No fairs or carnivals coming to town due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Then make all of your favorite fair foods we love so much into one amazing burger right at home! This incredible burger has everything perfectly combined for the most delicious, State Fair-style burger you’ve ever tasted! 

*This epic burger is part of a fan-frickin-tastic month-long event hosted by Girl Carnivore, but opinions are always my own!

 

 

If you’re new, #BurgerMonth is an incredible event put on by Kita Roberts, of Girl Carnivore, that was created out of the love of burgers and summer grilling & smoking! Bloggers from all over the world get together, create outstanding burgers, and share our recipes all throughout the month of May!

So, not only are you treated to tons of EPIC recipes, but there’s also a fantastic giveaway that you can enter to win! (*Entry at the bottom of this post.) 

 

Here’s this year’s awesome prize package!!

Anvil & Hammer Knife: Damascus Chef Knife – Kitchen Knife – 67 Layer 8″ VG-10 Super Steel Hammer Finish Blade – Full Tang Rosewood Handle – Presented in Gift Box – Sheath Inc

Cabot Cheese: Cheese Gift Box Valued at $75

New York Beef Council: Lego Creator Monster Burger Truck Kit and Beef Swag 

Red Duck: 1 Bottle of Gourmet Ketchup

Spoonabilities: Grilling Gift Basket including: Eleia Greek Olive Oil & Vinegar Gift Set, Mr. & Mrs. Greek Mandarin Marmalade, Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Dip, Salt Odyssey Journey of Salts | Herbal Salt Mixes, The Magnificent Five Greek Olives Varieties, Vegan Fig Salami with Orange Zest, & Greek Pine Honey

 

(I mean, that Lego Monster Burger Truck is worth entering for all by itself!)

 

                                         ~  ♥ ————- ♥ ————- ♥ ~

 

 

Ok, so the whole idea for my second crazy concoction for this year’s event, came about when I was bummed about there most likely not being any fairs or carnivals this year due to this horrific COVID-19 pandemic.

Even if they do have a few small ones, I certainly won’t be taking the chance of going and getting sick (*again)! I’ve had it for a total of 8 weeks now, and am scared that I might even have permanent, or semi-permanent, lung damage. With all of my underlying medical issues, I’m damn lucky to even be here at all. 

So, no fairs or carnivals for this girl this year! 

But, who says we can’t enjoy why we go to them anyways, right at home. Right?!

 

THE FOOD!! I know. Omg…I am a total fair food junkie all the way from the corn dogs, to the fried veggies, to the funnel cakes!  

 

So. This whole incredibly-tasting, sure to be a messy-face burger, started with a “pandemic bored-ordered” funnel cake kit, that we got through Amazon for free, using rewards points! Can’t beat free with a mole-whacking mallet!   

The kit, (*plus my biscuit cutter rings to make the funnel cake “buns” much smaller and more slider/small burger-sized, and a container of cheese powder that I wanted to sprinkle them with, instead of the usual powdered sugar),… 

 

 

 

This is actually what the kit came with….

 

 

 

 

As you can see, the tiny ring I used was just a mere 3 inches in diameter. More slider-sized, than even burger-sized.

 

 

 

 

So, though this crazy burger looks big in it’s close-up, it was actually quite a normal size. Had I left off the pepper ring, it actually would’ve been considered more of a “slider” than a full-sized burger. 

But, you can of course, make them bigger if you want to. 

So just put whatever sized ring you’re using into a deep pan, and fill the pan until the oil comes halfway up the ring. And heat up! 

 

 

 

 

The ring pictured below, is the one that the kit came with that I used the next day to finish off the last of the batter, making full-sized ones for breakfast. DOUSED with powdered sugar, of course! 

 

 

 

 

I had no idea that these were SO EASY to make! Honestly, you can make these with children, (*with guidance), and teens could easily do this all by themselves. (Ones that have been taught about how to use hot oil, of course.) 

 

 

 

 

Pictured below are the SMALL ones, made with the metal biscuit cutter, and sprinkled with cheddar cheese powder! You can use anything similar to what I used, or even the packet from a box of mac ‘n cheese. 

*Just save the pasta noodles for something else in the future! 

