15 Classic Indiana Snacks Only True Locals Still Brag About
The scent of caramel, popcorn, and warm pie drifts through small-town streets as kitchens hum with tradition. Each bite carries the memory of porch swings, fairs, and family gatherings that stretch back for decades.
Across Indiana, food isn’t just sustenance – it’s a thread that ties generations together. From sweet confections to savory roadside snacks, these beloved classics define what it means to taste home.
1. Sugar Cream Pie
Hoosiers call this their unofficial state pie, and for good reason. The filling combines sugar, cream, and butter into something wonderfully simple yet satisfying.
No eggs or fancy ingredients needed – just pantry staples that pioneer families could always find. The top gets slightly caramelized during baking, creating a delicate crunch over silky custard underneath.
2. Persimmon Pudding
Wild persimmons grow throughout southern Indiana, and locals have turned them into this dense, spiced dessert for over a century. The pudding tastes like a cross between pumpkin pie and gingerbread.
Families often serve it warm with whipped cream during fall and winter holidays. Finding ripe persimmons becomes a treasure hunt each autumn along country roads.
3. Red Hots Candied Apples
County fairs across Indiana wouldn’t be complete without these fiery red treats. Whole apples get dipped in melted Red Hots candy, creating a sweet-spicy shell that crackles when bitten.
The cinnamon flavor is bold and unmistakable, coating your mouth with warmth. Kids and adults alike line up at fair booths to grab one on a stick.
4. Pork Brain Sandwiches
Not for the faint of heart, this old-school sandwich still appears on menus at traditional Indiana taverns. Pork brains get breaded and fried until golden, then tucked into a soft bun.
The texture is creamy and rich, almost like scrambled eggs. Longtime locals remember when every neighborhood bar served them as a regular lunch special.
5. Horehound Candy
This bitter herb candy has been soothing throats and satisfying sweet tooths since pioneer days. The flavor is medicinal and earthy, definitely an acquired taste that separates true locals from visitors.
Old-fashioned candy shops still stock these amber drops in glass jars. Grandparents often keep a few pieces in their pockets for nostalgia’s sake.
6. Van Camp’s Pork And Beans
This brand started right in Indianapolis back in 1861, making it a true Hoosier original. Generations grew up eating these sweet, tomato-sauced beans straight from the can or heated on the stove.
They became a camping staple and quick dinner solution for busy families. The company’s history is woven into Indiana’s food manufacturing legacy.
7. Roselyn Bakery Coffee Cake
Indianapolis locals have been starting their mornings with this legendary coffee cake since the bakery opened its doors decades ago. The streusel topping is thick and buttery, covering tender cake beneath.
People drive across town just to pick up a box for weekend brunch. The recipe remains a closely guarded secret that keeps customers coming back.
8. Sechler’s Pickles
Made in tiny St. Joe, Indiana since 1921, these pickles have earned national recognition while staying true to their small-town roots. The sweet pickles are especially beloved, with a crisp snap and balanced flavor.
Local grocery stores dedicate entire shelves to the various varieties. Family recipes often call for Sechler’s by name, no substitutions allowed.
9. Popcorn Balls With Nonpareils
Holiday gatherings in Indiana often feature these sticky-sweet clusters decorated with tiny candy beads. Popcorn gets coated in sugar syrup, then rolled into balls while warm and dotted with rainbow nonpareils.
Church bazaars and school fundraisers sell them by the dozen. The combination of crunchy popcorn and smooth candy creates an addictive texture contrast.
10. Schimpff’s Red Hots
This Jeffersonville candy shop has been making fiery cinnamon candies since 1891, using the same copper kettles and recipes. Watching them pour the hot candy mixture onto marble slabs is like stepping back in time.
The Red Hots pack serious cinnamon punch that makes eyes water. Locals stock up whenever they visit the charming historic storefront.
11. Wick’s Sugar Cream Pie
When Hoosiers can’t make sugar cream pie from scratch, Wick’s is the trusted backup plan. This Winchester, Indiana company has been baking the state’s beloved dessert since 1944.
Their version captures that essential creamy filling and caramelized top that locals crave. You’ll find these pies in nearly every Indiana grocery store’s freezer section.
12. Frozen Custard
Richer and smoother than regular ice cream, frozen custard has been an Indiana summer tradition for generations. Small stands across the state serve it fresh-made daily with higher egg yolk content.
The texture is impossibly creamy, almost silky on the tongue. Long lines form on hot evenings as families wait for their favorite flavors.
13. Square Donuts
Several Indiana donut shops proudly serve their treats in square shapes instead of traditional rounds. The corners get extra crispy while the centers stay soft and fluffy.
This quirky shape has become a point of local pride and friendly debate. Whether glazed, frosted, or filled, the square format makes them instantly recognizable as hometown favorites.
14. Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
This sandwich has become Indiana’s most iconic savory snack, with the pork cutlet pounded thin and breaded to enormous proportions. It typically hangs over the bun by several inches on all sides.
Diners across the state compete for the title of biggest tenderloin. The crispy coating and juicy meat make it worth the messy eating experience.
15. Elephant Ears
These massive sheets of fried dough get stretched thin, fried golden, and showered with cinnamon sugar at every Indiana fair and festival. The name comes from their large, flat, oval shape.
They’re best eaten hot and fresh, tearing off pieces with your fingers. The combination of crispy edges and chewy center keeps fairgoers coming back year after year.
