Potatoes are one of life's greatest gifts. Crispy, fresh potato chips are arguably the greatest snack of all time. Why then, have we never thought to make potato chip mashed potatoes? Leave it to social media to solve this great mystery. In 2020, Tiktok user Elis_kitchen, a budding home chef, used Lay's potato chips to make mashed potatoes.
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If you think that's crazy, you're not alone. With over 450K views, many viewers were both appalled and disgusted. The only way to see if it's crazy or ingenious is to try this crazy concoction yourself.
Potato Chip Mashed Potatoes
To make potato chip mashed potatoes you'll first add your bag of potato chips to a pot of boiling water. Once the chips are soft and mushy, you'll drain the excess water and pour the potato mixture back into the pot. Mash up the potatoes and add in your desired seasonings. The classic route is butter and heavy cream, but variations include smoked paprika, sour cream, jalapeno, and parmesan or cheddar cheese.
Sam the Cooking Guy puts his own spin on these mashed potatoes by using different flavors of Lay's Potato Chips to create interesting combos. He notes the ease of using a bag of chips instead of real potatoes. For one thing, you don't need any fancy equipment like a baking sheet or food mill. He also commends the speed of making this. The total cook time is about 8 minutes, verses 30 minutes or more for real mashed potatoes. We're not sure if the potassium or other nutrients are the same, though.
This Is Not a Diet Food
If you're trying to keep a svelte figure and eat healthy, you probably shouldn't be eating mashed potatoes period. Russet potatoes are naturally high in carbohydrates in the form of starch. While potato chips themselves don't contain cholesterol, eating large quantities of fried food isn't helpful to your health. If you want to indulge, it's better to have this as a side dish or small appetizer portion, but normally prepared mashed potatoes can be a part of a healthy diet in moderation.
