This year skip the long, sweaty lines at the carnival and create your own copycat recipes at home!
30 Copycat Carnival Foods
Updated on May 09, 2024
1/30
Homemade Corn Dogs
Total Time
25 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Prepare corn dogs at home just like you'd get at the fair. Both kids and grown-ups will love this hearty corn dog batter. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 corn dog: 316 calories, 23g fat (7g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 588mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.
2/30
Deep-Fried Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My kids love this delicious, indulgent treat. I like to give the batter a kick by adding a pinch of cinnamon and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. — Margarita Torres, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 100 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 123mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
3/30
Funnel Cake
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 cakes
From the Recipe Creator:
These are much simpler to make than doughnuts but taste just as good. They have been a regular treat of ours ever since we came across them when we lived in the Ozarks. —Mary Faith Yoder, Unity, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 funnel cake: 312 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 287mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.
Can’t get enough of funnel cakes? These funnel cake fries might help satisfy that funnel cake fix.
4/30
Raspberry Lemonade Concentrate
Total Time
40 min
Servings
5 pints of concentrate (4 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a concentrate that allows you to enjoy a refreshing summer beverage any time of year. Sweet raspberries balance the tartness from lemons. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 319 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 20mg sodium, 83g carbohydrate (78g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
5/30
Cheese Fries
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with this recipe after my daughter had cheese fries at a restaurant and couldn't stop talking about them. She loves that I can fix them so quickly at home. Plus, the frozen fry packets can be refrigerated and reheated. —Melissa Tatum, Greensboro, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 129 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 255mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat.
6/30
Candy Apples
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 apples
From the Recipe Creator:
The glossy coating of these old-fashioned candy apples is hard, not soft like the more common caramel variety. It's best to lick them like a lollipop. You can also cut into wedges with a sharp knife, but the candy coating may crack. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 candy apple: 634 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 39mg sodium, 167g carbohydrate (161g sugars, 4g fiber), 0 protein.
7/30
Nacho Popcorn
Total Time
10 min
Servings
5 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I like to munch on this while watching TV. The nacho flavoring is a zesty alternative to butter and salt. —Linda Boehme, Fairmont, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 98 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 245mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
8/30
Apple Cider Doughnuts
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1 dozen doughnuts plus doughnut holes
From the Recipe Creator:
Apple doughnuts remind me of family trips to South Dakota. We’d stop at Wall Drug for a dozen or so before camping in the Badlands. Maple glaze was and still is my favorite. Share a batch with friends and family who appreciate a hot, fresh apple cider doughnut. —Melissa Hansen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 335 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 338mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
9/30
Red, White and Blue Frozen Lemonade
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This patriotic drink is as pretty as it is delicious. With cherries, blueberries and lemon juice, we created a striped lemonade that is perfect for a Fourth of July celebration. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 229 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (55g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein.
10/30
Crispy Sage Chicken Tenders
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One of my mom's favorite chicken recipes used fresh sage. Her version was smothered with gravy, but we like these panko-crusted tenders as they are. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan
11/30
Loaded Waffle Fries
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Make any dinner fun with my Loaded Waffle Fries, topped with a savory blend of cheese, scallions and bacon. I copied this family-favorite recipe from a local restaurant, and it's great with hot dogs, burgers or by itself. —Jeffrey Viccone, Decatur, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 261 calories, 14g fat (8g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 404mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 10g protein.
12/30
Cheddar Corn Dog Muffins
Total Time
25 min
Servings
9 muffins
From the Recipe Creator:
I wanted to riff on hot dogs, so I made corn dog muffins. I added jalapenos to this kid-friendly recipe and won my husband over, too. —Becky Tarala, Palm Coast, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 muffin: 216 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 619mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein.
13/30
Peanut Butter Popcorn Bars
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
If you're looking for a fun snack for kids, try this chewy peanut butter popcorn recipe that have a mild peanut butter taste. They're easy to mix and can be pressed into a pan to form bars, or shaped into balls. —Kathy Oswald, Wauzeka, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 bar: 90 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 74mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
14/30
Caramel Apples
Total Time
40 min
Servings
16 servings (8 apples)
From the Recipe Creator:
Who doesn’t love a good gooey caramel apple? Make a double batch because these treats always go fast! —Karen Ann Bland, Gove, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 apple: 388 calories, 14g fat (9g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 145mg sodium, 68g carbohydrate (65g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.
