The Official Food of Every State
Updated: Feb. 05, 2024
Each state in America has foods associated with it, whether it's a dish invented there or a crop grown in abundance. Many have proudly chosen to designate these as the state food, officially claiming a piece of what makes the United States great!
Each state celebrates what they have to offer with an official food. Find out what the states have to offer from coast to coast. Some of the official picks might surprise you!
Alabama
Wild turkeys are abundant in the Yellowhammer State and have been the state game bird since 1980. They can weigh more than 20 pounds, and though they’ll taste quite different from their farm-raised counterparts, they roast up beautifully.
Alaska
The Last Frontier harvests a good deal of the seafood in the United States, and salmon is an important contribution. The best of the best catch from here can be smoked, cured, dehydrated or even turned into candy!
Arizona
People have actually petitioned to have the chimichanga (essentially a deep-fried burrito) named as the Grand Canyon State’s official food, but to no avail…so far. For now, it remains the state’s fave unofficial state food.
California
The Golden State unconventionally declared four different nuts as its official state food, but almonds are the obvious choice. The state produces 80 percent of the world’s crops!
Colorado
Many of the lambs raised in America come from the Centennial State. While it hasn’t been declared an official state food, lamb should definitely be in the running.
Connecticut
Not many states have an official cookie, but the Constitution State has called dibs on the delicious snickerdoodle. This cinnamon-sugar-coated treat would combine nicely with the state’s official dessert, ice cream.
Delaware
Peaches are an important part of the First State’s agricultural heritage. So Delaware has named peach pie its official dessert. Whether you prefer a classic version or one that’s a little more unique, it’s hard to go wrong with a peach pie.
Florida
We all associate the Sunshine State with oranges, but its official dessert—Key lime pie—is even more delicious. Key limes are smaller and seedier than the kind commonly seen in stores, so while it takes some extra effort to juice them, you’ll be glad you did.
Georgia
Though the Peach State lists grits and Vidalia onions as alternative official foods, Georgia will most likely always be associated with the juicy fruit that inspired its nickname. Georgians produce tens of thousands of tons each year; imagine all the crumbles you could make with that many peaches!
Hawaii
While it’s common to think of SPAM as the Aloha State’s key food, its only official item is the coconut muffin! Hawaii is one of the few places in America where coconut palms grow.
Idaho
Whether you prefer russet, red, fingerling or gold, potatoes are an American staple that the Gem State has rightly claimed as its official food. Idaho is the top potato producer in the U.S.
Illinois
Did you know that the Prairie State is a top grower of popcorn? It’s an important part of Illinois’ agricultural production—making it a natural choice as the official snack food.
Indiana
The Hoosier State is proud of its sugar cream pie! This official state pie is made with ingredients people almost always have on hand, which also explains its nickname—”desperation pie.”
Iowa
Inexplicably but delightfully, the Hawkeye State has chosen s’mores as its official snack. Who needs a reason when s’mores are involved?
Kansas
Although Kansas hasn’t proclaimed an official food, barbecue is commonly associated with the Sunflower State. A state could do worse than have a plate of barbecued ribs as its official food!
Kentucky
The Bluegrass State named the blackberry its official fruit in 2004. This beautiful berry is ideal for cobblers and jams. And no, the state beverage is not bourbon. It’s milk.
Louisiana
Not all states have an official doughnut, but it’s no surprise that the Pelican State has claimed beignets. These deep-fried pastry pillows have become synonymous with New Orleans.
Maine
You might associate the Pine Tree State with blueberries and maple syrup, but it’s gone rogue and designated whoopie pies as the state treat. Maine even has a festival dedicated to the tasty cookie sandwiches.
Maryland
One can’t help but think of crab as the Old Line State’s most obvious official state food… and it is. Not coincidentally, it’s also the official state crustacean.
Massachusetts
Is Boston cream pie—the Bay State’s official dessert—a cake or a pie (or both)? Who cares?! It’s delish.
Michigan
The Great Lakes State doesn’t have an official state food, but one popular suggestion is the Coney dog. Though variations exist throughout the state, the most common denominators seem to be a steamed dog, steamed bun, meaty sauce, yellow mustard and maybe a sprinkle of onions.
Minnesota
Morel mushrooms abound in parts of the North Star State, and they were adopted as the official state mushroom in 1984. The honeycomb appearance makes it a breeze to identify, but not so easy to find.
Mississippi
The Magnolia State has only one official food, and it happens to be a sweet one that melts in your mouth: butter cookies!
