It’s almost that time of year again!

The Minnesota State Fair has announced its official 2025 list of new foods, and there’s plenty to get excited about, including a few new takes on cheese curds (caprese and a dessert version) and two fun takes on waffles (falafel and croissant).

There are 33 new foods and eight new vendors, including Lumpia City, serving wild versions of the traditional Filipino spring rolls, and a new mocktail stand, Urban Glow, from the owners of St. Paul’s Urban Growler brewery.

With just 43 days to go, it’s time to start planning, and for us, that means staring down the barrel of trying every single one of these. (* indicates a new vendor)

Here they are, in all their deep-fried, on-a-stick, weird and wonderful glory:

1. Afro Bean Pops >> Savory deep-fried bites of ground black-eyed peas, onions, jalapeños, cilantro and seasonings. Served with a spicy red chili sauce atop a bed of mixed greens. (Vegan, Gluten Free)

At Afro Deli, in the Food Building, east wall

2. Athena’s Whipped Feta >> Whipped feta topped with schug — a Middle Eastern green sauce

made with jalapeños, garlic, cilantro, parsley and fresh herbs — drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with crunchy toasted wild rice. Served with deep-fried pita bread tossed in Dino’s signature seasoning. (Vegetarian)

At Dino’s Gyros, on the north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets

3. Birthday Cake Cookie Dough On-A-Stick >> Cake batter cookie dough made from scratch and covered in a crunchy cake confetti shell. Topped with rainbow sprinkles and served on-a-stick. (Vegetarian)

At Kora & Mila’s Cookie Dough, on the south side of Dan Patch Avenue between Cooper and Cosgrove streets

4. Bison Meatball Sub >> Bison and bacon meatballs, from Minnesota-based Eichten’s Bison and Hidden Stream Farm, topped with bison gravy, quick-pickled cucumbers, crispy fried onions and sour cream. Served on a toasted wild rice hoagie bun.

5. Cannoli Gelato Nachos >> Cannoli chips topped with a scoop of cannoli-flavored gelato. Finished with chocolate sauce, rainbow sprinkles and a cherry. (Vegetarian)

At Mancini’s al Fresco, on the north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets

6. Caprese Curds >> Mozzarella cheese curds breaded with Italian seasoning and deep fried. Served over a bruschetta-flavored blend of tomatoes and basil, and drizzled with balsamic glaze. Served with a side of crostini for scooping. (Vegetarian)

At LuLu’s Public House, at West End Market, south of Schilling Amphitheater

7. Cherry Bigfoot Limeade Float >> Limeade juice topped with cherry Dole Soft Serve, garnished with a lime slice and a cherry. (Vegan, Gluten Free)

At Tasti Whip, on the northwest corner of Dan Patch Avenue & Underwood Street

8. Chicken-Fried Bacon Fries >> Beef bacon strips double-breaded in tempura flour and fried. Garnished with fresh parsley and served in a cup. Choice of two dipping sauces: Cashville Hot, a brown sugar Nashville-style hot sauce; or 24k Gold BBQ, a passion fruit Charleston gold barbecue sauce.

At Soul Bowl, in the Food Building, east wall

9. Cinna-sugar Crust Tidbits >> Freshly baked flaky pie crust strips covered in cinnamon and sugar. Served with a side of whiskey-flavored caramel dipping sauce. (Vegetarian, Vegan upon request)

At Sara’s Tipsy Pies, in the Food Building, northwest wall

10. Croffle Cloud >> Croissant pressed in a waffle iron and topped with fresh whipped sweet cream, a drizzle of fruit puree and a cloud of cotton candy. Choice of three flavors: Banana Caramel — caramel drizzle with banana taffy cotton candy; Yuzu Meringue — yuzu puree with lemon meringue cotton candy; or Coconut Cream — coconut drizzle with coconut cotton candy. (Vegetarian)

At Spinning Wylde, north of Wright Avenue between Cooper and Cosgrove streets, at Family Fair at Baldwin Park

