With 84 new foods at the 2026 N.C. State Fair, there might just be too many to try in one visit. But the vendors who are quenching thirsts and satisfying hunger at the 10-day long event, held Oct. 15-25, 2026, in Raleigh, borrowed from viral trends, global cuisines and nostalgic flavors for inspiration.
These deep-fried and over-the-top dishes are designed to catch the eye and tempt the taste buds in unexpected ways. We are talking pickles in cheesecake, sweet in the spicy, and Biscoff in everything.
If you'd like to make a plan for your fair visit, you can likely get something delicious that will also make an interesting social media post if you follow some of these trends that will be everywhere on the midway. Here's a look at some of those
must-try foods.
Biscoff is on
The spiced speculoos cookie and two of it's popular variations -- Biscoff and cookie butter -- appear in about 10 of the new food items from fair vendors this year. There's the sweet-and-savory Caramel Biscoff Mozzarella Korean-style dog from GoldenKdog and two selections from Fluffy’s Hand Cut Donuts -- a Cookie Butter Cheesecake Donut as well as the iced-coffee creation, the Cookie Butter Coffee Float.
The cookie also features in the winner of Best New Sweet Food at a preview event before the fair. The Biscoff ‘Nana Puddin’ from Tropical Delights is a cup of pudding soft serve layered with cookie butter and Biscoff crumbles.
The tip of the pickle spear
Briny flavor is just unbeatable as pickle creations return in new and different ways this year. Get pickle chips topped with hot honey and pimento cheese from Hot Chester’s Gators & Taters or try the Dill Devils, cream-cheese filled pickle boats, from Davis Concessions/Mr. Pickle. But one of the most unique pickle options is the Pickle Cheesecake, also from Mr. Pickle. It's a slice of New York-style cheesecake (on a stick, of course) coated in white chocolate and rolled in crunchy pickle chips.
International flair
Among the new selections, you can find bites inspired by Latin American, Caribbean, Korean, Mediterranean and Central European food traditions, making the N.C. State Fair a true melting pot of flavors. Look for empanadas filled with everything from oxtail to crabcakes. Fair favorite vendors are also back -- Cool Runnings Jamaican has a new Jerk Lobster Roll and Bulkogi has a Korean fried chicken sandwich. The fusion Dubai Burger is from Urban Olive Mediterranean. And classic Hungarian fry bread, with toppings like sour cream and cheese, is from Magdalena’s Chimney Cakes. For dessert, check out the Strawberry Cheesecake Churro Nachos.
Hot ham and cheese
The fair loves diverse flavors, but also believes in the power of North Carolina ingredients and classic, Southern foods. The Pork Belly Burnt Ends, served over seasoned fries and topped with JoCo white sauce from Fat Boys BBQ, was the winner of the Media's Choice for Best New Savory Food this year.
And Granny’s Country Kitchen is serving Carolina Yam N Ham Biscuits, or sweet potato biscuits with country ham. Or go for the Cajun Fried Okra, also with N.C. country ham, from Ragin Cajun or the Pimento Cheese Bombs from The Cheese Curd Shack. Sweet potato fries get a full-on dessert treatment with marshmallow cream and caramel thanks to Lawrence & Perry Barbeque. But one wild take on Southern is from Another Food Truck. The Nashville Hot Peach Sundae, is a sweet and savory layered creation of Nashville hot chicken, warm spiced peaches, cornbread crumble and a hot honey drizzle.
Drinks as desserts
There are so, so many ways to satisfy your sweet tooth at the fair. One of the trends that's bigger this year are colorful beverages topped with lots of extras. Think flavored syrups, creamy cold foam, slushies, and sodas with candy and toppings. The Campfire S’mores Dirty Soda from Quench is root beer with toasted marshmallow syrup, cold foam and chocolate drizzle. This vendor also has a sparkly Princess Peach Shimmer Lemonade. And Tiki Tea's Red, White and Birthday Brew is a birthday cake flavored tea that can come in a limited-edition patriotic jar or birthday-cake cup, topped with a cupcake, stars and stripes candy and a small American flag.
Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews.You can reach her at aballard@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Biscoff, pickles and global flavors dominate NC State Fair menus
