Deep-Fried Delicacies from the State Fair of Texas

Biscoff Delight

The 2023 winner in the “Sweet” category, created by Stephen El Gidi, features a classic New York–style cheesecake coated with Belgian chocolate; an outer layer of crushed Biscoff cookies; a drizzle of Lotus Biscoff spread; and finally a perfectly placed Biscoff cookie topper.

Bourbon Banana Caramel Sopapillas 

The brainchild of Cody and Lauren Hays, these decadent sopapillas—winner of the 2023 “Most Creative” honors—are topped with vanilla-caramel-infused bananas, sweet bourbon syrup, crushed candied pecans, sweetened mascarpone cheese, and crumbled Nilla Wafers.

Deep-Fried Pho

Michelle Le’s creation, winner in the 2023 “Savory” category, takes a Vietnamese comfort food, rolls it up, and deep-fries it Texas-style.

Big Red Chicken Bread

This chicken-wing-topped donut, glazed in icing flavored with Texas’s popular Big Red soda, took home a previous year’s “Sweet” award.

Ruth’s Stuffed Fried Taco Cone

A cone-shaped tortilla filled with slow-cooked barbacoa, black beans, and cilantro lime rice claimed a past title in the “Savory” category.

Fla’Mango Tango 

A past “Most Creative” award went to a deep-fried mango twist drizzled with citrus glaze and served alongside strawberry mango sorbet.

Arroz Con Leche

This deep-fried cinnamon-spiced concoction, coated with puffed rice cereal, stole a previous award in the “Sweet” category. 

Cotton Candy Taco 

A previous “Most Creative”award went to a graham cracker taco shell stuffed with organic cane-sugar cotton candy.

Deep-Fried Chicken Noodle Soup on a Stick

Behold, classic chicken noodle soup, fried and served on a stick alongside savory broth.

Deep-Fried Froot Loops 

Froot Loops folded into whipped cream and then fried create this fair-worthy breakfast dish.

Deep-Fried Shepherd’s Pie

Cream and cheddar cheese potato balls filled with ground beef, gravy, and mixed vegetables add up to a pie unlike any other.

Deep-Fried Peaches 

A past winner featured deep-fried peaches coated in cinnamon, ginger, and coconut tempura batter.

Deep-Fried Skillet Potato Melt in a Boat 

This potato skin hugs a Babybel cheese loaf, diced sausage patties, and skillet potatoes.

Fat Smooth

Cafe Du Monde beignet batter coats these deep-fried Belgium mini cream puffs, topped with powdered sugar, chocolate drizzle, and caramel sauce.

Fernie’s Fried Texas Sheet Cake

Dr. Pepper icing finishes a deep-fried chocolate brownie coated in ground Cocoa Puffs, cinnamon sugar, and panko.

Fernie’s Hoppin John Cake with Jackpot Sauce 

A combination of black-eyed peas, white rice, green onions, spicy smoked sausage, and a secret blend of spices came together for an award-winning dish.

Fernie’s Orange You Glad We Fried It

A creamy blend of chiffon orange cake, whipped cream, and orange preserves fill these fluffy puff pastries.

Surfin’ Turfin’ Tator Boat

A baked potato cradles seasoned steak and lobster meat crowned with a single lobster claw.

Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger

This hearty creation sandwiches a grilled burger patty, queso, and bacon between two funnel cake buns.

Gulf Coast Fish Bowl

A fish bowl gets filled to the brim with boozy blue punch, Nerds, and Swedish Fish, then topped with a pineapple lid.

Pinot Noir Popcorn

Kettle corn coated in pinot noir burgundy wine powder pairs perfectly with cheddar cheese popcorn. 

State Fair Fun-L Cake Ice Cream

Powdered sugar and pieces of funnel cake take center stage in this fair-inspired ice cream flavor.

Sweet Bakin’ Bacon

Sponge cake gets filled with cream, wrapped in bacon, and of course, deep-fried. 

Texas Fajita Fries

Deep-fried beef fajita strips sprinkled with a sriracha spice mix sit in a bread cone.  

Texas Fried Hill Country

Two green tomatoes serve as the buns for a flash-fried mozzarella and basil sandwich.

Texas Twang-kie 

Moist cornbread cake mingles with grilled chicken white bean chili. 

The Tamale Donut

Deep-fried pork carnitas and masa get a drizzle of jalapeno salsa.