TikTok's Mashed Potato Chips Recipe Is the Easiest Way to Make the Popular Side

No potatoes, no problem.

No potatoes? No problem. Naturally, TikTok users have come up with the perfect hack to whip up potato chips into a steamy bowl of mashed potatoes, no peeling, no boiling, no chopping, and very little mashing required. The technique iterates on instant mashed potatoes, which are dehydrated potato flakes stirred with hot liquid to make a fluffy side dish. So why not turn your fried (or baked) spuds into a bowl of mashed potatoes? It’s inexpensive, super easy, and versatile enough that you can customize the dish however you like. Here’s how to make potato chip mashed potatoes.

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How to Make Mashed Potato Chips

Start with your favorite potato chips. Thinly sliced chips, like Lays or their counterparts, work nicely because they dissolve easily. @SamTheCookingGuy recommends a ratio of three ounces of potato chips (by weight, not volume) to a cup of boiling water. You can certainly play with the ratio depending on the chip you use, and add more chips or hot water along the way. Several creators have also made much larger batches, but because this recipe only takes a few minutes to complete, it’s safe to start with a smaller potion and then increase the recipe as desired.

Bring water to a boil, and stir in potato chips, slightly smashing them with a spoon as they hit the water. As you stir for a few minutes, you’ll see your creation starting to resemble mashed potatoes. Now, add about a quarter cup of cream or milk to make these mashed potatoes richer, and more like their original version. Some versions of the recipe start by cooking the potato chips in warm milk, so the potatoes are infused with rich flavor from the first step. Another version adds some butter in the original cooking process, so potatoes are covered in richness from the start.

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Once all the ingredients are together, scoop and serve immediately. Top with a pat of butter or a sprinkle of cheese, if desired.

Mashed Potato Chip Upgrades

Make your mashed potato chips your own by tweaking the recipe just a bit. Consider mixing in some flavored potato chips for a rich sour cream and onion take, jazz it up with truffle chips, or even get flavorful with a cheddar or Old Bay rendition. You can play with flavored and plain chips to create your own ratio. You can also try using baked chips, like Pringles, which are essentially dried potatoes, and will taste a little less salty.

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Sprinkle some potato chip crumbs on top (the bits at the bottom of the bag or some smashed in your hands will work) to add texture, crunch, and a little extra flavor when serving mashed potato chips. You can also add fresh herbs, like chopped parsley or chives, for a gourmet flair.

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