 

 

 

 

So, I mean seriously, how cool is this? A cheddar-powdered funnel cake for the bun!!! I know!! You seriously just HAVE to make this!! 

 

 

 

 

And to keep in the whole “burger them mode”, start layering your favorite basic burger toppings. I started with a few torn lettuce leaves….

 

 

 

 

…and some small, still-on-the-vine, thinly sliced tomatoes. Small Roma tomatoes are ideal, but our stores had NONE. So just use the smallest ones you can find, or only place one slice on if your tomatoes are regular-sized or large. 

 

 

 

 

Next is the burger. You can make whatever size you want, and cook it however you want, and to what doneness you prefer.

 

 

 

 

I grilled ours, and made them very small, being just quarter-pound burgers (*before grilling). 

 

 

 

 

Next, came my personal favorite part…CORN DOG SLICES!! 

 

It simply would NOT be a State Fair burger without a corn dog, right?!! (*I just nuked and sliced pre-made frozen ones that were actually quite DELICIOUS. Who knew???)

I’m thinking that these tasty li’l buggers are going to be an “emergency hunger attack” staple in our house from now on! 

 

 

 

 

Up next is my “chili dog chili”! Nice and thick so it doesn’t run all over the place, (including down your elbows, chin, and into your lap)! That’s never fun! 

 

 

 

 

And what else is a TOP FAVE at the fair? Why, nacho cheese, of course!! The perfect, easy, cheese sauce to ladle over this drool-worthy baby! Just TWO ingredients and you’re there!! 

 

 

 

 

Lastly, is a beer-battered green bell pepper ring!! 

 

Because another one of my must-have personal faves at fairs and carnivals, is always the basket of fried veggies!! I cannot leave the fair without having whatever local veggies they have, dipped in batter, and deep-fried until golden and delicious!

So, yeah, that also had a part in this little production! 

 

 

 

 

ALL of my faves, piled onto one KICK BUTT, amazing burger that has every flavor you’re missing from your local and state fairs and carnivals! 

 

 

 

This burger, lemme tell ya, may have been small, (it actually was in real life, don’t let the close-up fool ya!), was one of the most FUN burgers that I’ve ever made!!

And, to boot, it was FREAKING AWESOME-tasting!!

Hit the bullseye target and won a goldfish!!! 

 

So, if you’re like me, and LOVE the excitement of fairs and carnivals, and are missing them too, bring it all home right into your own kitchen and just make this easy, “State Fair Funnel Cake Burger”! It tastes just like the fair all piled onto one burger!

Just because our “normal lives” are on hold, doesn’t mean we have to stop living. Let’s just have a little fun!  But, safely, right at home!

Hope you all enjoy!! STAY SAFE. STAY HOME. WEAR A MASK if you MUST go out! 

 

 

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway
for a chance to win an EPIC prize package!!!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Disclaimer: Thank you to #BurgerMonth Sponsors: Cabot, Anvil & Hammer, New York Beef Council, Red Duck Foods, and Spoonabilities for providing prizes for this epic event. All opinions are my own. The #BurgerMonth giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All winning entries are verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness.

The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. One winner for each weekly giveaway will be selected. The prize packages are sent directly from the sponsors. Winners have 48 hours to respond or they forfeit the prize and another winner(s) will be chosen.

The #BurgerMonth Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the #BurgerMonth posts or entry.

 

This year’s participants!

