins dissolving from contact with the ice cream, creating a magical flavor fusion.
The textural contrast between melting sugar fluff, cold creamy ice cream, and crunchy toppings creates a carnival in your mouth!