15/30
Smooth Sweet Tea
Total Time
15 min
Servings
7 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A pinch of baking soda eliminates bitterness in this smooth and easy-to-sip tea and it has just the right amount of sugar so it's not overly sweet. —kelseylouise, Taste of Home Community Member
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 76 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 29mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
16/30
Eggplant Fries
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My kids love this snack—and I like that it's healthy. Coated with Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese and garlic salt, these veggie sticks are broiled, not fried, so there's no guilt when you crunch into them. —Mary Murphy, Atwater, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 135 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 577mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 medium-fat meat, 1/2 starch.
17/30
Burger Joint Onion Rings
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These onion rings cook to a crisp, golden brown. This is one of those foods you never tire of and a great side dish to so many meals. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 142 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 435mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
18/30
Strawberry Watermelon Slush
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We like to relax on the back porch with glasses of my slush after a long, hot day. Strawberries and watermelon blend up with lemon juice and sugar for an instant refresher. —Patty Howse, Great Falls, Montana
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 112 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 4mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein.
19/30
Beer Pretzels
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
8 pretzels
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm always looking for new ways to combine fun flavors, and what goes together better than beer and pretzels? Not much that I can think of. That’s why I put them together into one delicious recipe. —Alyssa Wilhite, Whitehouse, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 pretzel: 288 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 604mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
20/30
Maple Glaze for Doughnuts
Total Time
5 min
Servings
1 cup
From the Recipe Creator:
Cider doughnuts are a tradition in Vermont, but here in Texas, we love maple flavors, too. Our maple glaze of choice features delicious maple syrup. —Barbara Elliott, Tyler, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
4 teaspoons: 89 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 3mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
21/30
Lemony Cooler
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone thinks I've gone to a lot of trouble when making this refreshing summer drink, but it's so easy! I also like to make my own pretty ice cubes by adding 1/2 cup lemon juice and a mint sprig to 4 cups water.—Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 108 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 31mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fruit.
22/30
Bandito Chili Dogs
Total Time
4 hours 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These deluxe chili dogs are a surefire hit at family functions. Adults and children alike love the cheesy chili sauce, and the toppings are fun! —Marion Lowery, Medford, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 chili dog: 450 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 1442mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein.
23/30
Caramel Corn
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
about 5-1/2 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
My guests say they can't stop eating my caramel corn! For our basketball party I fix enough to fill a big red tin with our team's logo. The delectable syrup coats the popcorn well but isn't sticky. —Sharon Landeen, Tucson, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 230 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 343mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
24/30
French Fry Casserole
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Kids love this casserole because it combines two of their favorite fast foods. And I like the fact that I can whip it up with just a few ingredients and little prep time. It's a win-win for all! —Karen Owen, Rising Sun, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 352 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 668mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
25/30
Fried Pickles
Total Time
20 min
Servings
3-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
You may be surprised when you see how easy it is to make a batch of these fried pickles. They'll get snatched up in a flash! —Eloise Maynor, Scottsboro, AL
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 94 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1237mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
26/30
Soft Giant Pretzels
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 pretzels
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and our friends and family love these soft, chewy pretzels. Let the bread machine mix the dough, then all you have to do is shape and bake these fun snacks. —Sherry Peterson, Fort Collins, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 pretzel: 193 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 380mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
27/30
Mini Corn Dogs
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Fun-sized corn dogs add a little "wow" factor to any cookout or get-together. Kids and adults equally love them, so expect them to disappear fast. —Deb Perry, Bluffton, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 mini corn dog: 68 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 136mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
28/30
Candy Apple Pie
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the only apple pie my husband will eat, but that's all right since he makes it as often as I do. Like a combination of apple and pecan pie, it's a sweet treat that usually tops off our holiday meals from New Year's all the way through to Christmas!
-Cindy Kleweno, Burlington, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 476 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 318mg sodium, 66g carbohydrate (36g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
29/30
Seasoned Fries
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 servings
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 108 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 344mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein.
30/30
Pretzel Gelatin Dessert
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of my mother's absolute favorite desserts. The salty pretzel crust is the perfect complement to the sweet cream cheese filling. —Erin Frakes, Moline, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 401 calories, 22g fat (14g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 401mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (37g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