🍔 Girl Carnivore 🍔 A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures 🍔A Day in the Life on the Farm 🍔 A Merry Recipe 🍔 An Affair from the Heart 🍔Art of Natural Living 🍔 Caroline’s Cooking 🍔Chef Justin Grimm 🍔Chiles and Smoke 🍔 City Living Boston 🍔Comfortably Domestic 🍔Culinary Adventures with Camilla 🍔Daily Dish Recipes 🍔 Everyday Eileen 🍔 Everyday Southwest 🍔 For the Love of Food 🍔Good Cook Doris 🍔Grillax: Fire. Food. Fun. 🍔 Grilling Montana 🍔 Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks 🍔 Jolene’s Recipe Journal 🍔 Karen’s Kitchen Stories 🍔 Kate’s Recipe Box 🍔Kudos Kitchen by Renee 🍔Life Currents 🍔 Life of a Ginger 🍔Making Miracles 🍔Man Meat BBQ 🍔 Miss in the KItchen 🍔Off the Eaten Path 🍔Our Good Life 🍔 Palatable Pastime 🍔 Pastry Chef Online 🍔 Real Life With Dad 🍔Renee Nicole’s Kitchen – Everyday Gourmet 🍔 Sarah’s Cucina Bella 🍔Savoring Midlife 🍔Seduction in the Kitchen 🍔 Simple and Savory 🍔 Spoonabilities 🍔 Sumptuous Spoonfuls 🍔 Swirls of Flavor 🍔 The Redhead Baker 🍔 The Spiffy Cookie 🍔This is How I Cook 🍔 Thyme for Cocktails 🍔What’s Cooking Italian Style Cuisine 🍔 Wildflour’s Cottage Kitchen 🍔Wile E. BBQ 🍔 Wok & Skillet 🍔

 

 

Thank you to Kita Roberts, of Girl Carnivore, for all of the hard work and love you put into this event every year! Very much appreciated and enjoyed by all! 

 

 

 

State Fair Funnel Cake Burger / #BurgerMonth 2020

Print

Ingredients

• 2 fried funnel cakes for "buns", (made from a mix)
• lettuce leaf or finely shredded bed
• tomato slices 
• 1/4 - 1/2 lb. burger, grilled to your liking
• 1 cooked corn dog, stick removed and sliced on the bias
• chili (*recipe follows)
• cheddar nacho cheese sauce with green chilies, (*recipe follows)
• fried bell pepper rings, (*recipe follows) 
• funnel cake for top bun
• cheddar cheese powder (instead of powdered sugar)
• (oil for frying)

For Chili:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 cup V8 Spicy Hot Tomato/Vegetable Juice
• 1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste, I prefer Hunt's
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 tsp. Better Than Bouillon Beef Base
• 1 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 2 Tbl. quality chili powder
• 1 Tbl. cumin
• 1/2 tsp. sweet smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 tsp. spicy brown mustard
• 1/4 tsp. fine garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp. dark brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne
• 1/4 tsp. coarse ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp. smoked salt, (I just order mine online), can sub regular salt
• 1/4 tsp. regular table salt
• 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
• 1/4 tsp. cajun seasoning such as Slap Ya Mama

For Cheddar Nacho Cheese Sauce: 

• 1 cup jarred Cheez Whiz
• 1 small can (4.5 oz.) chopped green chilies
• (*a little milk or cream if you like it thinner)

For Bell Pepper Rings:

• 1 small bell pepper, any color, sliced
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup beer
• 1 tsp. salt

Instructions

Make the Chili First (*A day ahead is a good thing!*): In large frying pan, cook the ground beef until done, chopping the meat until fairly fine while cooking. Drain grease. Add rest of ingredients, stir well, bring to a simmer, and simmer, stirring almost constantly, for about 10 minutes. Longer if you want it thicker. Cover and set aside. 

Mix up both batters, funnel cake (*according to manufacturers directions) and beer batter, (in separate bowls), pour funnel cake batter into pitcher, set both aside.

In small to medium bowl, add Cheez Whiz and green chilies. Stir. Cover, and heat when ready. Prep any burger toppings you'd like such as lettuce, tomato, onion, etc. And slice green bell pepper into thin rings. 

Grill your burger(s), tent to keep warm.

Heat oil, and make funnel cakes according to the manufacturer's directions. (*Takes only about 45 seconds.) Sprinkle with cheddar cheese powder using a mesh strainer. 

Dip pepper rings into beer batter and fry until golden. (*About 2 minutes.) 

While cakes and pepper rings are cooling a little, heat nacho cheese sauce and chili in the microwave, and burger also if need be. Microwave a corn dog, and slice. (*Mine only took 45 seconds.)

To Assemble: On a plate, place one cheese-powdered funnel cake, topped with lettuce, tomato, a burger, corn dog slices, spoonfuls of chili, a ladle (or 2!) of nacho cheese sauce, a fried bell pepper ring, and another funnel cake. Sprinkle more cheddar cheese powder on top, and you've got yourself the entire State Fair in one glorious burger!! Dig in and ENJOY!!!