11. Deep-Fried Tofuego Bites >> Bites of breaded tofu, deep fried and tossed in a tangy, spicy sauce. Served on a bed of pineapple and napa cabbage slaw. Topped with sesame seeds and scallions. (Vegan)

At Rooted & Wild (Snack House), in the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum, south side

12. Dill Pickle Iced Tea >> Brewed black tea infused with dill pickle flavor and served with a dill pickle spear. Garnished with a rim of chamoy, Tajín, salt and dill. (Vegan, Gluten Free)

At Loon Lake Iced Tea, on the west side of Underwood Street between Wright and Dan Patch avenues

13. Fawaffle >> Falafel — a traditional Middle Eastern fritter of chickpeas and herbs — pressed in a waffle iron, topped with tahini butter, and served with cherry tomatoes, traditional hummus, green shatta, mint and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. (Vegetarian)

At Baba’s, on the west side of Underwood Street between Lee and Randall avenues

14. Flauta Dippers >> Seasoned shredded chicken stuffed in rolled corn tortillas and fried. Served in a cup filled with mild tomatillo salsa, sour cream and crumbled cotija cheese.

At El Burrito Mercado, at the International Bazaar, south wall

15. Freaky Fryday >> Chicken-fried vegan bacon served with vegan fried chicken strips infused with bacon flavor. Optional toppings include mini donut cinnamon sugar and maple syrup, pickle seasoning and ranch dressing, spicy buffalo sauce and dragon dust — or a combination of all three. (Vegan)

At The Herbivorous Butcher, in the Food Building, west section, south wall

16. Grandma Doreen’s Dessert Dog >> Vanilla ice cream, created by Minnesota Dairy Lab, sandwiched between two pieces of Grandma Doreen’s Coffee Cake — a family recipe from Elgin, Minn. — made by Wrecktangle Pizza. Skewered on a stick and drizzled with house-made strawberry rhubarb jam. Garnished with cinnamon toast-flavored crispy treats, whipped cream and sprinkles. (Vegetarian)

At West End Creamery, at West End Market, northwest section

17. Green Apple Sucker Ice Cream >> Tart green apple ice cream with swirls of sweet caramel — flavored like a caramel apple lollipop. Served in a cup. (Vegetarian, Gluten Free)

At Granny’s Apples + Lemonade, in the Food Building, west wall

18. Hot Honey Jalapeño Popper Donut >> Hand-cut yeast-raised donut frosted with homemade jalapeño cream cheese. Topped with crumbled bacon, pickled jalapeños and drizzled with hot honey.

At Fluffy’s Hand Cut Donuts, on the northwest corner of Carnes Avenue & Chambers Street

19. Hot Honey Pizza Ballzz >> Three pizza dough balls stuffed with cheese curds, pepperoni, herbs and Parmesan cheese. Brushed with garlic butter and topped with more pepperoni, herbs and Parmesan cheese. Finished with a drizzle of hot honey sauce.

At Green Mill, on the east side of Cooper Street between Randall and Wright avenues, at Family Fair at Baldwin Park

20: Hula Kalua Pork >> Slow-smoked pork collar caramelized with Hawaiian barbecue sauce, inspired by the flavors of traditional Hawaiian Kalua pork. Served atop a charred banana leaf with banana chips and Japanese quick-pickled cucumbers on the side. Finished with a sprinkle of coarse red sea salt.

At RC’s BBQ, on the north side of West Dan Patch Avenue between Liggett and Chambers streets

21. Land of 10,000 Cakes >> A Bridgeman’s Marble Sundae of Butter Brittle Ice Cream layered in a cup with a trio of mini Nadia Cupcakes — Creme Brulee, Loaded Pistachio and Chocolate Bliss. Topped with whipped cream and a cherry. (Vegetarian)

At Bridgeman’s Ice Cream, on the northeast corner of Judson Avenue and Liggett Street

22. Patisserie Sweets in Two Varieties >> Two pastries from Patisserie 46. Apple Glaze: Pull-apart donut dough baked with Minnesota-grown Honeycrisp apples. Topped with brown sugar pecan streusel and orange blossom maple glaze. (Vegetarian)

