Jul 09 2026
RestaurantsThe Iowa Taproom1/2 Off Select Appetizers Recipe

1/2 Off Select Appetizers Recipe

Inspired by The Iowa Taproom
Time2h
Serves8

Taproom Poppers, Tenderlings, Cheese Steak Egg Rolls, Fried Pickles, Iowa Ham Balls, Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Popcorn Chicken, Cheese Curds

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Ingredients

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Taproom Poppers

Cheese Steak Egg Rolls

Iowa Ham Balls

Method

Taproom Poppers

  1. 1

    Prepare the Peppers

    Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove the seeds.

  2. 2

    Make the Filling

    In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and bacon bits until well combined.

  3. 3

    Stuff the Peppers

    Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture and place them on a baking sheet.

  4. 4

    Coat with Bread Crumbs

    Sprinkle bread crumbs over the stuffed jalapeños.

  5. 5

    Bake

    Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.

Tenderlings

  1. 6

    Prepare Chicken

    Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and marinate them in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes.

  2. 7

    Make the Coating

    In a bowl, mix flour, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

  3. 8

    Coat the Chicken

    Remove chicken pieces from buttermilk and dredge them in the flour mixture.

  4. 9

    Fry the Chicken

    Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350°F (175°C) and fry the chicken pieces until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.

Cheese Steak Egg Rolls

  1. 10

    Cook the Steak

    In a skillet, sauté diced ribeye steak, chopped bell pepper, and onion until the steak is cooked through.

  2. 11

    Add Soy Sauce

    Stir in soy sauce and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

  3. 12

    Fill Egg Rolls

    Place a few tablespoons of the steak mixture in the center of each egg roll wrapper and add shredded provolone cheese.

  4. 13

    Roll and Seal

    Fold the sides of the egg roll wrapper over the filling, then roll tightly and seal the edges with water.

  5. 14

    Fry the Egg Rolls

    Heat oil in a deep fryer and fry the egg rolls until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes.

Fried Pickles

  1. 15

    Prepare the Breading

    In a bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, and cayenne pepper.

  2. 16

    Coat the Pickles

    Dredge pickle slices in the cornmeal mixture until well coated.

  3. 17

    Heat Oil

    Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).

  4. 18

    Fry the Pickles

    Fry the coated pickles until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes.

Iowa Ham Balls

  1. 19

    Mix Ingredients

    In a large bowl, combine ground ham, ground beef, bread crumbs, and egg. Mix until well combined.

  2. 20

    Form Balls

    Shape the mixture into small balls, about the size of a golf ball.

  3. 21

    Prepare Sauce

    In a separate bowl, mix together barbecue sauce and brown sugar.

  4. 22

    Bake

    Place ham balls in a baking dish, pour the sauce over them, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes.

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

  1. 23

    Thaw Spinach

    Thaw the frozen spinach and drain excess water.

  2. 24

    Combine Ingredients

    In a bowl, mix together spinach, artichoke hearts (chopped), cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella cheese, and garlic powder.

  3. 25

    Bake the Dip

    Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly.

Popcorn Chicken

  1. 26

    Prepare Chicken

    Cut chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and marinate in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes.

  2. 27

    Make the Coating

    In a bowl, mix flour, salt, and black pepper.

  3. 28

    Coat the Chicken

    Remove chicken from buttermilk and dredge in the flour mixture, then coat with panko bread crumbs.

  4. 29

    Fry the Chicken

    Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350°F (175°C) and fry the chicken until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes.

Cheese Curds

  1. 30

    Prepare Cheese

    Soak cheese curds in buttermilk for about 15 minutes.

  2. 31

    Prepare Breading

    In a bowl, combine flour and cornmeal.

  3. 32

    Coat Cheese Curds

    Remove curds from buttermilk and dredge in the flour mixture.

  4. 33

    Heat Oil

    Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).

  5. 34

    Fry the Curds

    Fry cheese curds until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes.

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