Crispy Mashed Potato Fries Recipe
If you love potatoes but crave something with a seriously satisfying crunch, Crispy Mashed Potato Fries are about to become your new obsession. These golden sticks are a brilliant twist on classic fries, combining the creamy comfort of mashed potatoes with an irresistibly crispy crust that makes every bite pure joy. Whether as a snack, side, or party favorite, this recipe nails the perfect balance between soft, fluffy interiors and crunchy exteriors, delivering a wildly satisfying experience that you will want to share with everyone you know.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, everyday ingredients is all you need to transform humble potatoes into a standout dish. Each element plays its part to create the perfect flavor, texture, and color, ensuring your Crispy Mashed Potato Fries come out deliciously irresistible every time.
- 2 pounds russet potatoes: The ideal potato for mashing due to its high starch content, delivering a fluffy base.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter: Adds richness and smooth creaminess to the mashed potato mixture.
- 1/2 cup milk: Lightens the texture and helps achieve that perfect silky mash.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Infuses a gentle, savory depth of flavor throughout.
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder: Elevates the taste with a mild, fragrant sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing all flavors to life.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Adds a subtle kick to balance the richness.
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour: Creates a sticky layer for the breadcrumbs to cling to.
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko): Provides the signature crunchy coating for the fries.
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil: Used for frying to achieve that gorgeous golden crust.
- Fresh herbs (parsley or chives) to taste: Adds a bright, fresh finish when garnished.
How to Make Crispy Mashed Potato Fries
Step 1: Prepare and Boil the Potatoes
Start by peeling your russet potatoes and cutting them into large, even chunks. Placing these in a pot with cold water and a pinch of salt ensures even cooking. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender enough to easily pierce with a fork—this usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes. Getting this step right is key to creating a creamy mash that forms the base of your fries.
Step 2: Mash and Season
Once the potatoes are perfectly cooked and drained, mash them thoroughly with butter and milk. This combination creates that luscious, soft texture that’ll shine inside the crispy exterior. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, making sure every bite is packed with flavor. Then, let the potato mixture cool completely—this is crucial because warm mashed potatoes can become too soft to handle in the next steps.
Step 3: Shape the Fries
With your hands or a spoon, scoop out portions roughly the size of a golf ball and shape them into fry-like sticks. Don’t worry about perfection—rustic, handmade shapes add charm! The goal is to form sticks sturdy enough for dredging and frying without falling apart.
Step 4: Bread the Fries
Set up your dredging station for an easy assembly line: flour on one plate and breadcrumbs on another. Coat each potato stick first in flour, which acts as a dry adhesive, then roll them thoroughly in breadcrumbs. This double layer ensures your Crispy Mashed Potato Fries develop that coveted crunch when fried.
Step 5: Fry Until Golden and Crispy
Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat, making sure it’s hot enough to sizzle when you add the fries but not smoking. Fry the breaded potato sticks in batches, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until they turn a beautiful golden brown and boast a satisfyingly crispy coating. Don’t overcrowd the pan to maintain the right temperature and crispiness. Once fried, transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet and keep them warm in a 425°F (220°C) oven while you cook the rest.
How to Serve Crispy Mashed Potato Fries
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like parsley or chives sprinkled on top add a lovely pop of color and a hint of brightness that perfectly complements the rich, crispy fries. You can also dust them lightly with Parmesan cheese for an extra savory touch that melts slightly on the warm fries.
Side Dishes
Pair these fries with classic dipping sauces like ketchup, garlic aioli, or even a spicy sriracha mayo for a delicious contrast. They also work beautifully alongside grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or a fresh garden salad to round out your meal with variety and texture.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your Crispy Mashed Potato Fries in a rustic cone or a mini bucket for an informal, finger-food vibe perfect for parties. You could also pile them onto a platter garnished with herbs and drizzle them with melted cheese or gravy for an indulgent loaded fries experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The crust will soften a bit, but they remain tasty and ready to be quickly revived.
