The 7 Best Instant Mashed Potatoes to Buy for When You Need a Side Stat
No peeling, boiling, cutting, or mashing required.
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If you’re cooking up a delicious Thanksgiving feast or an easy weeknight meatloaf, chances are mashed potatoes will be on the menu. But this starchy side can be such a pain to make from scratch. Peeling dozens of potatoes? No thanks! Enter instant mashed potatoes. These dehydrated potatoes transform into fluffy, creamy potatoes almost instantly — just add water (or milk and butter).
Invented in 1962 as a convenience food for campers and the military (fun fact!), these dehydrated spuds are now a household staple, and you can find so many options in the grocery store. But not all flakes are created equal. We whipped up 20 pots of instant mashed potatoes to find the fluffiest, creamiest, tastiest ones. (Note: We followed the instructions on the package for each, so some spuds were mixed with water, while others had milk, water and butter. In a pinch, you can make any of these with water.) Stock up on one of our favorites to keep in your pantry for those moments when you need an easy side stat.
P.S. You can also use these instant potato flakes to thicken creamy soups or gravies, or fold ‘em into meatloaf or meatballs.
"I can't believe this isn't the real thing!" raved one taster. With a silky-smooth texture and surprisingly "fresh potato taste," this brand beat out the others in terms of its likeness to homemade mashed spuds.
With a consistency so smooth, it could rival real mashed potatoes, and people loved its "deliciously buttery flavor." But, be careful: tasters thought it could be a tad salty, so we highly recommend using unsalted butter (instead of salted).
Its texture won everyone over, since it wasn't grainy in the slightest. Some tasters commented that it was "a bit bland," but we think it would make a great blank canvas for your favorite mix-ins. Fold in chopped garlic and Parmesan, Cheddar and chives, or caramelized onions and bacon.
Though not ideal for whipping up instant spuds, these dehydrated flakes work great as an ingredient in breads and cake mixes. Plus, they're made with just one ingredient — potatoes — and no artificial preservatives or additives.
While not quite a silky-smooth mash, this option still has a solid texture. One taster noted, "it feels like the texture that you'd find inside a baked potato." Others appreciate its saltier, buttery flavor.
Of all the flavored options everyone tried, tasters found this one tasted best, citing its subtle, "not overly fake" flavor. However, many found its texture a bit glue-y.
Okay, not technically "instant," these spuds require just about the same amount of effort, maybe less. Pop 'em into a oven, and walk away. This frozen option is every bit as rich and creamy as the real deal, and contains just four ingredients (potatoes, cream, butter, salt).
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