Banana S’more: Baked brown-butter crumb cake with bananas, marshmal

lows and chocolate chunks. Topped with a graham cracker streusel. (Vegetarian)

At Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop, on the north side of Dan Patch Avenue between Cooper and Cosgrove streets

23. Pimento Cheese Puffs >> Pimento cheese — a blend of cheddar cheese, mayo and pimento peppers — wrapped in puff pastry and deep fried. Served with a side of pepper jelly. (Vegetarian)

At Shanghai Henri’s, at the International Bazaar, north wall

24. Pizza Cheese Curd Tacos >> Pepperoni, sausage and pizza-flavored fried cheese curds in a crispy flour shell, topped with marinara sauce and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

At Richie’s Cheese Curd Tacos, on the west side of Chambers Street between West Dan Patch and Carnes avenues

25. Pot of Gold Potato Dumplings >> Cheesy garlic mashed potatoes folded into flaky dumplings, by Twin Cities-based Saturday Dumpling Co., and deep fried. Served with a side of Top the Tater® “The Original” Chive Onion dip. (Vegetarian)

At O’Gara’s at the Fair, on the southwest corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Cosgrove Street

26. Shrimp & Pork Toast On-A-Stick >> A mixture of ground pork and shrimp combined with Hmong aromatics — lemongrass, ginger, garlic, shallots and Thai chilis — seasoned with fish sauce, spread on Texas toast and deep fried. Served on a stick with a side of apricot jelly hot sauce.

At Union Hmong Kitchen, at the International Bazaar, south wall, west corner

27. Smashadilla >> Smashed seasoned ground beef and Gouda cheese grilled on a flour tortilla. Served folded and dressed with caramelized onions, lettuce, pickles and Gass Station Grill’s homemade burger sauce.

At Gass Station Grill, on the west side of Cooper Street between Dan Patch and Judson avenues, outside southeast corner of the Food Building

* 28. Somali Street Fries >> A blend of Somali Beef Suqaar — spiced beef, vegetables, cheese and herbs — piled atop a bed of french fries. Topped with white garlic sauce and green jalapeño hot sauce.

At Midtown Global Market’s Oasis Grill & Hoyo Sambusa, in the Taste of the Midtown Global Market booth at the International Bazaar, east wall (Aug. 21-26 only)

29. Sweet Squeakers >> White cheddar cheese curds coated in a funnel cake batter, deep fried, and topped with a scoop of fresh lemon whipped cream. Finished with a drizzle of berry sauce. (Vegetarian)

At The Blue Barn, at West End Market, south of the History & Heritage Center

30. Tandoori Chicken Quesaratha >> Spiced tandoori chicken layered with a blend of Monterey Jack and mozzarella cheese and a mixture of sauteed onions, mixed bell peppers, jalapeños, corn, cilantro and green chilis. Folded inside paratha bread and griddled on a flat top grill. Served with a side of Holy Land’s Avocado Cilantro Lime Sauce.

At Holy Land, at the International Bazaar, southeast corner

31. Timber Twists >> A savory mixture of Italian sausage, mozzarella, cream cheese and barbecue rub piped into three large manicotti shells, then wrapped in bacon. Cooked in a wood-fired smoker for an infusion of smokey flavor. Served with a side of Giggles’ signature barbecue sauce.

At Giggles’ Campfire Grill, on the southeast corner of Lee Avenue and Cooper Street at The North Woods

32. Triple Chocolate Mini Donuts >> Chocolate mini donuts dusted with powdered sugar, drizzled with chocolate icing, and topped with chocolate sprinkles and mini milk chocolate chips. Served in a bucket rimmed with more chocolate icing and sprinkles. (Vegetarian)

At Solem’s Cheese Curds & Mini Donuts, on the east side of Underwood Street between Murphy and Lee avenues

33. Uncrustaburger >> A 4 oz. hamburger patty with cheese, pickles and special sauce, sandwiched between two deep-fried peanut butter & grape jelly Uncrustables.

