We know why Hoosiers can't resist a trip to the fair.




Sugary fried confections. Delectable ooey gooey goodness. Melty cheese poured over salty snacks. The Indiana State Fair is a tour de force for tastebuds. A promise of sweet treats that always lures you back year after year.




But what is the best, most irresistible and savory eats the fair has to offer?




FOX59/CBS4 bravely took up the call, setting out across the fairgrounds to sample this year's Taste of the Fair selections.




From cinnamon toast cookie butter pretzel bites to pickle fried Oreos and dirty dancing egg rolls, here is our list of the best eats (and drinks) at the 2025 Indiana State Fair.




Once your stomach starts to growl, grab this handy-dandy list of all the Taste of the Fair offerings and set out to make your own best in show.

1. Cookie Butter Cold Brew Float

Vendor: Hooks Drugstore Museum




Description: A vanilla cold brew with vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream, cookie butter drizzle, cookie crumble and a cherry.

When I saw this cold brew being assembled, I thought I was signing up for a milkshake more than a coffee. That said, the coffee flavor was strong enough to make this taste like an actual cold brew instead of a typical milkshake. The coffee helped balance out the sweetness the rest of the ingredients bring to this drink. You'll want to make sure you drink this down to the bottom because the whipped cream, cookie butter, cookie crumble and ice cream that this drink is topped with is worth tasting. The maraschino cherry on top of this frosty beverage also helps give it a classic look.

Austin Hanson

First of all, this was found inside an air-conditioned building - so it automatically jumped to the top of the list. Then there's ice cream and cookie butter? Yes ma'am! I'm not even a coffee drinker, but add a pound of sugar and suddenly I'm a believer. It reminded me of a root beer float - but make it espresso chic. If you love coffee, this is a must-stop. And if you're just looking for a cold, creamy treat that isn't the usual fair lemonade, this is the one to try.

Deja Studdard

2. Dirty Dancing Egg Roll

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Vendor: Taste of Home Catering and Food Truck




Description: Four-inch chicken Philly egg rolls dipped in homemade hot honey lemon pepper buffalo sauce drizzled with ranch dressing.

The magic of the Dirty Dancing Egg Roll begins with their perfectly crunchy shells. The hot honey sauce adds just the right amount of sweet and heat to the dish. The ranch dressing also adds another element of flavor that can cool the hot honey down for those that are sensitive to spicier foods.

Hanson

This is the point of the fair. These egg rolls were experimental, fun and absolutely delicious. I've never had anything like them - seriously, I have nothing to compare them to. They had just the right amount of kick, but nothing overwhelming. I didn't even have a water bottle with me and I was fine... in 90-degree heat! The crunch? Impeccable. The flavor? Chef's kiss. A creative hit - 10/10 would recommend.

Studdard

3. Pickle Bacon Ranch Pizza

Vendor: Swains Concessions




Description: Homemade pizza dough stretched to perfection and covered with award-winning pickle ranch sauce and mozzarella cheese. Topped off with pickles, bacon and ranch.

This dish is a fun twist on a traditional chicken, bacon and ranch pizza. The dill throughout the pizza and briny chip-style pickles compliment the ranch to make this a truly unique slice. If you're a ranch fanatic, this condiment-turned-sauce is for you.

Hanson

I expected this pizza to be terrible - but much to my surprise, it wasn't! It was weirdly good. Definitely an adventurous bite, and I felt like I was exploring new culinary territory. Would I get it again? No. I'm a pepperoni kind of girl through and through. But it was one of the most hyped-up fair foods this year, and honestly? It delivered. Great conversation piece, solid execution.

Studdard

This was one of the first bites I snagged at the fair this year. It's all my favorite food combined into one, so I couldn't wait to try it. All three flavors complement each other so well. I found myself thinking back to this combo throughout the day and am looking forward to snagging another slice!

Claire Curry

4. S'mores Cookie

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Vendor: The Cavity Factory




Description: This cookie boasts a graham cracker base with milk chocolate and dark chocolate. Topped with marshmallow that can be torched.

This cookie is best served hot and brings the taste of a backyard fire to the state fair. What appears to be a regular chocolate chip cookie topped with marshmallows is pushed over the top when the team at the Cavity Factory uses a food torch to brown the marshmallows just like you would while camping.

Hanson

You can't go wrong with the s'mores cookie - it's the safest pick on the list, but it's not boring. The marshmallows were toasted to perfection, and the cookie itself was gooey, warm, and just indulgent enough. This one's a crowd-pleaser. Classic, cozy, and guaranteed to satisfy even the pickiest eater.

