Must-Try Indiana State Fair Foods: Taste of the Fair & Classics

Let’s be honest—the food is half the reason we go. Whether you’re into sweet, salty, deep-fried, or straight-up ridiculous, the Indiana State Fair serves up an iconic lineup of eats you won’t want to miss.

The fair’s “Taste of the Fair” competition packs the fairgrounds with wild new creations every August, right alongside the old-school favorites you’ve loved for decades. Here’s your guide to eating your way through it.

Craving fried Oreos and cookie-butter pretzel bites yet? Don’t miss your chance to taste it all — get your Indiana State Fair tickets here!

What is “Taste of the Fair”?

Each summer, vendors across the fairgrounds enter their most creative dishes into the Taste of the Fair competition — a fan-voted contest that spotlights innovation, indulgence, and downright fun.

Dozens of brand-new foods compete each year
Grab a Taste map from info kiosks or download it on your phone
Vote for your favorite by scanning the QR codes at participating booths
Winners earn cash prizes and bragging rights

First Look: The New 2026 Food

The full “Taste of the Fair” lineup usually drops in early July — organizers typically reveal 30 to 40 wild new items right before the gates open. But the first official 2026 newcomer is already here, unveiled in May at the Indy 500 Rookie Celebration:

Blue Raspberry Milkshake (American Dairy Association Indiana Dairy Bar) — a sweet vanilla shake base blended with sour blue raspberry for a tart punch and a smooth, creamy finish. Built for hot August days.

We’ll update this guide the moment the full 2026 new-food list is announced — check back in July.

Returning Fan Favorites

Until the new list lands, the heavy hitters from last season’s Taste of the Fair are expected back at their food trucks — and they’re worth the calories:

Cinnamon Toast Cookie-Butter Pretzel Bites (Wilson Concessions) — the reigning Taste of the Fair winner: warm pretzel bites rolled in cinnamon sugar, smothered in cookie butter and cream-cheese icing, and topped with Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal
The Brunch Mary (Urick Concessions) — a classic Bloody Mary topped with an entire skewer of breakfast favorites
Sun King Cotton Candy Beer — Indy’s Sun King Brewery infuses a traditional ale with real cotton-candy flavor
Pickle Fried Oreos (The Pickle Barrel) — sweet Oreos battered and fried right alongside sour pickles
Bacon Ranch Pickle Pizza (Swains Concessions) — garlic pizza dough loaded with pickle-ranch sauce, mozzarella, bacon, and dill pickle slices
BBQ Machos (Nitro Hog BBQ, in front of the Coliseum) — tortilla chips piled with creamy mac & cheese, smoked pulled pork, and warm cheese sauce

Classic Fair Food You Can’t Skip

Not everything has to be new to be delicious. Here are some tried-and-true legends worth returning for:

Hand-breaded tenderloins (because Indiana, obviously)
Corn dogs as big as your head
Elephant ears dusted with cinnamon sugar
Grilled corn on the cob dipped in butter
Fried pickles, fried Oreos, fried everything

You’ll also find comfort favorites like nachos, pizza, pulled pork, and loaded mac & cheese throughout the Coliseum food court area and main thoroughfares.

Budget Eats: The $5 Value Menu

On a budget? The fair’s $5 Value Menu is back, and it’s bigger than ever:

Every one of the 140+ food vendors is required to offer at least one snack, meal, or drink for $5 or less
Grab the physical $5 Value Menu map at any Prairie Farms Information Booth on-site
Perfect for sampling multiple flavors with friends without breaking the bank

Pro Tips from Seasoned Fairgoers

Go early (before 1 PM) for the shortest food lines
Split dishes with friends so you can try more
Stay hydrated — especially after salty or fried foods
Bring wet wipes — you’ll need them
Don’t skip dessert — it’s basically illegal at the fair

Quick Q&A

Q: What’s the new food at the 2026 Indiana State Fair?

A: The first confirmed 2026 newcomer is the Dairy Bar’s Blue Raspberry Milkshake. The full Taste of the Fair lineup of 30–40 new items is typically announced in early July.

Q: Where can I find the Taste of the Fair map?

A: At info booths throughout the fairgrounds or online at indianastatefair.com. You’ll find the $5 Value Menu map at any Prairie Farms Information Booth.

Grab a Bite & Cast Your Vote

Whether you’re a first-time taster or a funnel-cake fanatic, this year’s fair food lineup is shaping up to be one for the record books. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite “Taste of the Fair” contender and share your top picks online.

Tag us in your best bites—we want to see what’s on your plate. Happy eating, Hoosiers!