6 Food Dishes That Are Absolute Symbols of Arkansas

The foods eaten in the South are staples of American cuisine. From BBQ to biscuits and gravy, southern states have a lot to contribute in the way of delicious foods. In this article, we’ll be diving into the best-known dishes of Arkansas — one of the South’s leaders of fantastic foods. Arkansas is home to some iconic meals. Some are well-known and eaten all around the globe, while others are special to Arkansas.

While this isn’t a comprehensive list, let’s take a look at some of the dishes Arkansas is best known for. Keep in mind that, though Arkansas residents love to eat these foods, they weren’t all born in the state. All American cuisine is a result of the “mixing pot” that makes America unique. Thus, these foods come from all over the country and all over the world. In fact, you’ll find a dish on this list that comes to Arkansas all the way from the Netherlands!

1. Biscuits & Chocolate Gravy

While much of the South boasts about delicious biscuits and smooth, creamy gravy, Arkansas is home to an interesting twist on the classic. Biscuits in Arkansas are often served with chocolate gravy! Chocolate gravy is really just a chocolate sauce made using flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and a few other kitchen staples. Don’t worry: there’s no bacon grease in this gravy, and it’s still delicious! It’s heftier than chocolate sauces you’ll find on the store, so you’ll absolutely want to make this Arkansas classic from scratch.

2. Fried Pickles

After the delicious sweet breakfast treat of biscuits and chocolate gravy, you’ll be ready for a quick munchie before lunch. Arkansas is the home of the tangy and delicious classic appetizer: fried pickles! Fried pickles are pretty easily explained. You slice up pickles into small pieces, dip them in batter, and fry them until golden brown. Once you’re done, you’ve got a yummy, acidic snack to eat during a football game or before dinner.

3. Possum Pie

Lots of sweet treats are enjoyed in the South. The region is home to some great American staples. Arkansas, however, has its own special pie: possum pie! Possum pie is a layered pie that features a cream cheese layer, a chocolate layer, a vanilla layer, and then a whipped topping. The crust is usually made out of nuts, and there are a few pecans on top of the pie, too. It’s a truly delicious bite that often isn’t enjoyed outside of the Arkansas state boundaries (which is a shame!).

4. Hush Puppies

Another classic Arkansas food is hush puppies. Hush puppies are a great bite to be served before or with a meal, often accompanying delicious Arkansas barbecue. These bites are essentially fritters made with a cornmeal batter. They’re crunchy on the outside with a soft center, making for a wonderful textural experience. Hush puppies are super common in quite a few different southern states, though they were born in North and South Carolina.

5. Coleslaw

Perhaps the most iconic food eaten in Arkansas is coleslaw. It’s a delicious, acidic bite that pairs well with fried foods and barbecue, making it a wonderful accompaniment to Arkansas cuisine. Coleslaw wasn’t born in Arkansas, though. In fact, the food comes all the way overseas from the Netherlands! However, coleslaw has snuck its way into the hearts of American southerners and can be found in almost any state.

6. Muscadine

Arkansas is home to a long list of fruits and veggies. Strawberries and watermelon, for example, grow wonderfully in the state. However, muscadine is one of the more unique fruits that grows in Arkansas. This food is an Arkansas jam and jelly classic. Muscadine is a varietal of grape that can be used to make wine, and local wineries do make it, but it’s often used to make jam.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © pcsk from pcsk studio thailand, bhofack2 from Getty Images/ via Canva.com