88 New Foods You Have to Try at the 2025 N.C. State Fair

It’s that time of year again when the buzz around the N.C. State Fair starts building, and everyone keeps asking, what new foods are hitting the midway this year? The wait is over! The 2025 lineup is here and, true to tradition, it’s packed with bold, creative, and downright wild ideas from vendors who never stop surprising us.

Every October, fairgoers stream through the gates in search of rides, games, music, and family fun, but let’s be honest for many fairgoers, the food is the real star. From deep-fried classics to international flavors and quirky mashups, the fair has a way of pushing the limits of indulgence. I have to tell you, I’m glad I’m gluten free and have no choice but to bypass most of them. I’ll let you indulge for me! This year’s list of 88 brand-new foods at the NC State Fair promises everything from the outrageous (pickle juice popsicles, anyone?) to the irresistible (we’re looking at you, cotton candy iced tea).

Get ready, 2025 might just be the year you discover your next favorite fair food. Scroll down for the full list… but fair warning: you will be hungry by the time you finish.

We just got home from the Media Preview event where we sampled a wide variety of the new foods for 2025 – not all of them of course!! The Media voted on their favorite sweet and savory. (I was also limited with what I could try as I’m gluten free)

• Savory Winner: Deep Fried Lamb Chop by Lawrence & Perry Barbecue (this was also Craigs favorite.
• Sweet Winner: Cinna Mozza by Golden K Dog (we somehow missed this!)

Here are some of our other favorites:

The Carolina Shawarma Burger from Neomonde Mediterranean was my favorite (I had mine without the bun followed closely by the unique Hawaiian Street Corn by Douglas Farms

I also enjoyed the La Montanera/Country Girl from Arepa Loca, the Jerk Trio (tacos) from Cool Runnings Jamaican, the Pork Belly Churros from Granny’s Country Kitchen and the Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cup from Mini’s Chocolate Tap – but eat that one straight away as the dark chocolate and praline cream hardens which makes it harder to eat.

Craig also liked the Swordfish Pop from Oak City Fish & Chips, the Plaka Gyro from Strates Fine Foods, and the Granny’s Sticky Be from Magdalenas Chimney Cakes.

I tried really hard to like the Cheerwine Dream from Moose Juice Slush – it was not their creation that was the problem; it’s just Cheerwine. It’s far too sweet and mediciny for me!

Here’s a complete list of this year’s new foods:

• Cinnamon Peach Praline Cobbler Cookie: 6″ sugar cookie topped with buttercream icing, a scoop of our famous Peach Cobbler, and topped with cinnamon coated pecan pralines. (The Peach Cobbler Factory)
• Jeffrey’s Taco De Calle: Soft taco with our signature burger, vegan cheese, beans, homemade salsa, and lettuce. (Ethio-Indi Alkaline Cuisine)
• Nathaniel’s Taquito: 3 soft tacos with our signature burger, vegan cheese, rice, homemade salsa, lettuce, and our spicy Amir sauce. (Ethio-Indi Alkaline Cuisine)
• The Salted Caramel Crunch Dough-Licious Special: Indulge in warm, golden, fried cookie dough nestled with old fashioned vanilla ice cream. Finished with a decadent drizzle of salted caramel and our signature salted chocolate velvet cream cookie. (Kora’s Cookie Dough)
• Jerk Trio: Three tacos: Jerk Pork, Jerk BBQ Chicken, and Jerk Pork Belly. Served in a flour tortilla, topped with mango salsa and a zesty vegetable mix, topped with our creamy Jerk Sauce creating a symphony of sweet citrus and spicy heat. (Cool Runnings Jamaican)
• Bacon Mac & Cheese Cone: Creamy mac & cheese with bacon crumbles in a golden cone, topped with a crispy mac and cheese bite and a slice of bacon. (Kono Pizza)
• Hot Honey Chicken Cone: Pizza cone filled with mozzarella, breaded chicken, tomato sauce, and hot honey. Topped with green onions & red chili threads. (Kono Pizza)
• Cinnamon Bun Cone: Pizza cone filled with warm cinnamon bun, creamy cream cheese icing, and topped with sweet cinnamon crunch. (Kono Pizza)
• Creme Brulee Cone: Pizza cone filled with silky vanilla custard, topped with caramelized sugar for that perfect golden crunch. (Kono Pizza)
• Dirty Cheerwine: Cheerwine topped with sweet vanilla cream and lime. (Granny’s Country Kitchen)
• Pork Belly Churros: Crispy fried pork belly stick rolled in cinnamon sugar and drizzled with caramel and chocolate sauce. (Granny’s Country Kitchen)
• Deep Fried Lamb Chops: Lamb chops that are seasoned, breaded and deep fried. Drizzled with a Balsamic Honey Maple Glaze and garnished with a light dusting of dried mint. (Lawrence & Perry Barbeque)
• Granny’s Sticky B: Cinnamon roll goo spread, Andia’s salted cream cheese ice cream, rolled in butter crunchies, topped with more goo and piped glaze. (Magdalena’s Chimney Cakes)
• Carolina Shawarma Burger: Neomonde Brioche bun stacked with creamy house made coleslaw and tender beef and lamb Shawarma spiced BBQ sauce. Pickled red onion & Jalapeno, pickles and fresh cilantro. Served with fries! (Neomonde Mediterranean)
• Freeze Dried North Carolina Bites Box: Four flavors of North Carolina inspired freeze-dried rainbow bites: Banana Pudding, Fizzy New Bern Cola, Spicy Pickle, and Sweet and Smoky Barbeque. (Sugar Snap Treats)
• Freeze Dried Marshmallows: Six flavors of freeze-dried marshmallows: banana pudding, lucky marshmallow, cookie monster, birthday cake, peanut butter and cotton candy. (Sugar Snap Treats)
• Rainbow Bites: Five flavors of freeze-dried rainbow bites made with Skittles: Cherry limeade with a light fizz, Blue Ocean Refresh, Cotton Candy, Pina Colada, and Island Punch. (Sugar Snap Treats)
• Gushy Gummies: Flavored juicy gummies made with Gushers: Sour Blue Raspberry, Sour Peach Mango, and Cotton Candy. (Sugar Snap Treats)
• Cowgirl Bites: Pimento Cheese and Pork BBQ Balls battered and deep fried, then drizzled with sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. (Fat Boys BBQ)
• Oxtail Fried Rice: A hearty and savory dish that combines fall off the bone, melt in your mouth oxtail, fried rice, and mixed veggies. (Lee’s Kitchen)
• Home Style Ranch Deep Fried Cheese Curds: For all the ranch lovers! Bold, savory, and packed with flavor! Our Ranch Curds are Wisconsin White Cheddar Cheese Curds, lightly breaded with Home Style Ranch and deep fried to a crispy golden brown. (The Cheese Curd Shack)
• Cotton Candy Iced Tea: Cotton candy flavored iced tea. Topped with a fluffy cloud of cotton candy on the straw. Prepare for a flavor explosion as we added a sour candy gummy belt, and a crystal blue rock candy stick. (Tiki Tea Inc.)

