10 Popular Carnival Foods You Can Make At Home

Carnival food is most likely associated with the joy, magic, and excitement that comes with experiencing an amazing carnival. It easily reminds you of the festive music you hear all over the fair, the thrilling rides and games, the uplifting ambiance felt by families and friends attending the event, and of course, the comfort you get from the delicious food.

Have you ever thought about trying to make these carnival foods at home, to try and fulfil your craving and to experience the magic, nostalgia, and all the good feelings that they bring straight?

We’ve found 10 of the most popular Carnival foods for you to try at home. So gather the kids and get those ingredients ready. 

1. Corn dogs

This must-eat carnival food is perfect for snacking and warding off hunger after work or school. You just need cornmeal, all-purpose flour, white sugar, baking powder, egg, milk, salt and pepper, frankfurter, and of course, wooden skewers. Mix the ingredients, fry them until they are lightly brown, drain the oil, and you’re good to go. Pouring the batter into a tall glass and dipping the skewer into it simplifies things.

Here’s a good YouTube tutorial to follow to make Corn Dogs

2. Funnel cakes

Funnel cakes are relatively simple to make. Just pour the batter into a hot frying pan using a funnel to create a swirly, delicately thin, and crisp cake. Wait until the dough becomes light brown before removing it from the fryer, then sprinkle it with powdered sugar.

Go to this blog to get an in depth guide to making Funnel Cakes at home.

3. Chocolate-covered frozen bananas

This is perfect if you want to introduce fruits to your kids’ carnival snacks and it is quite fun and easy to make. Freeze the popsicle-skewered banana first for an hour or so, then dip it in melted chocolate before rolling it in sprinkles or nuts. Put it on a waxed paper and freeze it again. There you go!

4. Churros

Churros can be challenging to make, but they are basically the doughier and longer version of funnel cakes. They are best consumed within 10 minutes of removing them from the fryer when they are still deliciously warm and crispy.

5. Caramel apples

Preparing caramel apples at home is as easy as 1-2-3. Microwave a bowl of caramel and milk, roll each apple (placed on a craft stick) in the sauce, and put the apple on a baking sheet for it to set.

6. Fried dill pickles

Make sure to pair this with ranch dressing. But first, prepare milk, eggs, flour, pepper, preferred sauce, seasoning, and frying oil. Dip the pickles into the mixture made of the mentioned ingredients and deep fry them.

7. Snow Cone

Your kids will definitely love this cold and flavoruful treat. Using your blender, just crush some ice using the ice-crushing option or regular blending function of the machine. While doing this, add water to the mixture until you attain the desired consistency. Finally, put some of the resulting mix to a paper cone and pump in your favorite flavors.

8. Caramel corn

This addictive carnival food is also simple to prepare. Pop the popcorn first then mix corn syrup, brown sugar, salt, and margarine in a saucepan, let it boil then stir it constantly for 5 minutes or so. After removing it from heat, mix it with vanilla and baking soda, and pour it over the popped popcorn. Bake the new mixture for an hour and you now have a good snack sealed carefully in re-sealable containers.

Here’s a great Skinny recipe to make Caramel corn at home, perfect if you’re counting the calories.

9. Corn on the cob

It is relatively easy to make. Just buy corn from your local grocery store and roast in the oven for around an hour in their husks before slathering it with butter and other toppings.

10. Cotton Candy

It’s an all-time favourite of kids and even adults. Doing this might be more challenging than any other food included on this list, but it does not mean that it is impossible. You will need 4 cups of sugar, 1 cup of corn syrup, 1 cup of water, ¼ teaspoon of raspberry extract, 2 drops of pink food colouring and lollipop sticks for serving. Just combine all the ingredients and heat the mixture up to 320 degrees Fahrenheit. After that, ask your kids to put the flavour extract you will use.

This video shows you how to make Cotton Candy at home, without a machine.

These recipes sound all too yummy, tempting and perfect to keep the kids busy this Summer!

Don’t think you’ll get the time to whip these traditional favourites up in the kitchen? Don’t worry!

Shooting Star Amusements has most of these traditional treats and more available at all our events throughout British Columbia in August and September 2018.

We’ll be in a city near you this Summer. Our next events are;

– Abbotsford Agrifair (Aug 03 – Aug 05 2018)

– Penticton Peach Festival (Aug 08 – Aug 12 2018)

Check out the full list of our events in British Columbia this Summer and we’ll see you there!