Fitness / May 28, 2024

Mashed Potato Fries

Two things you never thought you’d combine but should!

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When it comes to cooking, creativity knows almost no bounds. Mashed potato fries are one of the best examples of that. Of course, making homemade fries requires potatoes. But did you ever think of mashing those potatoes first and then turning them into fries? It’s possible that the thought never occurred to you. But it’s possible, and if you’re a big fan of either fries or mashed potatoes – or you just like trying new things – making mashed potato fries should be on your to-do list.

The end result of this recipe is exactly what it sounds like; these are fries that are made from mashed potatoes. You get the crisp outside of a normal fry mixed with the soft and creamy texture of mashed potatoes. It’s truly combining the best of both worlds to create something unique. The extra effort of making both mashed potatoes and fries at the same time is surely worthwhile because these make an excellent snack, appetizer, or side dish.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with making traditional homemade fries. If you want to put a different spin on them, it’s easy enough to make steak fries, garlic parmesan fries, or even keto fries. There are plenty of varieties for fry lovers to try. At the same time, if you want to stick to making the best mashed potatoes, you can do that too. You can even make healthy mashed potatoes if you want to stick to a diet.

Are mashed Potato Fries Healthy?

Since this recipe calls for mashed potato fries to be fried rather than baked, these aren’t the healthiest fries you can have. Frying food always tends to add fat and calories. If you’re trying to limit your fat or sodium, this may not be the best thing to eat. It’s also the kind of dish that’s best enjoyed in moderation rather than something to make multiple times a week. On the bright side, this is a vegetarian-friendly dish. Also, the russet potatoes contain plenty of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C.

Stay Plain

While the first part of this recipe is no different from making mashed potatoes, you have to do things a little differently. To get the best results from the fries, the mashed potatoes should be cooked without any extra milk or butter. This mixture needs to remain dry so that when you cool them in the fridge they stay hard and firm for when you cut them into fries.

It’s when you’re coating the potatoes with a mixture of flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs that you can add some extra seasoning. This is where you can have fun with taco seasoning, basil, cayenne, or even a little Parmesan cheese. Just about any spice or seasoning you want your fries to have is fair game. Just keep in mind that some of these extra items could significantly increase the calories in this dish.

INGREDIENTS

4 large Russet potatoes (approximately 2 lbs)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Peel and cube potatoes, keeping them in water to avoid browning.

Boil

Cook potatoes in salted water until tender, then drain and cool.

Mash

Smoothly mash potatoes, adding salt and pepper for flavor.

Chill

Spread mashed potatoes on a pan and refrigerate to firm up.

Cut

Form the chilled mash into fries, taking care not to break them.

Coat

Prepare flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs for coating the fries.

Fry

Deep fry the coated fries until they’re crispy and golden.

Serve

Salt the hot fries and enjoy with a dip.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

Since the mashed potatoes need time in the fridge to cool, it’s best to prepare this part the day before you plan to eat. Leftover fries can also be returned to the fridge and reheated within a few days.

Can I freeze the mashed potatoes?

Yes, if you want the potatoes to get firm a little quicker and you can’t leave them in the fridge overnight, putting them in the freezer is another option.

How thick should I cut these fries?

Compared to other types of homemade fries, it’s best to cut these fries a little thicker to ensure they stay solid when cooking.

Serving Suggestions

As a side dish, we highly recommend mashed potato fries being consumed with fish because they make a good side dish for fish and chips. For a simple meal, try crispy air fried fish to go along with your mashed potato fries. Some other great fish dishes include air fryer salmon and cajun grilled cod. Of course, if you want to create the perfect dipping sauce to go along with your mashed potato fries, we might recommend a chipotle sauce recipe or some low carb sugar free BBQ sauce.

Mashed Potato Fries

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Servings servings

Calories 310kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

4 large Russet potatoes approximately 2 lbs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs beaten
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Peel the potatoes and cut into large cubes. Keep them submerged in cold water to prevent browning.
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the potatoes until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and rinse with cool water.
Mash the potatoes until smooth, seasoning with salt and pepper. The mixture should be stiff and hold together.
Spread the mashed potatoes on a foil-lined jelly roll pan to a thickness of about 3/4 inch. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Cut the chilled potato layer into fries. Carefully separate them, ensuring they do not break.
Prepare three bowls with flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs, respectively. Season each lightly with salt.
Heat oil in a deep fryer as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Prepare a wire rack with paper towels underneath.
Coat the fries in flour, dip in eggs, and then cover with breadcrumbs. Fry in batches until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack.
Season with additional salt while hot and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. DEVOUR!