Iowa State Fair 2026: 11 Best New Foods Ranked for Your Buck

Des Moines, IA – The Iowa State Fair is back, and with it come more than 80 new food offerings vying for your taste buds and your wallet. A panel of judges has narrowed the field to three finalists for the fair’s Best New Food competition, but one local food critic has already sampled the entire lineup. The winner will be chosen by fairgoers in August, but here is an early look at the 11 best new foods, ranked from top to bottom, with a focus on what is worth your hard-earned money.

How the Best New Foods Are Chosen

Judges on Tuesday selected three finalists from the more than 80 new items: the All-American Scrambled Egg Roll, Porky Parm Gnocchi, and Ultimate Minneapple Pie. Each dish was