Lobster Biscuits & Gravy, Deep Fried Banana S’mores and more: Iowa State Fair announces 67 new foods for 2025 fair

The 2025 Iowa State Fair is now less than a month away and fairgoers can officially begin to plan their culinary tour of the fairgrounds.

The Iowa State Fair on Tuesday announced 67 new foods and drinks that will debut at the fair next month.

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From the interesting, like bacon popcorn and chocolate-dipped mashed potatoes, to new takes on the classics, like cafe colada and Cap’n Crunch Berry funnel cakes, there’s no shortage of creativity in this list.

Other notable bites include an array of Flamin’ Hot Cheeto-covered foods like pizza, fries and corn dogs.

A surprisingly popular theme this year is lobster, with four items, including a Saigon Lobster Bomb from Saigonais and Lobster Biscuits & Gravy from JR’s SouthPork Ranch.

JR’s is also debuting the High Roller Roll, a lobster roll topped with caviar and edible gold leaf. Make it a High Roller Roll Combo with a flute of Dom Perignon champagne.

Craving something soaked in saturated fat? Try the Deep Fried Banana S’mores or the Deep Fried PBJ with Nutella.

Then there’s the downright weird (but delicious, all the same) like Whatcha Smokin? BBQ’s Three Little Pigs, a trio of oak-smoked ham balls: honey mustard with cornbread crumbles, cherry soda with maraschino cherries and a vanilla glaze dusted with powdered sugar.

The fair will unveil the new lineup during a Facebook livestream at 1 p.m. on July 15, when the top three new foods will be chosen for fairgoers to vote on.

Last year’s winner was the Bacon Cheeseburger Egg Roll from Winn & Sara’s Kitchen.

This year’s fair runs from Aug. 7-17.