• Cupcake Shake: Shake topped with a wine-infused cupcake. (Boozie Bakes)
• La Montanera/ The Country Girl: A golden, crispy arepa is packed with crunchy pork belly, fluffy rice, savory beans, juicy chorizo, and topped off with authentic sauces that bring it all together. (Arepa Loca LLC)
• Dirty Duck Bowl: A bowl of our signature dirty rice tossed with ground duck, mixed bell peppers, onions cooked in duck fat. Seasoned to perfection, topped with scallions and your choice of either our wicked or Asian chili sauce and finished off with crispy wonton chips. (Chick-N-Que)
• Carolina Hoe Down: Homemade Johnny “Hoe” Cake, topped with sharp cheddar cheese, Carolina Pulled Pork, marinated in Eastern Honey BBQ Glaze, Cilantro Cream Sauce, BBQ Sauce. (Ezzell’s Somethin’ Good)
• South of the Border Stuffed Turkey Leg: One juicy, giant turkey leg stuffed with savory Mexican Street Corn and Cotija Cheese. (Hickory Tree Turkey BBQ)
• Chicken Caesar Mac Stack: Creamy white cheddar mac and cheese layered with crispy croutons topped with chopped fried chicken, Caesar dressing, a mound of parm cheese, and cheezit dust. (Hot Chix Hotcakes & Chicken)
• Rice Crispy Dubai Chocolate Mini Pancakes: Mini pancakes topped with rice crispy cereal, sweet pistachio cream, chocolate syrup and chocolate chunks. (Hot Chix Hotcakes & Chicken)
• Chicken Feet: Baked, fried, & barbecued chicken feet. Served plain or with rice and vegetables. (Jacks Seafood and Soulfood)
• Fried Fish and Waffles: Fried fish and delicious waffles with various toppings and syrup. (Jacks Seafood and Soulfood)
• Pizza Croissant: Light Flakey croissant dough rolled with marinara sauce, Italian spices and spinach. (La Farm Bakery)
• Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cup: The Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cup is a rich dessert, featuring fresh strawberries, crispy kataifi dough, and pistachio cream, all layered in melted chocolate. Topped with pistachio butter. (Mini’s Chocolate Tap / Bubba’s Bacon)
• Cheerwine “Dream”: Ice cold refreshing Cheerwine slush drizzled and topped off with a vanilla cream, whipped topping, and cake pops with a Cheerwine drizzle. (Moose Joose Slush)
• Electric Lemonade: Frozen lemonade slush paired with sweet cream, passionfruit, blue raspberry, mixed for a delicious treat to keep you cooled off. (Moose Joose Slush)
• Swordfish Pop: Juicy bites of swordfish, fried to golden perfection, skewered with a lemon on top and finished with a bold drizzle of our special addictive sauce. (Oak City Fish and Chips)
• Banana Pudding Cups: Creamy Banana Pudding layered with a signature crunch in a cup. (Boozie Bakes)