Freezing
You can freeze your breaded but uncooked mashed potato fries by placing them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freezing until solid, then transferring to a freezer-safe bag. This method lets you fry fresh, crispy batches anytime you crave them without starting from scratch.
Reheating
To bring back their crispy glory, reheat your fries in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 10-15 minutes. Avoid microwaving, which tends to make them soggy. If you want that deep-fried crunch, a quick fry in a hot skillet or air fryer works beautifully too.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of potato for Crispy Mashed Potato Fries?
Russet potatoes are ideal because of their high starch content, which helps create a fluffy mash and crispy exterior. Waxy potatoes may not yield the same texture, resulting in fries that are less fluffy inside.
Is it necessary to let the mashed potatoes cool before shaping?
Yes, cooling the mashed potatoes is important because warm mash can be too soft and sticky to handle, making it difficult to form fries that hold their shape during frying.
Can I bake the fries instead of frying?
While frying gives the best crispiness, you can bake them at a high temperature on a greased baking sheet. Keep an eye on them and turn halfway through for even browning, but expect a slightly less crunchy texture.
What if I don’t have panko breadcrumbs?
Regular plain breadcrumbs work just fine and will still provide a nice crust. Panko tends to be lighter and airier, giving an extra crunch, but either option will make delicious fries.
How do I keep the fries crispy after cooking?
Place freshly fried Crispy Mashed Potato Fries on a wire rack over a baking sheet and keep them warm in the oven. This prevents moisture from making the crust soggy and keeps them crispy until serving.
Final Thoughts
Once you try these Crispy Mashed Potato Fries, you’ll wonder how you ever enjoyed mashed potatoes without that golden, crunchy coating. This recipe is not only simple and fun to make but it also brings a cozy, comforting food into an exciting new light. So grab your potatoes, warm up that oil, and prepare to fall in love with fries that truly deliver creamy, crispy magic in every bite.
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Crispy Mashed Potato Fries Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy Mashed Potato Fries are a delicious twist on traditional fries, made from creamy mashed potatoes shaped into fries, breaded, and fried to golden perfection. These fries offer a crunchy exterior with a soft, flavorful inside, making them a perfect snack or side dish garnished with fresh herbs for extra freshness.
Ingredients
Potato Mixture
- 2 pounds russet potatoes (About 4 large potatoes)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Coating
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (Plain or panko)
For Frying
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (plus more if needed)
For Garnish
- Fresh herbs to taste (such as parsley or chives)
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Peel the potatoes and cut them into large chunks. Place them in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Cook the Potatoes: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and return them to the pot.
- Mash and Season: Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or fork until smooth. Mix in the unsalted butter, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Allow the mixture to cool completely to ensure easier shaping.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to keep the fries warm after frying.
- Shape the Fries: Once the mashed potato mixture has cooled, scoop out portions about the size of a golf ball and shape each into a fry or stick shape. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Prepare Coating Station: Arrange the flour on one plate and the breadcrumbs on another. Coat each potato fry first in the flour, then fully cover it with breadcrumbs to achieve a crisp crust.
- Fry the Potato Fries: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, fry the coated mashed potato fries in batches for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy.
- Keep Fries Warm: Transfer the fried potato fries to the parchment-lined baking sheet and place them in the preheated oven to keep warm while frying the remaining batches.
- Serve: Serve the crispy mashed potato fries hot, garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or chives for added flavor and color.
Notes
- The potato mixture must be completely cooled before shaping to prevent it from falling apart.
- Using panko breadcrumbs will yield a crunchier texture compared to regular breadcrumbs.
- If the fries are breaking apart when shaping, chilling the mixture in the refrigerator for 30 minutes can help firm them up.
- Adjust seasoning to taste; adding grated cheese to the potato mixture is a tasty optional variation.
- Drain fried fries on paper towels to absorb excess oil before placing in the oven.
- Leftover fries can be reheated in the oven to retain crispiness rather than microwaving.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling, Mashing, Frying, Baking (keeping warm)
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1 cup fries)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: crispy mashed potato fries, mashed potato fries, fried mashed potatoes, crispy potato sticks, homemade fries, side dish, comfort food
