17 Surprising Recipes with Potato Flakes (2024)

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17 Surprising Recipes with Potato Flakes (1)Emily Racette ParulskiUpdated: Mar. 17, 2024

    We all could use shortcuts in the kitchen from time to time (or ALL the time!). Let a box of mashed potato flakes help make soups, chicken, shepherd’s pie and more.

    Loaded Baked Potato Soup

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    The only thing that beats the comforting flavor of this thick and hearty loaded baked potato soup is possibly the idea that it simmers on its own all day in a slow cooker. —Barbara Bleigh, Colonial Heights, Virginia

    Spicy Shepherd's Pie

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    Taco seasoning adds zip to this hearty main dish. It's easy to top with instant mashed potatoes, which I stir up while browning the beef. —Mary Malchow, Neenah, Wisconsin

    Super Crispy Baked Chicken

    Combine mashed potato flakes with Parmesan cheese for an ultra-crunchy coating to oven-baked chicken that is oh-so-tender and perfectly moist.—June Brown, Veneta, Oregon

    Swiss Potato Puffs

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    Taste of Home

    Encourage guests to mingle by serving these cute little morsels. They’re transportable, mess-free and easy to eat in a few bites. —Myra Innes, Auburn, Kansas

    Loaded Cheddar-Corn Potato Patties

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    Make these small for the perfect bite-size appetizer. Pile them on a cake platter, and watch them all disappear. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

    Caramel Potato Rolls

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    Taste of Home

    There is a burst of cinnamon in every bite of these ooey gooey tender rolls. They are good to have on hand when someone drops in for a cup of coffee. Maybe that's why we have so many people dropping in for coffee.—Florence Jerome, Helena, Montana

    Breaded Sea Scallops

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    Taste of Home

    I never liked seafood until my husband urged me to try scallops, and now I love them. He says my breaded version is the best he's ever had. A tip I learned was to put them on a paper-towel-topped plate to soak up excess oil. —Martina Preston, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania

    Focaccia Barese

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    This focaccia has been in my mom's family for several generations. It is one of my most-requested recipes whenever I am invited to a party—I am not allowed to attend unless I bring it! —Dora Travaglio, Mount Prospect, Illinois

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    Taste of Home

    After attending my daughter's back to school night and receiving a complimentary package of instant potatoes, I had to make something with them. I created these pork cutlets and they were fantastic. —Carrie Farias, Oak Ridge, New Jersey

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    It’s a cinch to jazz up instant mashed potatoes with sour cream and cream cheese, then cook and serve them from a slow cooker. For a special touch, sprinkle this creamy mashed potatoes recipe with chopped fresh chives, canned french-fried onions or fresh grated Parmesan cheese. —Donna Bardocz, Howell, Michigan

    Whole Wheat Potato Rolls

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    My cousin gave me this recipe for classic potato rolls. If you have leftovers or want to make some ahead, go ahead and freeze them—they’ll be just as tasty. —Devon Vickers, Goddard, Kansas

    Cheesy Cauliflower Soup

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    When a chill is in the air, I like to make soups for the family. Cheese adds flavor and heartiness to this one, which is my own recipe. —Ruth Worden, Mossena, New York

    Mini Shepherd's Pies

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    Taste of Home

    I’m as confident serving these little pies to company as to family. If I have enough time, I’ll use homemade biscuits and mashed potatoes. —Ellen Osborne, Clarksville, Tennessee

    Makeover Potato Cheese Soup

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    Taste of Home

    This makeover recipe has about 40% fewer calories, two-thirds less fat, less than half the saturated fat, about half the cholesterol and a third less sodium of the original. Yet its comforting taste and creamy consistency will surely please the soup lovers in your family!—Bethany Thayer, Troutville, Virginia

    Originally Published: February 20, 2019

    17 Surprising Recipes with Potato Flakes (16)

    Emily Racette Parulski

    Emily has spent the last decade writing and editing food and lifestyle content. As a senior editor at Taste of Home, she leads the newsletter team sharing delicious recipes and helpful cooking tips to more than 2 million loyal email subscribers. Since joining TMB seven years ago as an associate editor, she has worked on special interest publications, launched TMB’s first cross-branded newsletter, supported the launch of the brand's affiliate strategy, orchestrated holiday countdowns, participated in taste tests and was selected for a task force to enhance the Taste of Home community. Emily was first mentioned by name in Taste of Home magazine in 1994, when her mother won a contest.When she’s not editing, Emily can be found in her kitchen baking something sweet, taking a wine class with her husband, or making lasagnas for neighbors through Lasagna Love.

    17 Surprising Recipes with Potato Flakes (2024)

    FAQs

    How many cups of potato flakes equals one potato? ›

    Potatoes come in all sizes, but a six ounce potato is about average for medium sized potatoes. If you have no other information you could just say that one portion of mash made from flakes is equal to one potato. In that case you need about 2/3 cups of flakes.

