10 of the weirdest food items to try at the CNE in Toronto

Those with strong stomachs and a taste for food adventure will want to head over to the CNE this year.

The Canadian National Exhibition pushes the boundaries with an over-the-top line-up of sugary confections, unusual combinations, and mouth-watering delights.

There are more than 30 new food items to discover in the midway and iconic Food Building.

This year’s line-up includes sweet and spicy combos, deep fried dishes and new twists on classic fair food.

The 146th annual Canadian National Exhibition runs from Aug. 15 to Sept. 1, 2025.

Here are 10 of the weirdest food combinations:

The Chicken Nugget Cookies

A Craig’s Cookie is stuffed with crispy chicken nuggets, served warm with a smoky barbecue sauce dip.

Craig’s is also serving the Cotton Candy Cookie, a colourful throwback to summer fun. Each cookie is wrapped in a fluffy cloud of pink or blue cotton candy. It’s cute, it’s sweet, it’s nostalgic – and totally Instagram-worthy.

Vendor: Craig’s Cookies, Food Truck Frenzy

Craig’s Cookies has created a chicken nugget stuffed cookie.

Churro Pizza

Churro meets pizza in this dish. A cinnamon-sugar churro crust is topped with pepperoni, melted mozzarella and classic tomato sauce.

Vendor: Panchos Bakery, Food Building

Fruity Pebble Corn Dog

Hot dog fans who love to combine sweet and savoury can find this fun take on a Korean-style corn dog (with Halal beef hot dog and mozzarella) topped with fruity pebble cereal and icing.

Vendor: Korean Dogs, Midway

A Korean-style corn dog is coated with fruity pebble cereal.

Bisco Fried Chicken Crunch Ice Cream Sandwich

Buttermilk fried chicken is rolled in Lotus Bisco cookie crumbs, topped with vanilla ice cream, maple chili sauce, Lotus Bisco cookie butter, carrots and daikon.

Vendor: Los Vietnamita, Food Truck Frenzy

Ice “Kreamchi” Dumplings

This spicy dish is tempered with ice cream. Juicy Korean pork dumplings are paired with ice cream, bulgogi bacon glaze and kimchi.

Vendor: K-Dee’s Twisted Gourmet & Co, Food Truck Frenzy

Ice “Kreamchi” Dumplings

The Bacone with Spicy Habanero Bacon Cotton Candy

Classic summer cotton candy has a spicy twist in this treat. The Bacone is a puff pastry cone filled with Canadian Passion Flakie cream filling and drizzled in maple Timbit glaze, then wrapped in a fiery red Spicy Habernaro Bacon cotton candy and crowned with a butter tart. Sounds good, eh?

Vendor: Greekery Bakeshop, Midway

Ice cream Sandwich Hashbrown

If you are starting your CNE visit early, head out for this morning treat. Two crispy hash brown patties are served with a slab of vanilla ice cream in the middle to crush breakfast and dessert at the same time.

Vendor: Ice Cream Sandwiches, Food Building

Ice cream Sandwich Hashbrown

UFO Burger

Two beef smash patties, cheese, caramelized onions, bacon and Bacon Nation’s secret burger sauce are sealed between a brioche bun stamped with an other-worldly creature.

Vendor: Bacon Nation, Food Building

UFO Burger

Deep Fried Frozen Watermelon

It’s not the CNE with out eating something deep-fried. Social media is obsessed with this culinary invention of deep-frying watermelon in a crispy batter, sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Vendor: Mr. Pickle, Midway

Maki Sushi Corn Dog

This crispy cornmeal-battered sushi roll served with spicy mayo and soy glaze is easy to carry as the entire concoction is on a stick.  At the same booth, foodies can find a two-foot hot dog.

Vendor: Sam’s Grill, Midway

Maki Sushi Corn Dog

For more information on the CNE, check out the website here.

Photos: CNE