Take a Cavity-Inducing Bite 31 Photos
Whether they're deep-fried or bacon-covered, these classic confections are worth the glucose spike.
Most-Awesome Foodstuffs Known to Mankind 11 Photos
It’s no secret that carnivals feature some of the unhealthiest, and most-awesome, foodstuffs known to mankind. But even these festive funtopias occasionally go too far. Here are some of the wackiest and strangest foods that'll have you tossing your triple-fried cookies all over that dang Gravitron.
Get Carnifull 13 Photos
You don't have to head to a carnival to eat your favorite fair foods. Try making these 12 delicious — and mostly deep-fried — delights at home, ferris wheels optional.
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Going Deeper into the Fryer
Episodes
See Episode GuideCalifornia Dreamin'
Noah is California dreamin' for the Golden State's best carnival eats. He sets things on fire with a Deep Pit BBQ dinner, gets groovy with the Green Goddess and celebrates with Birthday Cake Crepes.
Bayou Bites
Down in Texas and Louisiana, the bayou fairgrounds are full of rich and tasty food. Crawfish, alligator and frogs are all on the menu as host Noah Cappe wades through the swamp to try unusual carnival fare.
Smokey and the Slamwich
Noah Cappe heads to the Arkansas State Fair for the hometown hero, the Arkansas Slamwich, the Stuffed Thanksgiving Taco and more. Then he travels to Florida for the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair, where he indulges in a savory funnel cake called the Chick 'N' Cake, Deep-Fried Rice Pudding and other delights.
Bayou Bites
Down in Texas and Louisiana, the bayou fairgrounds are full of rich and tasty food. Crawfish, alligator and frogs are all on the menu as host Noah Cappe wades through the swamp to try unusual carnival fare.
Smokey and the Slamwich
Noah Cappe heads to the Arkansas State Fair for the hometown hero, the Arkansas Slamwich, the Stuffed Thanksgiving Taco and more. Then he travels to Florida for the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair, where he indulges in a savory funnel cake called the Chick 'N' Cake, Deep-Fried Rice Pudding and other delights.
Tons of Taters
Ingenious fair vendors use the humble potato to create some amazing and original midway food offerings. Host Noah Cappe's on a mission to taste every single one!
Pulp Kitchen
Noah Cappe kicks off a visit to the Kansas State Fair with the Cheesiest Burger Ever! Then he flies high at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta with a Churro Cupcake and grabs a seasonal Pumpkin Funnel Cake at Linde Oktoberfest Tulsa.
A-Frying in Winter
Noah Cappe chills out with some cool Twin City treats at the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. Despite sub-zero temperatures, he gets into the spirit with local specialties like the Nordic Waffle Pizza and the super-indulgent Biergarten Cupcake. Then Noah heads to the San Bernardino County Fair in Victorville, Calif., for some rays and eats like Lil' Corn Cakes and an ooey-gooey S'Mores Chimney Stack.
The Waffle Truth
Noah Cappe welcomes the changing of the seasons at the Circleville Pumpkin Show in Ohio, where pumpkin stars in both savory and sweet treats like Pumpkin Chili Dogs and Fall Favorite Taffy. Across the country at the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh, he finds some Southern favorites that have gotten the midway makeover, including True Grits and Banana Split Pudding Bites.
Nacho, Nacho Man
Corn chips, cheese and loads of toppings are the base of this simple Tex-Mex dish, but our carnival cooks can get pretty creative. Host Noah Cappe tries some of the wackiest and wildest nacho combinations on the midway.
The Hunt for Breaded Oktoberfest
Noah Cappe's mission to find the most awesome carnival eats starts on a high note at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. He chows down on the Schnitzel Dog at Linde Oktoberfest Tulsa and experiences something new at the Colorado State Fair.
The Good, The Bacon, The Ugly
Noah Cappe heads for the Lone Star state to eat his way through the Texas State Fair in Dallas, featuring some inventive foods like the Bacon-tilla and the indulgent masterpiece of Chicken Fried Lobster. For dessert, Noah feeds his sweet tooth with a pair of earthy treats, the Carrot Cake Roly and the creamy Deep Fried Sweet Potato Pie. Later, Noah heads to the Oakland County Fair in Davisburg, Mich. to eat the Cheeseburger Crunch Wrap, the Rodeo Pizza, and The Whole Farm, a sandwich loaded with farm-fresh favorites.
Dumplings and Pumpkins
Noah Cappe's first stop is at the North Florida Fair in Tallahassee, where he feels the burn with Dead Heat Tacos. He then takes on the Bacon Blast, the two and a half-foot Belly Buster Philly Cheesesteak and Reverend Larry's Oxtail. Next, he heads over the border to the Erin Fall Fair in Ontario, Canada, where he meets up with the original apple dumpling gang for their Ag Ladies Apple Dumplings, goes hog wild for Pork Belly Sliders and carries a torch for Crackle Lanterns.
Hawaii Fried Dough
Noah Cappe arrives in the Aloha State for the 'Iolani Fair. This school fundraiser fair in Honolulu features Hawaiian-style fried dough in the Malasada Ice Cream Sandwich and Sweet Roll Sliders. Then, Noah heads over to the white sugar sands of Naples, Fla., where the sweet times continue at the Collier County Fair and Exposition. He goes for two mashups: the Cubano Pizza and the PB and J Dog.