    Can I use milk instead of water for instant potatoes? ›

    Most instant potato varieties call for you to combine the potatoes with water, but if you want your potatoes to taste a bit more indulgent, use milk instead. Whole milk will yield delightfully rich potatoes, but 2 percent milk works well too.

    How do you spruce up instant mashed potatoes? ›

    Those same add-ins—chopped fresh herbs like chives or parsley, chopped cooked bacon, crumbled blue cheese, roasted garlic cloves and so on—will enhance the instant variety as well. Butter (not margarine) is a must, as is sour cream.

    Do dried potato flakes go bad? ›

    A: When stored properly the shelf life of dehydrated potato products is one to two years. The potato products you keep in your pantry will have an expiration date listed directly on the packaging.

    How to use potato flakes in baking? ›

    To add potato flour or flakes to an existing recipe that doesn't call for it: Substitute 1/4 cup (46g) potato flour or 1/2 cup (43g) potato flakes for 1/4 cup (30g) of the all-purpose or bread flour in a recipe using 3 to 4 cups (360g to 480g) of flour.

    What is the shelf life of potato flakes? ›

    In general, potato flakes have a long shelf-life and they won't spoil very easily. They can stay fresh for 25 years or more! However, you need to store them properly to truly increase their shelf-life.

    How healthy are potato flakes? ›

    One serving (100 grams) of mashed potatoes prepared using dehydrated potato flakes provides 113 calories, 15 grams of carbohydrate, 2.3 grams of fiber, 9.7 grams of vitamin C, and 233 milligrams of potassium.

    What are the black specks in mashed potatoes? ›

    A: Black spots in potatoes are mostly attributed to internal bruises or the result of sugar concentrations brought on by any of several pre or post-harvest conditions and are generally harmless. However, the black spots could also be an early concentration of decay.

    What can you substitute for butter in mashed potatoes? ›

    Add olive oil and mash to incorporate, then add milk, salt, and pepper and mash until smooth and creamy. Optionally add 2-4 additional tablespoons of milk to achieve desired consistency. Transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with smoked paprika, if desired.

    What can I add to instant potatoes to thicken them? ›

    Add a Thickening Agent

    This is the most common way to thicken mashed potatoes. You can use what you have on hand: Flour, cornstarch, or powdered milk are all solid options that are probably already in your pantry.

    Are instant mashed potatoes just dehydrated potatoes? ›

    Instant mashed potatoes are potatoes that have been through an industrial process of cooking, mashing and dehydrating to yield a packaged convenience food that can be reconstituted by adding hot water or milk, producing an approximation of mashed potatoes. They are available in many different flavors.

    What makes instant mashed potatoes gummy? ›

    As already discussed, pastiness is caused by too much potato starch being worked into the mashed potatoes. The main way we combat this problem is by rinsing away starch, both before and after cooking potatoes for fluffy mashed potatoes.

    Why are my instant mashed potatoes gluey? ›

    When too much starch gets released, the potatoes become gummy, gluey, and unappetizing. Overworking the potatoes can happen in a couple ways: either by simply handling them too much, or by using a food processor, blender, or similar tool, which mixes the potatoes too aggressively.

    Why are my instant mashed potatoes gritty? ›

    In order to fix lumpy or gritty mashed potatoes you may need to add more liquid to them such as melted butter and some milk. Make sure the water that you put into the potatoes is warm or hot enough to totally saturate the flakes.

    How do you eat potato flakes? ›

    You can also use your flakes to give a soft and velvety texture to potato bread and rolls or as a base for potato soup. Add a crispy coating to pork or chicken by dipping pieces in an egg wash then coating in potato flakes. Add your flakes to meatballs, meatloaf or even sauces as a thickening agent!

    Are potato flakes just instant mashed potatoes? ›

    Instant mashed potato flakes, often known as potato buds, are made from dried, previously cooked potatoes. A user may make instant mashed potatoes by rehydrating them in hot water or milk. There's no denying that homemade mashed potatoes are better, but there are times when potato flakes are the better option.

    Are potato flakes the same as mashed potatoes? ›

    Dried mashed potato flakes are actually made from dehydrated real potatoes so they can be a bit of a 'cheat ingredient' in a commercial kitchen. Not by reconstituting with boiling water and serving as a side dish of mashed potatoes - but used as a neutral tasting thickener, an alternative to a flour based thickener.

    Are potato flakes as healthy as potatoes? ›

    Nutrition. Instant mashed potatoes have substantially more sodium than fresh potatoes, and much less dietary fiber. In other respects they are similar to mashed fresh potatoes in their nutritional qualities, about two-thirds starch by dry weight, with smaller amounts of protein, dietary fiber, and vitamins.

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