The Minnesota State Fair was certainly a sight to behold.
I visited on Sept. 5 for its grand finale weekend. The fair, one of the largest in the United States, kicked off its 162nd edition on Aug. 27 and concluded on Sept. 7. This year, the fair had close to 2 million visitors, according to attendance data on the Minnesota State Fair website.
The fair, also known as the Great Minnesota Get-Together, has many bells and whistles such as exhibits, competitions, concerts, rides, and more. But the fair food is easily one of its biggest attractions.
Each year vendors introduce new (and often weird) menu items that sometimes pop up at other state fairs across the country.
Here's a recap of my experience as I taste-tested three of the fair's new food items
for 2026 and tried a popular staple.
Cracklin' Corn Ribs
Description on the Minnesota State Fair website: "Corn cob quarters dipped in tempura batter, then fried. Brushed with seasoned butter and topped with bacon ranch, green onion, and candied jalapeños. Served on a bed of pork rinds."
The Cracklin' Corn Ribs, of course, featured corn cut to mimic the size and shape of meat ribs. But the star of the show for me was the incredible sauce, which was packed with rich and unique flavor. The pork rinds were also a nice subtle addition, though I would have preferred more corn.
All in all, a very tasty dish that left me wanting more!
Rating: 8/10
Pumpkin Bar Funnel Cake
Description on the Minnesota State Fair website: "Real pumpkin, cinnamon, sugar and vanilla blended with original funnel cake batter, then deep-fried. Lightly brushed with melted butter and topped with homemade cinnamon cream cheese frosting."
I'm the kind of person who believes that if you go to the fair without having a funnel cake, you didn't really go to the fair.
So I was excited to try the Pumpkin Bar Funnel Cake. Served piping hot, the cinnamon cream cheese frosting was the perfect, sweet topping. An ultimate treat for those like me, who always look to satisfy their sweet tooth.
My favorite of the three new items that I tried.
Rating: 10/10
Pickle Pie
Description on the Minnesota State Fair's website: "Pie crust filled with a blend of chopped pickles, pickle juice and cream cheese. Topped with homemade savory whipped frosting made with ranch and Cholula Hot Sauce. Garnished with a gherkin and a sprinkle of dill."
The Pickle Pie was, as you can imagine, one of the weirdest foods that debuted at the fair this year. Nervous for my stomach, considering the eclectic combination of ingredients, I bravely tried it. I'm pretty indifferent when it comes to pickles, but I was convinced I'd spit it out.
It was edible and wasn't all that bad, though I did not finish it. It was honestly a 4/10 for taste, but I gave them 2 extra points for the hot sauce and creativity. Truly a one-of-a-kind menu item.
This is maybe one that a true pickle lover looking to experiment would really enjoy.
Rating: 6/10
Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar
These chocolate chip cookies are not a new item at the food this year but they are without a doubt one of the most popular items at the fair. Soft, warm and gooey the sweet treat has all the makings of the perfect chocolate chip cookie.
Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar operates three booths which are open for the Minnesota State Fair and other events throughout the year at the fairgounds. On Saturday, the three booths all had consistently long lines further proving the demand for this fair staple each year. Waiting in line passes by fast as you are greeted with the aroma of freshly baked cookies which can be served in a cup or a bucket.
After the cookies are secured, it is a common practice to indulge in the All You Can Drink Milk stands making for the ultimate fair pairing.
People can also buy Sweet Martha's cookie dough at select retailers in Minnesota and in the Midwest.
It's fair food season!
The State Fair of Texas, held in Dallas, is often rivaled with the Minnesota State Fair when it comes to the plethora of fair foods available. Though the Minnesota State Fair is over this year, the State Fair of Texas starts Sept. 25 and ends Oct. 18.
The fair has unveiled itsnew fair foods for the year, and some of the most unique items include Candy Watermelon, Deep Fried Thai Tea Tres Leches Cake and Foot-Long Fries.
Be sure not to miss out on fair food near you. There are thousands of fairs, state and local, across the United States. You can check on the US Fair Maps website to see the fairs happening near you.
Bianca Harris is an editor on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Email her at bharris@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: I visited the Minnesota State Fair. Here's my take on the food