• Brown Sugar Hushpuppies: Hushpuppies deep fried & rolled in our signature blend of spices. (Oak City Fish and Chips)
• Plaka Gyro: Authentic Greek-style whole pork gyro cooked on a vertical broiler. Served on a toasted pita with tomatoes, onions, tzatziki sauce, and fries. (Strates Fine Foods)
• Chocolate-Covered Potato Chip Caramel Apple: Ruffled potato chip dipped in creamy milk chocolate, around a buttery caramel apple. The perfect sweet and salty fair snack! (The Candi Queen)
• Poprock Candy Grapes: Strawberry lemonade flavored candy base with popping candy. (The Candi Queen)
• Pumpkin Spice Delight: Pumpkin spice Dole Whip and creamy vanilla soft-serve, swirled to perfection and crowned with a decadent slice of pumpkin pie. Finished with a cloud of whipped topping, a golden caramel drizzle, and a sprinkle of crunchy waffle cone crumble. (Tropical Delights LLC)
• Orange Dreamsicle Crush: A sunshine-in-a-cup sensation! Bright and creamy orange Dole Whip swirled with smooth vanilla, all floating in a bubbly bath of orange Crush soda. (Tropical Delights LLC)
• NC Blue Crabmeat Ceviche: A mixture of lump crabmeat, tomato, onion, cucumber, cilantro, jalapeno, and lime juice. Creating a light, flavorful dish you don’t want to miss! (Waypoint Oyster Bar)
• NC Coconut Shrimp on a Stick: North Carolina shrimp coated with coconut flakes fried to perfection and served with orange chili sauce. A North Carolina staple with tropical flare and satisfying crunch. (Waypoint Oyster Bar)
• Hawaiian Street Corn: Bacon street corn with pineapple. Served in half a pineapple. (Douglas Farms)
• Tajin Grapes: Sweet grapes coated in Tajin seasoning for a sweet and spicy flavor. (Douglas Farms)
• Cinna Mozza: Full mozzarella cheese Korean corn dog dunked in salted butter, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, and topped with Cinnamon Toast Crunch. (GoldenKdog)
• Baby Greek Donuts: Golden, fluffy dough balls made fresh every 30 minutes. Come in many flavors – Strawberry Delight, Cookies & Cream, Dubai Chocolate and more! (Chicken Shack South)
• Cheezy Fried Steak Taco: Crispy, cheezy deep-fried taco filled with steak, cheese, cilantro, and other various toppings. (Chicken Shack South)
• BBQ Doughnut: BBQ dipped in corn meal batter in the shape of a doughnut. Sprinkled with bacon bits. (D&J Concessions)
• Cookie Butter Frozen Banana: Frozen banana covered in chocolate, cookie crumbles and buttery flavor topping. (Fontana Foods)
• S’mores Delight Frozen Banana: Frozen banana covered in chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows. (Fontana Foods)
• Cookies N Creme Frozen Banana: Frozen banana covered in chocolate, Oreo crumbles and icing. (Fontana Foods)
• PB&J Frozen Banana: Frozen banana covered in peanut butter, jelly and nuts. (Fontana Foods)
• Fruity Pebbles Frozen Banana: Frozen banana covered in chocolate and Fruity Pebbles cereal. (Fontana Foods)
• Hot Honey Jalapeno Popper Donut: Hand-cut yeast-raised donut frosted with homemade jalapeno cream cheese. Topped with crumbled bacon, pickled jalapenos and drizzled with hot honey. (Fluffy’s Hand Cut Donuts)
• Hickory Fried Corn Ribs: Our crispy sweet corn on the cob curls are quartered, marinated and seasoned in a secret Hickory BBQ style blend of deliciousness. Internationally inspired, locally sourced ingredients, the result is a delicious and savory delight served hot and crispy. (Davis Concessions)
• Maple Bacon Corn Ribs: Taking our OG Corn Ribs up a notch! Tender kernels that pull apart like ribs with a sticky glaze of real maple syrup, and a generous topping of crispy bacon bits. (Davis Concessions)
• Pickle Fries: Pickle this, pickle that, pickled french fries! A totally unique experience the entire family will love. Paired with a creamy buttermilk ranch sauce of course. Keep your eyes on the pickle fries! (Davis Concessions)
• Fried Frozen Watermelon: Fried frozen, sweet, watermelon. Delicious sweet watermelon cut into perfect pieces, frozen for days, fried in homemade donut batter, and topped with fresh strawberry topping. Warm on the outside and cold on the inside! (Davis Concessions)
• Teriyaki Fried Cauliflower: Sweet, boneless, meatless wings! Lightly battered and fried to crispy perfection. These bites are seasoned and topped with our sweet teriyaki sauce. (Davis Concessions)
• Veggie Corn Dog: Mr. Pickle is bringing the N.C. State Fair its first vegetarian Corn Dog! Our meatless dogs are dipped in classic corn dog batter and fried to golden perfection. Pairs perfectly with ketchup or mustard. (Davis Concessions)
• Cheese Curd Tacos: Fried shell, fried curds and meat in the middle with toppings. Four flavors: Original (brat, cheddar curds, lettuce and baja), Hot Chick (chicken, buffalo curds, bleu cheese slaw & buffalo), Box Checker (chicken, bacon, cheddar curds, lettuce and ranch), and Pickle (dill pickle, cream cheese, cheddar curds, lettuce and ranch). (Ritchie’s)
