Staff Writer Rachael Medina
Rachael Medina is the senior content writer and operations manager for California.com. She was born and raised just outside the Mojave Desert in Southern California and moved to the redwood forests o…
See full bioFunnel cakes, corn dogs, and Monte Cristo sandwiches—does anything conjure up as many memories as theme park foods do? From going to water parks with all of your best friends on a class field trip to visiting Disneyland for the very first time, each amusement park memory is inextricably tied to its smells and tastes, so eating these foods can easily transport you back to your favorite places.
Though you may not be able to visit your go-to amusement parks regularly, you can bring the fun times to you with these mouthwatering recipes from your favorite theme park restaurants, snack stands, and food carts.
With so many unique Disneyland restaurants—and so many things to eat and drink throughout the resort—choosing a favorite food can seem impossible. Between Disney’s turkey legs, churros, and Dole Whips, there are hundreds of foods to consider and dishes to make. If you’ve already cooked up our makeshift magical recipes, try your hand at the oddly satisfying Monte Cristo sandwich from Disneyland’s Blue Bayou; with a polarizing palate, you’ll likely either love it or hate it.
Serves 8
Ingredients
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 cups flour
2 eggs
1 ½ cups milk
16 slices of thick white bread
16 slices Swiss cheese
16 slices turkey
16 slices ham
½ cup vegetable oil (for frying)
Powdered sugar (to taste)
Raspberry sauce or jam
Directions
Pro tip: Finish the meal with some Disneyland churros, and you’ll swear you’re dining at one of the best theme park restaurants.
Funnel cake is one of those theme park foods that just screams fun, but Six Flags’ funnel cakes stand above the rest, leaving lasting memories of wandering around the parks. If you haven’t had the pleasure of trying this iconic dish yet, it’s a fried-batter dessert that looks like a tasty woven doily. It’s light, fluffy, and covered in powdered sugar—basically, it’s everything you’re looking for in a sweet treat. Trust us, if you’re going to make any recipe on this list, it ought to be this food from Six Flags Great America.
Serves 12
Ingredients
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
3 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour, sifted
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups milk
1 quart vegetable oil (for frying)
¼ cup confectioners’ sugar
Directions
Pro tip: Add crushed Oreo cookies, whipped cream, and soft-serve to recreate the sundae funnel cake from Six Flags, or go a bit simpler with strawberry and chocolate syrups—no matter how you top it, this theme park food is a winner.
When it comes to Knott’s Berry Farm, there are nearly too many delicious foods to count. With options ranging from hot dogs and churros to raspberry shortbread cookies and pretzels, there are endless ways to indulge. But when it comes to family meals, Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant is unlike any other, so load up your plate and get ready for seconds.
Serves 6
Ingredients
4 cups cold water
6 tablespoons kosher salt (or 3 tablespoons table salt)
3 pounds of chicken, separated into pieces
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 quart vegetable oil (for frying)
Directions
Pro tip: Pair the biscuits with boysenberry jam, and follow up your dinner with a chocolate bundt cake for an authentic Knott’s experience.
The best food at Legoland is a hotly debated topic, but one thing is clear: Legoland’s apple fries are good enough to get kids to eat fruit. Whether you’ve got an insatiable sweet tooth or you’re looking for a fun activity to fill your afternoon, you might be able to whip up a batch of these treats without going to the grocery store.
Serves 8
Ingredients
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Vegetable oil (for frying)
8 Granny Smith apples
1 cup cornstarch
1 can whipped cream
Directions
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1 comment
ZaintSee | Aug, 16
Thanks for sharing those recipes🙏. I've been craving for these foods since quarantine started. Reply