Minnesota State Fair Photographer

The must have foods at the Minnesota State Fair for your first visit

Minnesota State Fair Food Recommendations from a Minnesota Girl Who Loves Food

The Minnesota State Fair is my personal Christmas in August every year! I make sure to go with my hubby, best friend and family if I can get everyone together! When that doesn’t work out I go multiple times! Totally worth it.
After going to the Great Minnesota Get Together annually there are a couple of foods that I dream about until opening day. If you are looking to make your first visits to the Minnesota State Fair these are the foods I think you HAVE to try at least once.

1) Apple POP

Do you love apples? Well I DO! Most Fair Days are hot and can be wall to wall people in the hot sun. To help cool down in the most delicious way possible I suggest heading over to the apple booth at the Agricultural Building and purchasing a frozen apple pop. It is frozen apple cider that is to die for. There has been multiple occasions where I have gotten more than one. It is delicious and has me going back every year! This is also one of the healthiest options at the fair.

2) Corn On The Cob

Hot, Steaming, and mouth watering, this corn on the cob is a MUST. It is roasted and right off the grill into your outstretched hands. They provide salt for a seasoning option and the line is one of the quickest I encounter at the fair. I don’t know if they put crack as a secondary seasoning but let’s just say I wouldn’t be surprised. I will always be making a stop here. It is located right across on the right side of the Grandstands Building.

3) Cheese Curds from the Mouth Trap

Located in the Food Building, it is the most packed at all times but you will not regret all the touching once you put a piece of their deep fried cheese in your mouth. If you are not from the Midwest this will be a new thing for you. This is 100% worth all your money. For a two person group simply getting the little dish will suffice. But if you are a group of 3 or more I would highly suggest splurging for the bucket. There are other locations that offer cheese curds at the fair. I do believe the best ones that Minnesota has to offer are provided at The Mouth Trap.

4) Deep Fried Pickles

At the west end of the Fair Grounds, you will find a booth offering you gigantic pickles on a stick or a handful of deep fried pickles with ranch dip. I have done the leg work for you and have tried deep fried pickles at all the restaurants; nothing has come even CLOSE to these deep fried pickles sent directly from heaven. They are thickly sliced pickles battered to perfection. You might burn your tongue being unable to wait any longer for your second bite. The regular is my favorite, BUT they do come in a sampler seasoned kind as well if you want to play the pickle field.

5) All You Can Drink Milk

Coming from a family of 7 who loves milk, My Family would shamelessly buy ONE cup of milk and then repeatedly go back to fill said cup until everyone was satisfied. After that we would wash the cup out with some water and return multiple times throughout the day. You know, to make sure we got our FULL Dollars worth out of that one cup. After many gallons of milk where consumed, I think they caught on because the last couple of years they raise the price to $2 per cup. But Options include both White Milk and Chocolate Milk.



6) Martha’s Cookies

With Multiple locations, your Minnesota State Fair Experience would not be complete without you having your first Martha’s Cookies. Worked by an army of youths, Martha’s cookies will be served to you HOT and Ready! You can get a small amount in a little white cone (these kind of remind me of a bigger version of the ones you have in a waiting room and you drink the water from) est 7 to 10 cookies. Or You can get a overflowing bucket of chocolatey cookie goodness to easily save for later as a midnight snack.


I hope you LOVE the foods you try and enjoy an AMAZING first time at the Minnesota State Fair!


Please share with my any foods you think I missed out on below that are a must have for any first timers!



Happy Eating!
Molly