It’s that special time of year again. The warm scent of fried Oreos and funnel cake linger in the air. The grating sounds of a Ferris wheel making its thousandth revolution and the jubilant buzzing carnival games echo in concert. Ladies and gentlemen, the Florida State Fair is here — almost.
While we love the regular fried foods, we’ve been desensitized to the classics and now crave more innovation when it comes to the fair’s history of epic sweets. Somehow, the vendors and organizers have upped the fried ante. Here are 5 of the most over-the-top foods you can get at the Florida State Fair this year.
*Photo courtesy of Florida State Fair
Giant Mozzarella Stick
Corn dogs are great. Turkey legs are tasty. Cake pops are exquisite. What do they have in common? They’re convenient handheld treats. But they have nothing on Angela Pizza’s giant mozzarella stick.
Would it be okay to carry a giant can of marinara sauce to dip it in?
*Photo courtesy of Florida State Fair
Fried Cookie Dough
How do you make edible cookie dough better? You fry it. That’s the Florida State Fair way. These sweet bites are made by the Happy Dough.
Want more than chocolate chip? The vendor is also offering peanut butter dough and birthday cake mix.
*Photo courtesy of Florida State Fair
Cuban Pizza
That’s right, it’s a Cuban sandwich on pizza and it’s coming to the Florida State Fair courtesy of the Pizza Emporium.
Slices of ham and pickle, roast pork and a mix of mozzarella and Swiss cheeses. We’re all in on this new Cuban-style pizza craze.
*Photo courtesy of Florida State Fair
The Birds Nest
This is a pasta dish you can eat with your hands — and we are so okay with that. Angel hair pasta is wrapped around sea scallops and fried golden brown.
The dish is topped with a lobster cream sauce. The Birds nest is certainly a step above your average fair food. Thanks for bringing it to life, Lock and Dam Eatery.
*Photo courtesy of Florida State Fair
Red Beans and Rice Funnel Cake
You’ve heard of funnel cake, but have you heard of red beans and rice funnel cake? Probably not. The Best Around is ready to make it one of your new go-to treats. This cake is super savory. Red beans and rice are mixed into the cake batter.
The entire treat is topped with sausage, onions, peppers and beans. It’s a hearty reimagining of one of the most iconic fair foods.
The Florida State Fair takes place from February 7-18 at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 US Hwy. 301 North. Click here for tickets and details.