2025’s list of new Iowa State Fair foods

• Bacon Chicken Ranch Eggroll: A crispy, golden eggroll packed with tender chicken, bacon, white cheddar and drizzled with their famous ranch. (Winn & Sara’s Kitchen)
• Bacon Popcorn: Smoky bacon bits with crunchy, buttery popcorn. (Zag’s Popcorn)
• Beignets – 2 Ct.: Fluffy, deep-fried pastries generously dusted with powdered sugar. (Beans & Beignets, LLC)
• Big Acai Sorbet Flight: A sorbet flight featuring different sorbet flavors topped with a variety of different toppings, including granola, banana, strawberry, pineapple, blueberry, peanut butter, cacao drizzle and vanilla chia pudding. (Big Acai Bowl)
• Brisket Tenderloin: Breaded beef tenderloin made from fresh beef; deep fried and topped with a special sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles. Served on a golden sesame seed bun. (The Rib Shack)
• Butter Beer Cone: Creamy butterscotch-flavored soft serve swirled into a waffle cone. (Coney Corner)
• Cafe Colada Funnel Cake: Traditional funnel cake topped with powdered sugar, a rich colada icing (made with Cuban coffee!) and a streusel sprinkle. (McGrath’s Funnel Cakes)
• Cap’n Crunch Berry Funnel Cakes: Golden funnel cakes dusted with powdered sugar and topped with crunchy, colorful Cap’n Crunch Berry cereal. (Jada’s Funnel Cake)
• Caramel Apple Delight: Caramel apple candy melted inside a sweet Belgian waffle, topped with cinnamon sugar and caramel sauce. Served on a stick. (Waffle Chix)
• Chicken & Waffle Breakfast Sandwich: Crispy fried chicken and a fried egg between waffles, drizzled with maple syrup. (JR’s SouthPork Ranch)
• Chicken Pickle Ranch Rocket On A Stick: Thick-cut sweet, dill, and garlic pickles stacked with smoky grilled chicken, drizzled in a zesty ranch butter glaze and skewered. (JR’s SouthPork Ranch)
• Chicken Spiedini On A Stick: Tender, marinated chicken breast rolled in Italian breadcrumbs and smoked. Served with a flavorful Amogio sauce, on a stick. (The Bud Tent)
• Choc O Tater: Chocolate-dipped treat with a surprise center: a silky blend of mashed potatoes, shredded coconut and powdered sugar. All handmade, chilled and dunked in smooth dark chocolate, and topped with a raspberry and lemon drizzle. (Iowa Specialty Crop Growers Association)
• Chocolate Chip Storm Tornado: Creamy vanilla ice cream blended with rich chocolate chips. (Dairy Zone)
• Classic Korean Corn Dog: Skewered sausage and cheese stick coated in a sweet and savory batter, topped with ketchup and mustard. (GoldenKDog)
• Cookies N Cream Ice Cream Bar: Creamy vanilla ice cream loaded with crunchy chocolate cookie pieces. (Dough Crazy)
• Craft Link On A Stick: Sausage links served on a stick. (Whatcha Smokin? BBQ)
• Deep Fried Banana S’mores: Warm bananas and melted chocolate wrapped in a crispy, golden batter. (Taylor Concessions)
• Deep Fried PBJ with Nutella: Peanut butter and chocolate hazelnut fried in a homemade batter. Topped with powdered sugar and Nutella drizzle. (The Bird’s Nest)
• Double Bacon Cheese Burger Balls: Ground beef, pickle, ketchup and mustard meatballs stuffed with cheddar cheese, wrapped in bacon, rotisserie smoked and served with a secret burger sauce. (Bacon Box)
• Fairgrounds Fiesta Wonton: Egg salad, fresh jalapenos, crispy bacon, creamy cheddar and zesty seasoning folded into a giant wonton shell. Fried ‘til golden brown, drizzled with hot honey and finished with a pico de gallo. (Cluckin’ Coop)
• Flamin’ Hot Pickle Pizza: A twist to the Garlic Ranch Pickle Pizza, topped with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos dust. (Leimon’s Pizzeria)
• Flaming Hot Cheetos Fries: Fries coated with spicy, tangy Flamin’ Hot Cheetos seasoning. (Taylor Concessions)
• Footlong Hot Cheetos Corn Dog: A footlong corn dog dipped in nacho cheese and rolled in Hot Cheeto crumbles. (Smiths)
• Freeze Dried Fruit Mix: Light, crispy blend of assorted freeze-dried fruits. (Jack Frost Freeze Dried Treats)
• Fried Banana Cream Pie: A banana dipped in butter and fried, topped with powdered sugar and chocolate. (Taylor Concessions)
• Full Mozzarella Korean Corn Dog: Skewered cheese stick coated in a sweet and savory batter, topped with ketchup and mustard. (GoldenKDog)
• Golden Fried Corn On The Cob Strips (Battered, Seasoned): Battered, crispy, golden corn on the cob strips offering a light, hickory-smoked flavor. (The Veggie-Table)
• Green Apple Cream Slush: Frosty green apple slush topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. (Wonder Bars)
• Hawaiian Hog: Layers of shaved pork loin, creamy coleslaw and a brown sugar pineapple ring on a bun, served with sweet chili sauce. (Iowa Pork Producers – Iowa Pork Tent)
• High Roller Roll: Lobster Roll topped with caviar and edible gold leaf. (JR’s SouthPork Ranch)
• High Roller Roll Combo: Two Lobster Rolls topped with caviar, adorned with edible gold leaf and served with Dom Perignon champagne. (JR’s SouthPork Ranch)
• Holy Doughly: Two jumbo-sized chocolate and cream-filled cookies, stuffed with a scoop of cookies and cream cookie dough. (Dough Crazy)
• HoQ Wrap (Chicken, Lamb Or Tofu): The HoQ Lamb Wrap features tender Iowa lamb, chicken or tofu in a tomato cream sauce with Basmati rice, turmeric crème fraîche and local kale, all wrapped in HoQ’s homemade naan. (HoQ)
• Hot Cheetos Mozzarella Corn Dogs (Arnold’s Concessions Brat Haus)
• Jalapeno Popper Egg Salad: Blend of eggs, smoky bacon, cheddar cheese and spicy jalapeños (Cluckin’ Coop)
• JR’s Bacon Wrangler BLT: A BLT stacked with a half-pound of bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and mayo. (JR’s SouthPork Ranch)
• Lemon Cheesecake Ice Cream Single Scoop (Over The Top)