• Pickle Sub: Freshly sliced deli meats and vegetables, stacked on a crisp dill pickle sliced in half and cored to create a unique bun. (Pickle Bun)
• Pickle Soup: A salty, tangy, and briny flavor of pickles combined with a warm, creamy, and hearty base to create a truly delightful and comforting dish. (Pickle Bun)
• Pickle Pop: A frozen treat made from dill pickle juice, creating a savory, tangy, and slightly salty thirst-quenching ice pop. (Pickle Bun)
• Double Decker Korean Donkatsu Burger: Two crispy, golden fried pork cutlets stacked high on a soft, toasted bun. Bed of shredded cabbage and drizzled with a tangy donkatsu sauce. (Bulkogi Korean BBQ)
• Flaming Hot Cheetos Pickle Pizza: Pickle pizza made with our own garlic sauce base and covered with mozzarella cheese. Topped with dill pickle chips and more garlic sauce on top. Then covered with Flaming Hot Cheetos. (Rudy’s Pizza)
• Cheerwine Lemonade: Two great flavors – even better together! Enjoy with our Cheerwine Funnel Cake for the ultimate flavor! (The Busy Beaver)
• Dubai Chocolate Churros: We take the classic cinnamon sugar churro to a whole new level with a rich and decadent mix of nutty chocolate and sweet pistachio cream flavors. (OMC! Oh My Churro)
• Banana Churros: Crispy on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside. Sweet ripe bananas covered in crispy churro, rolled in cinnamon sugar and drizzled with warm nutella chocolate. (OMC! Oh My Churro)
• Piggy Bag Marranada: Delicious pieces of corn, loaded with our yummy 3 cheese sauce, our signature smoky salsa and crispy bacon. (OMC! Oh My Churro)
• Flauta Dippers: Easy to grab, fun to eat! Crunchy chicken flautas served in a cup for the ultimate walking meal. Each crispy roll is packed with juicy seasoned shredded chicken, topped with sour cream, spicy salsa verde and delicious cotija cheese. (OMC! Oh My Churro)
• Horchata Latte: Rich, velvety blend of creamy horchata and Mexican coffee. Perfectly spiced and comforting drink with a kick. (OMC! Oh My Churro)
• Loaded Breakfast Sausage Stick: Breakfast sausage waffle topped with sausage gravy, real bacon and cheese. (Waffle Chix)
• Loaded Cowboy Potatoes: Dipper potatoes topped with cheese and bacon. (Pioneer Wagon)
• Chicken Corn Dog: Looks like a corn dog on the outside, but tastes unique and delicious! Served with our special Horseback Sauce (BBQ blend with mayo and horseradish) or with ketchup and mustard! (Pioneer Wagon)
• Nashville Hot Pickles: Our classic crispy fried pickle spears coated with our new Nashville Hot seasoning. A wonderful combination of heat and garlic dill flavors served with ranch dressing. (Dr. Vegetable)
• Maple Bacon & Fruity Pebbles Korean Corn Dog: Our fan favorite Korean Corn Dog with maple bacon flavoring and coated in fruity pebbles. (Red Carpet Amusements)
• Hot Cheeto Dilly Dog: Our famous dilly dog deep-fried and coated in Hot Cheetos. (Red Carpet Amusements)
• Gigante (Giant) Stuffed Jalapenos: Large jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese and bacon. Deep fried to perfection. (Red Carpet Amusements)
• Fair Favorite Warm Cakes: Our signature dessert and a fan favorite! This six-layer dessert features made-from-scratch cake, piped with our signature warm buttercream icing. It’s scooped with fresh hot strawberries and drizzled with our special strawberry sauce. To finish, we top with whipped cream and a smile! (Sifted Sugar Inc.)
• Cake in a Jar: Portable, single-serve dessert that features layers of cake, frosting, and various toppings, all neatly packed inside a glass or plastic jar. Offered in several exciting flavors. (Sifted Sugar Inc.)
• Banana Pudding & Spice Cake: Layers of sweet vanilla custard, sliced fresh bananas, and vanilla wafer cookies. Typically served with whipped cream and chilled. Offered with or without banana cake. (Sifted Sugar Inc.)
• Various Pork Rind & Crackling Flavors: Pork rinds in BBQ, Ranch, Dill Pickle, Old Bay, Hot, Lemon Pepper and Plain available. Cracklings in BBQ and Plain. (Sparky’s Pork Rinds)
• Loaded Popcorn Chicken Sundae: Down-home sundae stacked with creamy mac, crispy popcorn chicken, loaded with bacon, cheddar and ranch! (Chester’s Gators & Taters)
• Deep Fried Bacon Turtle Cheesecake: A Turtle Cheesecake deep fried and topped with bacon and pecans. Drizzled with chocolate and caramel. (Chef D’Lites)

Make sure you read our full guide to the NC State Fair with all you need to know in regards to rides, parking, things to do, performances and more!

Alright, what new food at the fair for this year are you getting first? Which one sounds even too weird for your adventurous taste buds? Or are you sticking with some of your regular fair favorites? (What are they btw)