Iowa Party Bites

Iowa Party Bites are a delightful appetizer that combines cream cheese, sausage, and a few other ingredients into bite-sized goodness. Here’s a simple recipe to make them:

Iowa Party Bites Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound breakfast sausage (like Jimmy Dean)
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup green onions, finely chopped (or to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 package (about 16 oz) of mini phyllo pastry cups or cocktail rye bread

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the Sausage:
   • In a skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
3. Mix Ingredients:
   • In a large bowl, combine the cooked sausage, softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix until everything is well combined.
4. Prepare the Bites:
   • If using phyllo pastry cups, place them on a baking sheet. If using cocktail rye bread, arrange the slices on a baking sheet.
5. Fill the Cups/Bread:
   • Spoon the sausage mixture into each phyllo cup or spread a generous dollop onto the cocktail rye bread.
6. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden.
7. Serve:
   • Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm!

Enjoy!

These Iowa Party Bites are always a hit at gatherings and are easy to prepare ahead of time. They’re creamy, savory, and perfect for snacking!