Yes, Fried Kool-Aid is a Carnival Delight
People go to the carnival for the atmosphere, rides, and games, but it's also to try some wild culinary concoctions. It might be a deep-fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a bacon-wrapped turkey leg. Whatever it is, it's sure to be fun and Instagram-worthy. Here are the 20 most outrageous carnival food items in America.
1. Deep-Fried Butter
This might be the most indulgent food you can buy at a carnival. It takes a stick of butter, freezes it, dips it in batter, and then deep-fries it until it's perfect. The crispy exterior perfectly complements the warm, buttery center. It's sometimes dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with honey.
2. Fried Kool-Aid
This carnival delicacy is made by mixing Kool-Aid powder into a donut-like batter and then frying it into tiny balls that are tart and taste like fruit punch. This bizarre treat is delicious and oddly nostalgic.
3. Bacon-Wrapped Deep-Fried Oreos
Oreos have long been a staple of carnival food experimentation, but wrapping them in bacon before frying them takes it to a whole other level. The salty bacon balances the cookie's sweetness, and the batter locks in all its creamy goodness.
4. Krispy Kreme Donut Burger
This sweet and savory burger replaces buns with glazed Krispy Kreme donuts. This change transforms the burger into something you've never tasted before. Every bite is a bit shocking, but it's also highly addictive.
5. Deep-Fried Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
The most classic kids' food gets a carnival makeover. This sandwich with thick layers of peanut butter and jelly is dipped in batter, fried to perfection, and then finished with powdered sugar. The peanut butter is nice and melted, and the jelly oozes.
6. Pizza Cone
This carnival creation is a pizza shaped like an ice cream cone and stuffed with cheese, pepperoni, sauce, and your favorite toppings. It's not the weirdest food item you can find at most carnivals, but it's truly satisfying, hearty, and filling.
7. Deep-Fried Twinkies
Twinkies alone could be a carnival staple, but when you dunk them in batter and fry them, they become iconic. The outside is crispy, and the cream filling turns to a warm and gooey delight. This carnival dessert is usually topped with chocolate or powdered sugar, and it's a total guilty pleasure.
8. Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Leg
Turkey legs are at most carnivals and state fairs, but wrapping them in crispy, smoky bacon makes them an excessively good, oversized, and indulgent dinner item. It's usually served on a stick, creating a fun experience for any carnival foodie.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America on Wikimedia
9. Deep-Fried Bubblegum
Yes, this is a thing at carnivals, but it's a bit of sleight of hand. It's not actually made with bubblegum, but instead uses bubblegum-flavored marshmallow dipped in batter and fried. It's a hot, chewy, and sweet carnival treat, and made even better when topped with colorful icing or rainbow sprinkles.
10. Hot Beef Sundae
What can we tell ya? Carnivals are weird. Served in an ice cream cone, this savory carnival dish features mashed potatoes, roast beef, gravy, shredded cheese, and a cherry tomato on top. It looks like a dessert, but tastes like a wonderful comfort food dinner.
11. Fried Pickle Chips with Ranch
Pickles have been hanging around carnival grounds for decades, but their latest culinary innovation involves frying them into pickle chips and dipping them into ranch. It's crunchy, salty, and you'll love the hint of vinegar.
12. Spaghetti and Meatball-On-a-Stick
Classic Italian comfort food collides with carnival cuisine. Giant meatballs are skewered, wrapped in spaghetti, battered, and then deep-fried. Basically, it's a handheld pasta dish and is totally bizarre and clever.
13. Deep-Fried Ice Cream Cheeseburger
Ice cream in the middle of a cheeseburger sounds off-putting, but give it a chance. This fusion oddity pairs beef, melty cheese, and sweet fried ice cream patties. Be prepared for an eating experience that's hot, cold, salty, and sweet in every bite.
David Foodphototasty on Unsplash
14. Donut-Battered Frog Legs
Frog legs are already an adventurous carnival item, but smothering them in donut batter and frying them might be worthy of the carnival food hall of fame. It's surprisingly balanced, delicious, and makes for a fun story to tell your friends after you're done.
David Reber from Kansas City, USA on Wikimedia
15. Deep-Fried Avocado Bites
Only at a carnival can you find an unhealthy way to eat an avocado. To make this delightful snack, slice avocados and then bread and fry them, and serve with ranch or a spicy dipping sauce.
16. Chocolate-Covered Corn Dog
The classic corndog gets a carnival makeover by covering it in silky-smooth chocolate. It's a fun and satisfying salty-sweet combo that will surprise your palate.
17. Deep-Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
In this carnival food, macaroni and cheese are rolled into balls, breaded, and fried. The creamy pasta center balances the crunchy exterior perfectly. At carnivals, they are often served on skewers with a cheese sauce drizzle.
18. Cotton Candy Burrito
Picture this: a giant sheet of cotton candy as a tortilla wrapped around ice cream with sprinkles. It's a visually stunning dessert that's also unbelievably sweet and indulgent.
19. Ramen Noodle Burger
Instead of a traditional burger bun, this carnival food uses crispy fried ramen noodle patties. The crunchy exterior and chewy inside are weird yet enjoyable.
20. Deep-Fried Beer
A Texas twist on carnival food, this is ravioli-shaped pockets filled with beer and then deep-fried. Each time you bite in, warm beer gushes into your mouth. You need to use a lot of skill to eat deep-fried beer without burning yourself or making a mess, but it's totally worth it.