Studdard

I've always passed by the Cavity Factory storefront in Fountain Square and have always wanted to stop in. When I saw they were at the fair, I knew I had to snag a cookie. The gooey brown sugar and graham cracker chocolate cookie was delicious and the slightly toasted marshmallow on top brought me back to summer bonfires. It was hard to only have one!

Curry

5. Key Lime Pie Milkshake

Vendor: American Dairy Association of Indiana




Description: Key lime pie milkshake blends tangy citrus with creamy sweetness for a refreshing treat to cool you down on a hot Indiana summer day.

This dairy treat is a breath of fresh air from Key West with an Indiana twist. The thick, frothy shake is best enjoyed with a spoon, but you'll still want to grab a straw to make sure you get every last morsel of ice cream from your cup. The key lime flavor is subtle, but still strong enough to put its own unique stamp on this confection.

Hanson

This was soft, sweet, and comforting. The key lime flavor was subtle, not overpowering, with just a hint of key, a hint of lime, and a hint of pie. As someone who's never had actual Key Lime Pie before, I was nervous - but this was a lovely intro. It's light, creamy, and definitely a must-try.

Studdard

I love a milkshake, but key lime pie is out of my comfort zone personally. I was a little skeptical about this flavor, but low and behold, I was pleasantly surprised. The key lime wasn't overpowering by any means. The shakes are always so creamy and delicious over at the dairy bar, I shouldn't have doubted it!

Curry

6. Pineapple Whip Shake Up

Vendor: Hi & Mighty




Description: A tart, smooth and refreshing canned cocktail handmade at the Indiana State Fairgrounds with real pineapple and premium liquor.

This boozy beverage boasts a fresh pineapple aroma and taste. It has an alcohol volume of 6%. The pineapple flavor of the drink is subtle and refreshing. This beverage comes in a can, and it's worth buying a can or two to take home. Though this is a canned drink, it's best enjoyed in a cup with ice and a lemon wedge.

Hanson

The perfect way to end the day - refreshing, cold, and effortlessly cute. It had a soft, light pineapple flavor that didn't overpower. Very cutesy. Very demure. This is the alcoholic drink you grab when you want something chill, not too strong, and just a little flirty. A subtle, tropical treat to wrap up your fair adventure on a high note.

Studdard

7. Cinnamon Toast Cookie Butter Pretzel Bites

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Vendor: Wilson Concessions




Description: Pretzel bites covered in cinnamon and sugar then smothered with cookie butter, cream cheese icing and topped with Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal.

The pillowy pretzel bites and crunchy cereal compliment each other in this sugary treat. Step aside bowl of milk, I'll be taking my Cinnamon Toast Crunch like this from now on. Make sure to use a fork when eating this treat because the cookie butter drizzle, cinnamon and sugar are messy. If you've got a sweet tooth, you'll definitely want to visit Wilson Concessions for this dish.

Hanson

If you've got a sweet tooth - THIS. IS. IT. Classic fair food energy: deep-fried, rolled in sugar, drizzled with sugar, then dusted with even more sugar for good measure. It was rich, decadent, and slightly chaotic in the best way. Bonus: this was actually my first time ever having Cinnamon Toast Crunch (gasp), and honestly? I fear the regular cereal could never live up to this.

Studdard

8. Street Corn Steak Taco

Vendor: Urick Concessions




Description: Flame-grilled ribeye steak topped with zesty street corn, diced onions, crumbled cotija cheese, and fresh cilantro.

The sauce on this warm street taco was the star of the dish. The corn embedded in the zesty sauce was a nice textural element. The cilantro also helped add depth of flavor. A lime wedge is included on the side with this dish, and I'd recommend using it - the acidity helps balance out the overall richness of the taco itself.

Hanson

The sauce was the boss. Truly - they should bottle it. I'd keep a bottle in my kitchen, my glove compartment, and my emergency preparedness kit. The tacos had great flavor overall, I wish they had a beef or chicken option. Still, the unforgettable sauce made this one a flavorful stop.

Studdard

9. Jerk Cheesy Fries

Vendor: Jamaican Breeze




Description: Jerk fries are crispy, cheesy and drizzled with guests' choice of spicy or mild jerk sauce.

These classic thick-cut fries are drenched with a warm and gooey cheese that meets expectations for a dish that isn't shy about just how cheesy it is. The sweet and hot jerk sauce also helps cut the richness of the cheese and fries for a truly satisfying bite.

