Drench in batter, fry and impale on a stick. For vendors, it’s a routine that becomes robotic as hundreds of people clamor for the fair’s newest oddities. As an ode to the NC State Fair, I’ve recreated a few portable favorites that require minimal effort. As is the case with most fair food, one will either find the following recipes repulsive or appealing.

Chicken and waffle bites

If you’ve ever tried the unlikely pairing, you understand why it’s a staple of soul food. While there are certainly more elaborate and qualified ways to prepare it, the following rendition can be made in less than five minutes. 

Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients:

• 12 Chick-fil-A nuggets
• ¼ cup of maple syrup
• Eggo waffle minis
• Toothpicks

 Preparation:

1. Remove 12 Eggo waffle minis from the box and place in toaster. Toast on the lightest setting; two cycles may be necessary to achieve the right crispiness. Do not detach the waffles from one another prior to toasting, unless you enjoy creating adversity for yourself. If you don’t have a toaster, you can bake them in the oven for four minutes at 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Perhaps the most appropriate method would be microwaving, as it replicates the sogginess of fair food we all know and love. 
2. Remove the waffle minis from the toaster, separate them and arrange on a serving platter. Place one chicken nugget on top of each waffle.
3. Insert toothpicks for portability. 
4. Drizzle in maple syrup. Pour leftover syrup in cup for dipping.

 Bucket of cookies

 Reminisce on your childhood days of raiding the cookie jar with this easy recipe.  

 Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients:

•  2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup of softened butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups of milk chocolate morsels 
• 8 ounces of Howling Cow milk

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, beat butter, sugars and vanilla extract until smooth. Add eggs one at a time.
4. Slowly add dry mixture into the mixer bowl.
5. Fold chocolate morsels into the mixture.
6. Drop two tablespoons of cookie dough onto an ungreased baking sheet.
7. Bake for 12 minutes until golden brown. Adjust for individual preference. 
8. Gently place cookies in a plastic bucket and serve with Howling Cow milk.

Caramel apples

I know what you’re thinking; making caramel apples at home is more trouble than they’re worth. You’re right. However, one can take the lazy route using pre-made caramel without sacrificing taste. 

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients:

•  11oz package of Kraft caramel
• 2 tablespoons of milk of choice
• 6 apples of choice
• Finely chopped bag of nuts [optional]
• Wax paper
• 1 king-sized Hershey milk chocolate bar
• 6 wooden sticks [these can be purchased at any craft store]

Preparation:

1.  Wash the apples and freeze them for 20 minutes.
2. Remove the stalks and insert the sticks into the stem ends of the apples.
3. Pour the entire bag of caramels and milk into a glass bowl. Microwave for two minutes.
4. Cover the apples in caramel mixture and refrigerate until firm. Once firm, microwave chocolate bar for two minutes and 15 seconds. 
5. Roll caramel apples in the nuts and drizzle chocolate. Serve. 

Gallery • 2 Photos

Sorena Dadgar

Caramel apples offer a classic snack for those with a sweet tooth. These were dipped in caramel, then coated in peanuts and drizzled with chocolate.