At Coasters, on the southeast corner of Carnes Avenue and Liggett Street

NEW FOOD VENDORS

1. Beans & Beignets >> Beans & Beignets serves freshly made beignets (deep-fried pastry dough topped with powdered sugar), plus a variety of iced and hot beverages, including tea, coffee, chai lattes and espresso drinks.

On the northwest corner of Judson Avenue and Clough Street

2. Chocolate Strawberry Cup >> Chocolate Strawberry Cup serves fresh strawberries in a cup with toppings in four flavors: Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cup (layered with Belgian-style chocolate, pistachio butter, kataifi and pistachios); Matcha White Chocolate Strawberry Cup (layered with matcha white chocolate and melted chocolate topped with marshmallow sauce); Chocolate Strawberry Cup (covered with melted Belgian-style chocolate); and Chocolate Strawberries & Cream (covered in melted chocolate and topped with a tower of whipped cream and chocolate drizzle). All strawberry cups are gluten free, except the Dubai chocolate cup.

On the southwest corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Cooper Street

3. Greater Tater >> Greater Tater serves Tater Kegs — jumbo deep-fried tots stuffed with savory fillings — in five flavors: Bacon Jalapeño; Bacon Cheddar; Breakfast Skillet; Cheese Bomb; and Reuben. Served with choice of sauces: thousand island, blue cheese, Top the Tater®, maple syrup and ketchup. All Tater Kegs are gluten-free.

On the west side of Liggett Street between Carnes and Judson avenues, outside the Horse Barn

4. Lumpia City >> Lumpia City serves lumpia — traditional Filipino fried spring rolls — in two fusion flavors: Pizza Lumpia (mozzarella, pepperoni, Italian sausage, pizza sauce and Italian herbs); and turon-inspired Ube Butter Banana French Toast Lumpia (French toast strips soaked in ube butter syrup with caramelized bananas, dusted with powdered sugar).

On the north side of Judson Avenue between Liggett and Clough streets

5. Magdalena’s Chimney Cakes >> Magdalena’s Chimney Cakes serves Chimney Cakes (a rotisserie-baked Hungarian pastry shaped like a cone) filled with vanilla ice cream and choice of Nutella® or caramel spread and toppings (crushed OREO® Cookies, rainbow sprinkles or frosted flakes).

On the north side of Judson Avenue between Clough and Nelson streets

6. Midtown Global Market’s Irie Jamaican >> Midtown Global Market’s Irie Jamaican serves oxtail (jerk or barbecue) with festival (a sweet, fried bread); sweet plantains; coconut shrimp skewers; and a ginger and hibiscus drink. (Aug. 27 to Sept. 1 only)

In the Taste of the Midtown Global Market booth at the International Bazaar, east wall

7. Midtown Global Market’s Oasis Grill & Hoyo Sambusa >> Midtown Global Market’s Oasis Grill & Hoyo Sambusa serves Official New Food Somali Street Fries; cones of mini sambusas and full-size sambusas (beef or lentil) with choice of sauce; and slushies in two flavors (Vimto and watermelon). (Aug. 21-26 only)

In the Taste of the Midtown Global Market booth at the International Bazaar, east wall

8. Urban Glow Mocktails >> Urban Glow Mocktails serves craft mocktails, including: Dirty NoTini (lemon, dill pickling spices & olive brine); Nojito (minty-lime with a hint of molasses); CosNo (cranberry, orange & lime); Grilled Peach No Fashioned (caramelized peach garnished with peach & cherry); Autumn Mule (apple, warm cinnamon & spicy ginger); Pineapple Upside Down Cake (chilled pineapple slushie); Bonspiel Blue (cucumber, lemon & blue tea); and Nitro Cold Brew (cold brew on tap, carbonated with nitrogen, with assorted flavor shots). Plus, small bites — Cheweenies (mini Kramarczuk’s all-beef hot dogs nestled in sweet Hawaiian rolls paired with mocktail-inspired mustards).

At the North End, northwest section, across from the North End Event Center