SPPL on a Stick!

The Minnesota State Fair Is Almost Here—Get a Taste with the Library!

From corn on the cob to cookies in a bucket, the Minnesota State Fair is a celebration of all things delicious—and the library has the perfect menu to get you in the fair-food spirit. Whether you're craving deep-fried classics, dreaming of homemade jam, or curious about how to make your own lemonade stand out, we’ve got cookbooks and resources to satisfy your curiosity (and your appetite).

Read on for tasty titles, sweet ideas, and inspiration for your next culinary creation—no admission ticket required.

If you're go to staple is....

Sweet Martha's Cookies

Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar

The Great Minnesota Cookie Book


Corn Roast

A 'Fair' bit of food at the Minnesota State Fair - Post Bulletin | Rochester Minnesota news, weather, sports

Our Precious Corn


Cheese Curds

My 5 favorite foods at the Minnesota State Fair | Tangled Up In Food

I [heart] Cheese


If you're jumping at the chance to try these new foods....

cake pop with sprinkles

Birthday Cake Cookie Dough On-A-Stick at Kora & Mila’s Cookie Dough:

Cake batter cookie dough covered in a crunchy cake confetti shell. Topped with rainbow sprinkles and served on-a-stick. (vegetarian) 

Cake Pops


food on a stick

Shrimp & Pork Toast On-A-Stick at Union Hmong Kitchen:

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.

Cooking From the Heart


cheese curds in a taco shell

Pizza Cheese Curd Tacos at Richie’s 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.

Truly Madly Pizza

Sunny Days, Taco Nights


Want more? Check out our staff curated lists of state fair inspired cookbooks and recommended reads or search for "cookbooks" or "State Fair recipes" in our catalog and get cooking.