• Loaded Cowboy Fries: Thick-cut fries perfect for dipping in melted cheese and crispy bacon bits. (Pioneer Wagon)
• Lobster Biscuits & Gravy: Cheesy biscuit smothered in rich, buttery lobster gravy. (JR’s SouthPork Ranch)
• Maple Bacon Bourbon Grilled Cheese: Maple bread layered with maple bourbon cream cheese, gourmet maple bourbon cheddar and bourbon maple candied bacon, then grilled. Served with a maple bourbon raspberry dipping sauce. (What’s Your Cheez?)
• Maple Bacon Flavored Cheese Curds: Fresh white cheddar cheese curds marinated in maple bacon flavor, hand battered, deep fried, and served hot and fresh. (Duke’s Poutine)
• Nashville Hot Chicken Mac N’ Cheese Pizza Slice: Smoky, shredded chicken with a sweet and spicy rub, melted mozzarella and a crispy thin crust, with secret hot sauce and local hot honey drizzle. (Wiseguys Woodfired Pizza)
• Oatmeal Cream Pie: Soft, chewy oatmeal cookies sandwiching a sweet, creamy vanilla filling. (Whatcha Smokin? BBQ)
• Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake: Rich cheesecake infused with smooth peanut butter and swirled with chocolate peanut butter cups. (Dough Crazy)
• Philly Cheese Steak Twisters: Potato twisters fried, then loaded with thin sliced steak, grilled onions and Monterey Jack cheese. (Grater Taters)
• Potato Half & Half Korean Corn Dog: Crispy crinkle fries fried into golden batter, wrapped around half mozzarella and half all-beef hot dog with four dipping sauces (including sweet chili and spicy mayo). (GoldenKDog)
• Praline Crunch Caramel Sundae: A sundae layered with chocolate granola crunch, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, caramel topping, honey graham granola crunch, vanilla ice cream topped with caramel and pralines, granola crunch and a vanilla chocolate wafer. (Bauder’s Ice Cream)
• Saigon Lobster Bomb: A sliced French baguette coated in a seasoned batter with lobster, then fried. Served with house hoisin sauce and sriracha. (Saigonais)
• Scotcheroo Ice Cream Shake: A rich, creamy shake made with handmade peanut butter–butterscotch scotcheroo ice cream, swirled with fudge, packed with chewy chunks, and topped with whipped cream, caramel, chocolate and a full slice of scotcheroo. (Over The Top)
• Sloppy Dog: A juicy all-beef hotdog nestled in a New England-style bun, then piled high with rich, savory, homemade sloppy joe and crowned with a heap of gooey shredded cheese. (The Snack Box)
• Smoked Meatloaf Platter: A blend of brisket, short rib and ground chuck, grilled with a Boursin cheddar blend, then slow smoked and topped with a housemade sweet and savory bourbon glaze. Garnished with thin-cut onion rings and served with cheesy potatoes and country slaw. (Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery)
• S’mores Ice Cream Sandwich: Marshmallow and chocolate ice cream nestled between two graham cracker cookies. (Dough Crazy)
• Soy On A Stick (Fried): Protein-packed soy skewered on a stick. (The Veggie-Table)
• State Fair Sweet Crunch: Fresh butter popcorn loaded with M&Ms, sprinkled and pretzels, covered with a chocolate drizzle. (Yum Yum Shoppe)
• Steak Tips Gnocchi: Tender, seasoned steak tips served over gnocchi. (DG Grill)
• Strawberry Cheesecake Flavored Pecans Small Cone(The Nut Farm)
• Strawberry Kettle Korn: Sweet and salty popcorn coated in a strawberry-infused glaze. (Old Tyme Kettle Korn)
• Surf N Turf: Grilled steak and seafood. (DG Grill)
• Sweet Granny’s Apple Delight Sundae: Granny Smith-flavored ice cream in a waffle cone bowl topped with apple filling, caramel and whipped cream. Apple cookie included. (Applishus)
• Sweet Stine Stack Attack: Barksdale’s State Fair Chocolate Chip cookies, cheese curds and bacon loaded between two slices of grilled sourdough bread. (Bubbly Bar)
• The Butcher’s Donut: Gluten-free donut made with bacon, ground beef, Graziano sausage and spices, rolled in crispy rice puffs, fried, and topped with BBQ glaze, queso and chives. Served on a bed of crunchy corn tortilla chips. (DG Grill)
• The Butter Cow Tornado: A swirling twist of gooey butter cake drenched in butterscotch, crowned with a white-chocolate Butter Cow candy. (Dairy Zone)
• Thelma’s Lemon Blueberry Ice Cream Sandwich: Chewy lemon cookies with a deep purple blueberry ice cream in the middle of the sandwich. (Thelma’s)
• Three Little Pigs: A trio of oak-smoked ham balls: honey mustard with cornbread crumbles, cherry soda with Maraschino cherries, and a vanilla glaze dusted with powdered sugar. (Whatcha Smokin? BBQ)
• Voodoo Chips: Chips coated in black-magic seasoning. (Po-Boys)
• Voodoo Fries: Battered salt and pepper fries topped with chili pepper queso, bacon, ranch, black magic seasoning and chives. (Po-Boys)

Where will KCCI be at the fair?

You can see KCCI 8 News live at 4:30 p.m. every weekday during the fair from the MidAmerican Energy Stage.

You can also stream KCCI 8’s coverage of the Iowa State Fair for free on the Very Local app. Click here to download Very Local to your phone.

Previous Iowa State Fair best new food contest winners

2024: Bacon Cheeseburger Egg Roll from Winn & Sara’s Kitchen

2023: Deep-fried bacon brisket mac and cheese grilled cheese from What’s Your Cheez

2022: The Finisher from The Rib Shack

2021: The Chicken Egg Salad with Indian Fry Bread from Cluck’n Coop

2020: Fair canceled due to COVID-19

2019: The Georgie’s Roast with the Most Wrap at G-Mig’s

2018: Apple Eggroll from Applishus

2017: Steer N Stein’s Pork-Almighty

2016: Iowa Turkey Federation Stand’s Not Your Mamma’s Taco

2015: The Rib Shack’s Ultimate Bacon Brisket Bomb

2014: Funnel Cake on a Stick, multiple vendors

2013: Shrimp Corn Dog from Zag’s Po Boys

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