Wondering what to eat this year at the State Fair of Texas? Buckle up, besties. We’re talking fair food today! From creative watermelon treats the size of Texas to fried banana bread and tons of cheesy bites, this year’s new foods line up is sure to impress.

I’ve just returned from the New Foods Fair to preview all of the new items available at the 2026 State Fair of Texas and couldn’t wait to tell you about it. Here are the 15 must-try fair foods!

Best Sweet: Nevins Butter Dipped Toffee Crunch Nutty Bar

Josey and Tami Jo Nevins Mayes of Nevins Concessions  
Located at Nevins Nutty Bar on Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd and Nevins Ice Cream on Nimitz Drive 

Oh my heavens. Words cannot even describe how perfect this ice cream bar is. The famous Nevis Nutty Bar got a makeover for the 2026 State Fair. The fan-favorite treat is drenched in creamy salted butter and rolled in peanuts and toffee. It’s then drizzled with caramel and sprinkled with Ritz crackers. This is worth the eight coupons, trust me. I will dream about this treat!

All Shook Up Milkshake

Michelle Edwards of J3M2 Services 
Located at Highland Park Soda Fountain in the Tower Building 

This almost took the #1 slot. This was right up there with the best of the best of fair foods. Here creamy banana pudding ice cream is blended with peanut butter sauce and topped with peanut butter cookies, crispy bacon (I promise it works!), caramel drizzle, and whipped cream. It’s a sweet and salty masterpiece.

Best Savory: Buffalo Breaded Cheese Curds

Stefan T. Nedwetzky of Texapolitan Pizza 
Located at Texapolitan Pizza on Grand Ave. 

It’s a tough call but this might be my favorite savory bite this year! What’s not to love about fried cheese curds? It perfectly captures the buffalo flavor and had me grinning from ear to ear. I could eat a whole bucket of these buffalo breaded cheese curds!!

Best Taste of Texas: Loaded Lone Star Rings

Christi Erpillo and Johnna McKee of Winter Family Concessions LLC 
Located at The Dock on Nimitz Drive and Fernie’s Funnel Cake Factory on Grand Ave. 

This is, in my opinion, PERFECT FAIR FOOD. This is truly everything I want at the State Fair of Texas: crunchy onion rings, jalapeño poppers, and smokey beef fajitas all in one delicious bite. I am immediately regretting not snagging one for the road!

Fried Green Tomato Lobster Bruschetta

Clint and Gretchen Probst of Concession Staffing Services LLC 
Located at Lobster Lounge on Grand Ave. 

This is hands down one of the best savory new foods at the State Fair this year. When presented with a plethora of food to eat, I ate every single bite of this marvelous fried green tomato. I’m just wondering why lobster salad on top of fried green tomatoes hasn’t always been a thing!

Heartiest: Chicken Fried Steak Biscuit

Isaac Rousso of Taste of Cuba 
Located at Rousso’s Fat Bacon on First Ave., Holy Biscuit in the Tower Building, and The Old Mill at Grand Ave. 

Bacon. Gravy. Need I say more? This is hands down the best white gravy I’ve ever tasted. If you love biscuits and chicken fried steak, you will love this hearty sandwich.

Cubano Flatbread

Isaac Rousso of Taste of Cuba 
Located at Old Mill on Grand Ave. 

I was not expecting to love this as much as I did. The stone-fired flatbread brushed with mojito butter glaze is absolutely incredible. Topped with slow-roasted pork, shredded ham, diced pickles, and melted Swiss cheese, this is one of my top picks for a delicious meal at the State Fair!

Not’cho Average Sundae 

Christopher Easter and Nicole Sternes of SouthSide The Realest, LLC 
Located at Southside Steaks and Cakes in Cotton Bowl Plaza  

A crispy waffle bowl is filled with Doritos, steamed rice, chicken cheesesteak, and queso. As if that isn’t enough, the dish is then drizzled with hot honey and topped with applewood bacon crumbles. Yum!

Texas Brisket Pierogies 

Tanya Rose of Pierogizilla LLC 
Located at Pierogizilla on the Funway 

I was delighted to see pierogies as one of the new State Fair foods! Here fried potato and cheese pierogies are topped with Texas smoked brisket, creamy lime signature sauce, tangy pickled red onions, spicy pickled Fresno peppers, and fresh cilantro. I was stuffed by the time I got to this but still managed to eat the whole thing so that tells you how delicious it was!

Focaccia Alla Prochetta e Salsa Verde

Massimiliano Tosi of Eataly 
Located at EATALY in Cotton Bowl Plaza 

I am a sucker for EATALY and went straight to their booth upon my arrival and this sandwich did NOT disappoint. This is the softest focaccia I’ve ever eaten! I realize this is not classic fair food but it’s certainly my kind of food so I highly recommend this if you want a fantastic sandwich.

New Orleans Nachos 

Terrence, Lisa, and Trevor Henderson of A Taste of New Orleans 
Located at A Taste of New Orleans on Grand Ave. and ATNO’s Bayou Kitchen in the Tower Building 

Crawfish etouffee is served over crispy potato chips and topped with nacho cheese, tomatoes, lettuce and jalapeños. If you want something snacky and love bayou flavors, this is a fun one!

Most Creative: Candy Watermelon

Kelly Villarreal of ARH Treats 
Located at Chamoy Treats on Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd 

If you want a *fairly* light, Instagrammable treat, this is perfect for you. Giant watermelon slices are wrapped with Fruit by the Foot, drenched in sour Chamoy, and topped with Tajin. Perfect for the Texas heat!

Fettuccine Nutella Crepe

Brice Noutoua of Crepes and Co. 
Located at Crepes and Co. in the Tower Building 

I loved the concept of this dish! Crepes are cut into fun crepe noodles and topped with Nutella, fresh fruit, and whipped cream. What’s not to love? If you love crepes and want a portable one, this is perfect.

Deep Fried Bourbon Banana Bread

Michelle Le and John Tcheng of Eat Crispies 
Located at Eat Crispies on Midway 

Have you ever wondered what banana bread would taste like fried until golden brown and smothered in a bourbon brown sugar caramel sauce? Well, it’s freaking delicious! It’s actually not overly sweet and nor does the bourbon overpower it. It’s a lovely blend of flavors that’s sure to please banana lovers!

Best Drink: Midnight Ruby Rush

Tony and Terry Bednar of Tony’s Taco Shop LLC 
Located at Tony’s Taco Shop in the Tower Building 

This Jamaican drink was very messy but absolutely delicious. The hibiscus infusion is layered with strawberries, frosted foam, cool mint, and a spicy chamoy rim. If you’re looking for something refreshing that isn’t alcoholic, this is a fun way to cool off.

For the full list of new foods at the State Fair of Texas 2026, bigtex.com/newfoods. Heading to the State Fair of Texas this year? Comment and tell me what foods you’re the most excited to try!