By Frances Armstrong

Writer/Reporter

A look back at some of the strangest Minnesota State Fair foods and what people are saying about the new nostalgic offerings for 2026.

We all love going to the Minnesota State Fair. Whether you are a longtime fairgoer or new to the Great Minnesota Get-Together, food and drinks are a major part of the experience, along with rides, concerts, games and music. The fair is known for classics such as Pronto Pups, cheese curds and Sweet Martha’s cookies, but every year new foods give fairgoers something strange, sweet, salty or surprising to talk about.

After reading about the 2026 foods in the Pioneer Press, I decided to ask family members, friends, coworkers and strangers: What is the weirdest food or drink you have tried at the State Fair? Would you try any of this year’s new offerings? The responses were funny, and many people had similar reactions. While some fairgoers are willing to try almost anything, others would rather stick with the classics.

The weirdest foods and drinks

One food people had strong opinions about was dill pickle pizza. Some people said they loved it and would eat it again, while others were not convinced. “Dill should never be on a pizza,” one person said. Another described it more simply: “Gross. I would never try it.” Alligator bites also came up in conversations about unusual fair foods. “It tastes like river water, swampy and disgusting,” one person said. “I do not recommend the alligator bites.” Blueberry cheese curds received a more positive response. The combination of sweet blueberries and salty, crunchy cheese curds might sound strange, but one fairgoer said they loved them. The purple-colored curds were created for Prince Day at the fair in 2016, celebrating the Minnesota artist through food, color and music.

The foods are not the only unusual part of the fair. Drinks and beers can be just as creative. One person remembered trying cotton candy beer, which had a pink color and a rim dusted with pink and purple crystallized sugar. “It tasted just like cotton candy,” they said. “Sweet, fun and still like beer.” Other memorable drinks included butterfly pea-flower cotton candy tea and Bloody Mary tea. These black teas can be tart and bold, while others are mild and sweet. For fairgoers looking for a nonalcoholic option, tea drinks can be a refreshing mocktail-style choice on a hot day.

The classics still win

For many people, the classics are still the best part of the fair. Some fairgoers said the classic foods are the “weirdest” in their own way, but they are also the foods people return to every year. Favorites include Pronto Pups, fresh-cut French fries, cream puffs, cheese curds, roasted corn on the cob, corn dogs, pickles, bacon on a stick and Sweet Martha’s cookies.

Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar remains a favorite for many fairgoers. The line can be long, but people are willing to wait for a bucket overflowing with warm cookies. Sometimes there are so many cookies that people have to eat a few before they can put the lid on. I have even seen cookies fall from a bucket onto the ground, followed by someone picking one up and eating it anyway. That is how much people love Sweet Martha’s cookies. As someone who loves fair food, I would say Sweet Martha’s cookies are still a classic because the smell, the long line and the overflowing bucket are part of the fair experience.

New foods for 2026

The new foods for 2026 bring plenty of sweet, salty and unusual combinations. One of the most talked-about new items is Dill with it, Cookie! The vegetarian cookie includes white chocolate chips, finely chopped dill pickles and fresh dill, then is finished with sugar and Maldon sea salt. Created by Holman’s Table, it is available at Urban Glow Mocktails in the North End, across from the North End Event Center. At a recent family picnic, I asked people whether they would try it. “I’m not adventurous enough,” one person said. Others responded with “Gross,” “You have to be kidding,” “Yuck,” “What?” and “No way.” A few people were more open to trying it. “I don’t know. Maybe,” one person said.

Pickle Pie also received plenty of reactions. It has a pie crust filled with chopped pickles, pickle juice and cream cheese, topped with savory whipped frosting made with ranch and Cholula Hot Sauce. It is garnished with a gherkin and dill and is available at LuLu’s Public House in the West End Market, south of Schilling Amphitheater. For some people, this one may be a double-dog dare. “I don’t even know if I am daring enough to try it,” I said. Cracklin’ Corn Ribs at The Blue Barn are another interesting option. The corn cob quarters are dipped in tempura batter, fried, brushed with seasoned butter and topped with bacon ranch, green onion and candied jalapeños. They are served over pork rinds at The Blue Barn in the West End Market, south of the History and Heritage Center. It sounds savory, crunchy and a little spicy, which makes it a different take on corn on the cob.

For a sweeter choice, the Caramel Apple Iced Tea at Loon Lake Iced Tea combines black tea with natural tart apple flavor and caramel-infused cold foam. The drink is garnished with a Caramel Apple Pops lollipop and is available on the west side of Underwood Street between Wright and Dan Patch avenues. I have tried several drinks from Loon Lake Iced Tea, and they are flavorful and refreshing. On a hot fair day, a cold tea drink is a great option, and the price is reasonable.

Another item that sounds both sweet and savory is the Apple Donut Ham Grinder. It features First Kiss apples from Pleasant Valley Orchard that are sliced into rings, battered, deep-fried and tossed in cinnamon sugar. The apples are stacked with sliced uncured ham from Hidden Stream Farm, dressed arugula, Crybaby Craig’s Hot Honey, herb-whipped ricotta and a toasted hoagie roll from Emma Krumbee’s Bakery. It is available at the Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop on the north side of Dan Patch Avenue between Cooper and Cosgrove streets. The Dubai Whoopie Pie has pistachio cream sandwiched between two dark chocolate cakes and is rolled in Dino’s Dubai Crunch topping made with shredded filo, crushed pistachios, honey and brown sugar. The vegetarian dessert is available at Dino’s Gyros on the north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets. For fairgoers who love classic mini donuts, Strawberry Crunch Mini Donuts may be an easier new item to try. The strawberry donuts are dusted with vanilla sugar, drizzled with vanilla icing and topped with homemade strawberry streusel crunch. They are served in a bucket rimmed with vanilla icing and more streusel crunch at Solem’s Mini Donuts, on the east side of Underwood Street between Murphy and Lee avenues.

Dare someone to try one

The Minnesota State Fair offers classic favorites alongside new foods that are sweet and salty, savory, rich and creamy, tangy and tart, or ooey and gooey. Whether you choose a familiar favorite or try a pickle cookie, fair food is part of what makes the Great Minnesota Get-Together memorable. Bring a friend or family member, dare them to try something new and take pictures of their reaction. Who knows? You may like it.

Happy summer.