Iowa State Fair debuts 80+ foods

The Iowa State Fair said on July 7 that more than 80 new foods will debut at the 2026 fair, adding another oversized menu to one of the state’s biggest annual events. Fair organizers said the lineup will be spread across nearly 200 food stands during the Aug. 13-23 run in Des Moines. The fair’s official new-food list includes novelty items such as Iowa Sweet Corn & Popcorn Sundae, Star-Spangled Swine, PB & J Corndog and Flamin' Hot Cheetos Breakfast Burrito. ### How many new foods are actually on the list? The Iowa State Fair said the 2026 lineup includes “over 80 new foods” from nearly 200 food stands. The fair posted the announcement on July 7 and published a full “What’s New” food page with item descriptions and prices. (iowastatefair.org) The fair’s website says the event annually attracts more than 1 million people and is the largest event in Iowa. Food is one of its main draws, with officials also promoting more than 50 foods on a stick elsewhere on the site. ### Which items stand out from the 2026 menu? The official list ranges from patriotic and bicentennial-themed items to mashups built around sugar, pork, cheese and snack foods. (iowastatefair.org) Named items on the fair’s list include 1776 Dubai Strawberries, 1776 Parmesan Ice Cream, Patriotic Nachos, The 1776 Liberty Bowl and Star-Spangled Strawberry Bliss. (iowastatefair.org) The Iowa Sweet Corn & Popcorn Sundae is among the Iowa-branded entries, while other items lean into fair-style hybrids such as Candied Pork Belly Mac & Cheese Pizza Slice, Ultimate Bacon-Brisket Mac & Cheese Donut, Mozza-Tini and Stuffed Tater Kegs. The list also includes several poke bowls, bison dishes and dessert-heavy additions such as Walkin' Oreo Sundae and Biscoff Cookie Butter Cheesecake Funnel Cake. (iowastatefair.org) ### Are prices posted yet? The Iowa State Fair’s food page includes prices for individual items. The site lists 1776 Dubai Strawberries at $19, 1776 Parmesan Ice Cream at $14, Affogato at $8 and the All-American Scrambled Egg Roll at $15. The same page identifies vendors for each item. The Strawberry Station is listed for 1776 Dubai Strawberries, Bubbly for 1776 Parmesan Ice Cream, Biscuit Bar for Affogato and Winn & Sara’s Kitchen for the All-American Scrambled Egg Roll. (iowastatefair.org) ### What is the fair doing before opening day? The Iowa State Fair said fairgoers can watch a Facebook Live stream on July 14 at 1 p.m. to see the 2026 Top 11 Best New Food finalists. (iowastatefair.org) The fair said that livestream will also announce the top three finalists, after which voting will open during the fair itself. The fair has used that contest format before. KCCI reported in 2025 that judges narrowed a larger list of new foods to finalists before a public vote selected the winner during the fair. ### When and where can people try the new foods? The 2026 Iowa State Fair is scheduled for Aug. 13 through Aug. 23 at the fairgrounds in Des Moines, according to the fair’s homepage. (iowastatefair.org) The site lists the fairgrounds address as 3000 East Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50317. The fair’s product and food finder, along with the “What’s New” page, is where organizers direct visitors to locate individual items and stands. (kcci.com) The next public food milestone is the July 14 finalist reveal, followed by the full 11-day fair in August. (iowastatefair.org 1) (iowastatefair.org 2)