15-07-2025
New Iowa State Fair food 2025: Our favorite fried finds
The Iowa State Fair on Tuesday released 11 of its best new foods for 2025, which will take visitors on a culinary journey — from funnel cake ham balls to a Butter Cow Tornado.
The big picture: I got to try the new foods as a member of the local judging panel at the fairgrounds on Tuesday.
In total, there are 68 new foods at the 2025 fair, but judges narrowed the finalists to three: bacon chicken ranch eggroll, Three Little Pigs and the scotcheroo shake.
The ultimate winner will be determined by fairgoers in August.
State of play: I judged each dish on its overall taste rating as well as its "fair factor" — does it have a fun twist and make you say, "Only at the Iowa State Fair"?
Here are my (very subjective) thoughts on some of the new foods, in alphabetical order:
Bacon chicken ranch eggroll — Winn & Sara's Kitchen
What it is: Bacon, chicken and white cheddar wrapped in a crispy eggroll and drizzled with homemade ranch ($15).
What I liked: This was so addictive — crispy, salty and zesty, thanks to the ranch on top.
I liked this even more than the bacon cheeseburger eggroll from this same stand, which was voted the best fair food last year.
What could improve: It's a little bit pricey, but definitely filling and shareable.
Overall rating: 5/5, I would wait in line for this.
Butter Cow Tornado — Dairy Zone
What it is: Butterscotch ice cream, gooey butter cake pieces, butterscotch topping and a white chocolate cow on top ($10).
What I liked: The cow chocolate is so cute!
What could improve: It was solid-tasting ice cream, but nothing that gave a wow factor.
Overall rating: 3/5
Fair factor: 3/5 — gotta love a butter cow take.
Chicken Pickle Ranch Rocket on a Stick — JR's SouthPork Ranch
What it is: Sweet and salty pickle-brined chicken on a skewer with dill and garlic pickles, basted with ranch butter. It can also be ordered with AE Dairy dill pickle dip ($9).
What I liked: The brine gives the chicken a nice sweet flavor, and it's a protein-packed dish for all my fellow gym bros out there.
What could improve: Drench that AE dip on that baby there.
Overall rating: 3/5, it was decent!
Fair factor: 3/5 — it's on a stick.
Hawaiian Hog — Iowa Pork Tent
What it is: Thinly shaved pork loin on a bun, served with coleslaw, brown sugar pineapple and sweet chili ($10).
What I liked: The coleslaw is cool and refreshing.
What could improve: The coleslaw was also messy. The pork was ok.
Fair factor: 3/5 — it's more creative than a barbecue pork sandwich.
HoQ lamb wrap — HoQ
What it is: Locally-sourced lamb, tossed in tomato cream sauce and served with Basmati rice, turmeric crème fraîche and kale on naan bread ($18).
What I liked: If I wanted to eat a "real" food at the fair, this would be it. It tastes good and there are vegetables.
What could improve: Again, it's a little bit expensive, but I appreciate that everything HoQ makes is sourced from Iowa farmers — which is what we're celebrating at the fair.
Overall rating: 5/5 — I would order this regularly.
Fair factor: 2/5 — isn't really an "OMG can you believe this" dish.
Sweet Granny's Apple Delight Sundae — Applishus
What it is: Granny Smith apple-flavored soft-serve with apple pie filling, caramel and whipped cream in a waffle cone, served with an apple cookie ($10).
What I liked: The apple soft-serve ice cream was so refreshing, creamy and not over the top. Combined with the pie crust, it reminds me of an all-American apple pie.
It didn't win best sweet fair food, but honestly, justice for Granny.
What could improve: The pie accoutrements give it the fair factor, but honestly, I would like to just eat the soft serve.
Overall rating: 4/5
Fair factor: 4/5
Maple bacon bourbon grilled cheese — What's Your Cheez
What it is: A grilled cheese made with locally-sourced bread, maple bourbon cheddar, candied bacon and a bourbon raspberry maple sauce ($12).
What I liked: The candied bacon was yummy.
What could improve: It was a touch too sweet for me.
Overall rating: 3/5
Fair factor: 4/5 — kudos for creativity.
Nashville hot chicken mac n' cheese pizza — Wiseguys Woodfired Pizza
What it is: Mac and cheese pizza with chicken and a drizzle of hot honey from the Holton Homestead ($8/slice).
What I liked: Gooey cheese and hot honey are always a great savory, spicy combo.
What could improve: Challenge our Midwest palates and give us more Nashville heat!
Overall rating: 3/5
Fair factor: 3/5 — I admire three foods in one bite.
Potato Half & Half Korean corn dog — GoldenKDog
What it is: A Korean corn dog, breaded with doughnut batter and filled with half mozzarella and half of a beef hot dog. It's topped with french fries and deep fried, served with a side of sauce and covered in sugar ($18).
What I liked: I've been saying for ages that a Korean corn dog would be so much better than any sad, Velveeta "cheese on a stick" item at the fair. After eating this, I can confirm that I am right.
What could improve: It was a lil' pricey, but you'll be so full after eating this, and mozza can be expensive.
Overall rating: 4.5/5 — I will go and get this again.
Fair factor: 5/5 — can't get more fair-like than something fried on a stick.
Scotcheroo shake — Over The Top
What it is: Peanut butter and scotcheroo ice cream, with scotcheroo fudge and scotcheroo chunks. Topped with whipped cream, chocolate and caramel sauce and a scotcheroo on top ($12).
What I liked: It's hard not to like any of the listed items, unless you don't get along with peanuts. This is a crowd-pleaser for sure.
What could improve: The taste is just like peanut butter ice cream, so nothing too out of the ordinary.
Overall rating: 4/5
Fair factor: 3/5
Three Little Pigs — Whatcha Smokin? BBQ
What it is: Three Iowa State Fair-inspired ham balls — "corn dog" with mustard and cornbread crumble, "soda fountain" with maraschino cherry, and "funnel cake" with a vanilla glaze and powdered sugar ($13).
What I liked: Wow, wow — this is one of those really funky and weird things that you can only get at the Iowa State Fair. Many kudos for turning a favorite holiday dish into something eyebrow-raising worthy.