Hanson

Do you love cheese? Do you love fries? Then this is a safe, feel-good choice. Hot, fresh, gooey, and comforting - this one definitely delivers. It's the kind of classic fair food that satisfies every time.

Studdard

10. Pickle Fried Oreos

Vendor: Pickle Barrel




Description: A golden Oreo with a pickle slice placed on top dipped in made-from-scratch batter topped with dill pickles seasoning and a side of ranch to dip in.

This snack defies expectations. I was apprehensive about this cookie before I took a bite, but as soon as I sunk my teeth into it, my mind changed. Somehow, this was perhaps both the best fried Oreo and fried pickle I've ever had all rolled into one. The ranch dressing provided on the side and the pickle embedded in the fried Oreo itself help cut the richness of the batter-dipped snack, making this treat more cravable than a traditional fried Oreo.

Hanson

This is the fair food that had everyone buzzing. If you're anything like me, you hear "deep-fried pickled Oreo" and feel immediate intrigue, disgust, and excitement - all at once. I love Oreos. Pickles? Not so much. But I had to try it. I won't lie... the taste was awful. Truly. And yet? It was still the best part of my day. Right up there with the pickle pizza. Because honestly - it was fun. And isn't that the point? Now here's the kicker: what I thought was frosting on the side was actually... ranch. RANCH. I almost died laughing. Rest assured, I will never forget these. Ever. The saving grace? Their Deep Fried Oreo Flight. I tried the Monster Cookie version and it was yummy. They also had a birthday cake version, an orange creamsicle, and more. So if you're scared of the pickle, just pivot to the classics.

Studdard

This bite was the most adventurous for me. When talking with folks about food at the fair, almost everyone brought up the pickle fried Oreos, so I had to go in with an open mind and try it. I love pickles and Oreos but couldn't wrap my head around how those flavors would taste together. At first, you get the crunch of the pickle chip, but then get the chocolatey Oreo after. It wasn't at the top of my list, but I was glad I gave it a shot!

Curry

Honorable Mentions

Smoked Gouda'cue Sandwich

Vendor: American Dairy Association of Indiana




Description: This sandwich boasts layers of rich smoked gouda, sharp cheddar and tangy barbecue sauce between buttery, golden Texas toast.

This sandwich does not disappoint - it is packed with gouda and sharp cheddar that overflow out of the sandwich when you bite down on it. Though the sandwich itself will make it difficult, you'll want to try to keep all that cheese between this item's two perfectly buttered and toasted slices of Texas toast because you won't want to miss out on a single bite of cheese. The barbecue sauce is a nice compliment to the overall richness of the sandwich. Suffice it to say, this might be one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches I've had.

Hanson

This was hands down the best grilled cheese I've ever had in my life. The smoky gouda did its big one - rich, melty, and full of flavor. The surprise twist? That BBQ sauce. It had me suddenly craving brisket... but even without it, this sandwich held its own. It's a great pick for kids or anyone looking for a fun, sweet-and-savory option. Comfort food with a little personality - and a lot of cheese.

Studdard

Jessops' Butterscotch Apple Crunch

Vendor: Jessop Candy Products




Description: Gourmet sliced apples with warm caramel sauce and crushed butterscotch corn for topping. Served in a parfait cup. Nuts optional.

This treat provides a taste of fall in the middle of summer. In essence, think of this snack as a deconstructed caramel apple. These perfectly sliced wedges of apple are topped with a generous portion of warm caramel sauce.

Hanson

Honestly? If you're on a diet, this might be the healthiest fair food you're gonna find. It gave full-on Fall Festival energy - crisp apples, warm caramel, and that sweet little crunch to tie it all together. I love apples and caramel on a normal day, but this? This put my daytime snack to shame. Out of everything I tried, this was the one thing I needed to eat.

Studdard

Jerk Cheesy Fries

Vendor: Taste of Home Catering and Food Truck

Though not on the state fair's "Taste of the Fair" guide this year, these jerk cheesy fries are worth a stop at Taste of Home Catering and Food Truck. The base of this dish is corkscrew fries. The uniquely cut fries are topped with jerk sauce, cilantro, onion and chicken. If you can manage to get all those ingredients on one fork, prepare for one of the most satisfying bites of the entire state fair.

Hanson

This was hands down my favorite item of the day. Perfectly seasoned, cheesy, slightly spicy, and satisfying - I need this in my life year-round. If they start selling this outside the fair, just know I'll be the one keeping them in business come December. Fair food? More like forever food.

Studdard

via: https://fox59.com/news/fox59-cbs4s-best-eats-of-the-2025-indiana-state-fair/