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Benjamin

Quick Iowa Party Bites: Flavorful Appetizers Made Easy

These Iowa Party Bites are a must-have for your next gathering! Bite-sized, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make, they combine savory meat, gooey cheese, and flaky crescent roll dough for the ultimate appetizer or snack. Pair them with a tangy dipping sauce to impress your guests in no time.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 12 bites
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • For the Filling
  • 1 pound ground pork or beef 1 small onion finely chopped, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese.
  • For the Dough
  • 1 package refrigerated crescent roll dough 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted, 1 tablespoon sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional).
  • For the Dipping Sauce
  • ½ cup sour cream 2 tablespoons prepared mustard, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon lemon juice.

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Filling: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground pork or beef until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Add chopped onion, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the onion softens. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Roll and Fill: Roll out the crescent roll dough and separate it into individual triangles. Spoon a small amount of the meat filling onto the wide end of each triangle, then roll the dough around the filling, starting at the wide end and tucking the sides in as you go.
  4. Add Finishing Touches: Place the rolled bites seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds, if desired.
  5. Bake: Bake the bites for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
  6. Make the Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mustard, honey, and lemon juice. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  7. Serve: Let the bites cool slightly, then serve warm with the dipping sauce on the side.

Notes

  • Let the filling cool before assembling to prevent the dough from becoming soggy.
  • If you want a crispier texture, bake for an extra 1–2 minutes.
  • Customize the filling with ground turkey, chicken, or vegetarian meat alternatives.
  • These bites freeze well. Assemble them and freeze unbaked, then bake directly from frozen when needed, adding an extra 5–7 minutes to the cooking time.

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