Attack of the Mac and Cheese
Noah Cappe arrives at the Kentucky State Fair and gets a satisfying taste of all things Southern. He starts off with the Mac Ball Burger featuring deep-fried homemade mac and cheese, followed by the Fried Green Frank, the Derby Pie Pop and the Southern Slaw Sammie. Next Noah travels to the Lorain County Fair in Ohio, where macaroni and cheese makes an appearance in the Mac Attack Taco. The hearty Sunday Dinner Pizza and a luscious Grilled S'more Melt make for an ooey-gooey end to the day.
Doughboy Does Dallas
Noah Cappe tackles his "Must Eat" list of doughy delights at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas before heading to the State Fair of Louisiana for some sweets turned savory. Finally, he grabs a Bavarian Burger at the Linde Oktoberfest Tulsa.
Cheesy Rider
At the Prince William County Fair in Manassas, Va., Noah Cappe eats big with the Monumental Grilled Cheese and has his interested peaked by the crab dip-topped Chesapeake Bay Poutine. While there, he also indulges in some Big Daddy's BBQ Rolls and Peach Blossom Dumplings. Then, at the Western Fair in London, Ontario, he dives into a Poutine Dog, the Bacaroni Bowl and Cherry Cheesecake Tempura.
Hawaii Fried Dough
Noah Cappe arrives in the Aloha State for the 'Iolani Fair. This school fundraiser fair in Honolulu features Hawaiian-style fried dough in the Malasada Ice Cream Sandwich and Sweet Roll Sliders. Then, Noah heads over to the white sugar sands of Naples, Fla., where the sweet times continue at the Collier County Fair and Exposition. He goes for two mashups: the Cubano Pizza and the PB and J Dog.
Attack of the Mac and Cheese
Noah Cappe arrives at the Kentucky State Fair and gets a satisfying taste of all things Southern. He starts off with the Mac Ball Burger featuring deep-fried homemade mac and cheese, followed by the Fried Green Frank, the Derby Pie Pop and the Southern Slaw Sammie. Next Noah travels to the Lorain County Fair in Ohio, where macaroni and cheese makes an appearance in the Mac Attack Taco. The hearty Sunday Dinner Pizza and a luscious Grilled S'more Melt make for an ooey-gooey end to the day.
Doughboy Does Dallas
Noah Cappe tackles his "Must Eat" list of doughy delights at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas before heading to the State Fair of Louisiana for some sweets turned savory. Finally, he grabs a Bavarian Burger at the Linde Oktoberfest Tulsa.
Cheesy Rider
At the Prince William County Fair in Manassas, Va., Noah Cappe eats big with the Monumental Grilled Cheese and has his interested peaked by the crab dip-topped Chesapeake Bay Poutine. While there, he also indulges in some Big Daddy's BBQ Rolls and Peach Blossom Dumplings. Then, at the Western Fair in London, Ontario, he dives into a Poutine Dog, the Bacaroni Bowl and Cherry Cheesecake Tempura.
Steak Out
Noah Cappe is in carnivore mode for the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo in Texas. From the Southwest Dog to the Show Hog, no one goes home hungry. Then he heads to the Great Anderson County Fair in South Carolina for a "steak out" in the form of the Spud Steak Sandwich before wrapping up the day with a midway mashup, the Apple Cheesecake Quesadilla.
You've Got Ale
Noah Cappe hits the Wisconsin State Fair, where a local brewery is serving the ultimate deep-fried combo of beer, brats and cheese curds. For dessert, milk and cookies are inverted in a crazy new form. At the Southern California Fair, a killer combination of onion rings and a grilled hot dog gets Noah's attention, and cold brew coffee is the star of a sweet treat to round out the day.
Pretzella, Queen of the Dessert
Noah Cappe enjoys German-inspired carnival treats like a Christmas Wreatzel and Hot Belgian Boot at Christkindlmarket Milwaukee. Then he samples spicy midway munchies, including the Chili Cheese Dog Pizza, at the Charro Days Fiesta in Brownsville, Texas.
Bowls and Rolls
The Norfolk County Fair in Ontario, Canada, is a culinary carnival. Noah Cappe appreciates the Thanksgiving Bowl, Butter Bacon Poutine, the Cheeseburger Eggroll, and downs it all with Ale and Apple Fritters. In South Carolina, he visits the Columbia Country Fair, where he takes a bite out of Gator Nuggets with Swamp Sauce, squeals with delight over the Hog on a Log and gets dinner and dessert together in the heavenly Angel and Devil Dogs.
Meat and Mandarins
Noah Cappe is at the Eastern Carolina Agricultural Fair in Florence, S.C., where the Calzagna has him dancing for joy. He then peels into a Deep Fried Philly Blossom, gets hot for a Smokin' Okra Burger and investigates the Deep Fried Banana Pudding. Next, at the Mountain Mandarin Festival in Auburn, Calif., the launches into the Atomic Habanero Tots, The Big Yum and a Mandarin Cheesecake Pizza.
