Description
Get ready to wow your guests with these Savory Iowa Party Bites—a crisp, cheesy, and creamy appetizer that captures all the comfort of a Midwestern classic in a bite-sized form. This easy recipe blends buttery hash brown crusts with fluffy mashed potatoes and sharp cheddar cheese for a satisfying treat. Whether you’re looking for quick breakfast ideas, easy dinner snacks, or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, these bites deliver big flavor with minimal effort. They’re perfect for brunch, tailgates, holidays, or just because. One taste and you’ll see why this is one of my go-to easy food ideas for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups shredded hash browns (thawed and patted dry)
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups mashed potatoes (warm)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (plus more for topping)
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions or chives
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a mini muffin tin generously.
- In a bowl, combine hash browns, melted butter, salt, and pepper. Press mixture into each muffin cup to form a nest.
- Bake hash brown cups for 20–25 minutes until edges are golden and crisp.
- While crusts bake, mix mashed potatoes with sour cream, cheddar cheese, green onions, and additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Spoon mashed potato filling into each baked crust, mounding slightly.
- Top with a bit of extra shredded cheddar cheese.
- Return to oven and bake an additional 10–12 minutes, until cheese is melted and golden.
- Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.