Missouri
Not too long ago, the Show-Me State appointed the humble ice cream cone as its state dessert. It makes sense since the cone is said to have originated in St. Louis at the World’s Fair way back in 1904.
Montana
Huckleberries might be a good option for the Treasure State’s fruit, but nothing has been made official. It’s delicious to eat and also plays a role in traditional medicine.
Nebraska
Because it’s also known as the Cornhusker State, corn would be a logical choice as Nebraska’s state vegetable. While Nebraskans haven’t done so yet, they should—many believe it to be the world’s most important crop!
Nevada
The Silver State doesn’t have an official state food, but shrimp cocktail, which originated in Las Vegas in 1959, should be a contender. Where else would you find seafood and sauce served in a glass?
New Hampshire
The official fruit of The Granite State is the pumpkin, an item many don’t even realize is a fruit.
New Jersey
The Garden State is the blueberry capital of our country, so it should come as no surprise that New Jersey has claimed it as the official state fruit. Sandy, acidic soil along the coast is ideal for growing the beautiful berries.
New Mexico
While The Land of Enchantment does have an official state cookie (the bizcochito), but is better known for its chili peppers, which have a unique sweet, spicy, crisp and smoky taste.
New York
New York City was dubbed The Big Apple for good reason. Apples abound in the Empire State—growers produce more than a billion pounds per year. Some of the top varieties are Crispin, Empire, Idared and Rome.
North Carolina
The Tar Heel State grows a large portion of America’s sweet potatoes and proudly claims the crop as the state vegetable. Festivals and conventions celebrating the tuber are held every year.
North Dakota
Chokecherries are common in the Peace Garden State, but not in many other states. So North Dakota alone has designated it as the official state fruit. It’s the perfect fruit for jelly, as the bitter, sour flavor balances out with the addition of sugar.
Ohio
Tomatoes go gangbusters in Ohio—so much so that they’re the Buckeye State’s official fruit. Among the varieties that thrive there: Early Girl, Sun Gold, Roma and Brandywine.
Oklahoma
The Sooner State didn’t stop at a single official food—it chose an entire meal! Fried okra, black-eyed peas and pecan pie are just a sampling of everything on the plate.
Oregon
Most of America’s pears come from Oregon, so it’s the chosen state fruit. The Beaver State grows everything from Bartlett to Bosc.
Pennsylvania
Is there any greater combination of foods than chocolate chip cookies and milk? The Keystone State has smartly designated both as official state foods.
Rhode Island
The Ocean State is the home of coffee milk, a delicious blend of coffee extract or coffee syrup and milk—like chocolate milk for adults, and the state beverage.
South Carolina
Love them or hate them, collard greens are the official vegetable of the Palmetto State. Their nutritional benefits are comparable to that of kale, as they’re a good source of vitamins K, A and C. Maybe they’ll be the next food craze.
South Dakota
The official dessert of Mount Rushmore State hails from Germany, though it has found a welcome home in America. Kuchen, the German word for cake, is a sweet treat that comes in variations to please almost any palate.
Tennessee
The Volunteer State’s fruit is the tomato, a crop it’s cultivated to much acclaim for many years. Big Boy, Better Boy and Celebrity varieties are especially popular choices.
Also, check this homemade moon pie recipe, your perfect sweet treats.
Texas
Nothing screams Lone Star State quite like chili con carne (except maybe Frito pie!). The former was proclaimed the official state food in 1977. The question is, are beans allowed or are they strictly forbidden?
Utah
Known for growing both sweet and sour cherries, the Beehive State has sensibly dubbed the cherry its official state fruit. One city has been celebrating the drupe with a festival and parade for more than 80 years.
Vermont
The Green Mountain State is serious about apple pie, its state dessert. There are even rules about how to eat it! The pie must be served with a glass of milk, a slice of cheddar cheese and/or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Virginia
The Old Dominion State is happy to be known for its cured country ham—the perfect addition to a breakfast plate full of eggs, biscuits and gravy, and grits. We’re talking salty ham here; it’s not for the faint of heart.
Washington
Walla Walla sweet onions are the official vegetable of the Evergreen State. They have a short season and require careful harvesting, but their sweet flavor makes the effort worthwhile.
West Virginia
The Mountain State has chosen a specific apple as its state fruit—the Golden Delicious. This sweet, delicate variety originated there and is ideal for applesauce.
Wisconsin
Do you think of cheese when Wisconsin is mentioned? It actually hasn’t been named an official state food, but kringle has! This filled, glazed Nordic pastry is very popular in the Badger State.
Originally Published: July 24, 2019
