We tested three types of instant potatoes: Idahoan Buttery Homestyle Mashed Potatoes: These were our favorite! They had great buttery flavor, a good consistency and were fairly light and fluffy. … They had the consistency most like our traditional fresh homemade mashed potatoes, and the flavor was comforting.

What instant mashed potatoes are best?

• 1 Idahoan Original Mashed Potatoes. …
• 2 Betty Crocker Mashed Potatoes. …
• 3 Hungry Jack Potato Hungry Jack Mashed Potatoes. …
• 4 Bob’s Red Mill Potato Flakes. …
• 5 Idaho Spuds Classic Mashed Potatoes. …
• 6 365 Everyday Value Instant Mashed Potatoes.

Why is instant mashed potatoes bad for you?

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.

Are powdered mashed potatoes good?

Nutritionally speaking, instant mashed potatoes offer roughly the same vitamins and minerals as the real mashed potatoes with the exception of Vitamin C. To please palates, they tend to be higher in sodium, significantly higher than the amount of salt home cooks would add when making them at home from scratch.

Are potato flakes and instant mashed potatoes the same thing?

Sometimes called potato buds, instant mashed potato flakes are dehydrated cooked potatoes. Reconstitute them with hot water or milk, and you’ve got mashed potatoes. While there’s no question that making mashed potatoes from scratch is worth the effort, potato flakes do have their place.

What kind of instant potatoes does KFC use?

According to a KFC manager on this Reddit Ask Me Anything thread, KFC’s mashed potatoes come from powdered potatoes, a.k.a instant mashed potatoes. One excellent KFC copycat recipe hails Idahoan brand mashed potatoes as a close approximation of the dried potato flakes KFC uses in their kitchen.

Why are Bob Evans mashed potatoes so good?

Forget all the peeling and boiling it takes to make homemade mashed potatoes. Bob Evans Original Mashed Potatoes are made with 100% fresh potatoes, real butter and milk and no artificial flavors, which mean they taste fresh! They are gluten free also!

Why are my instant mashed potatoes grainy?

If you can boil water, you can make mashed potatoes, sure, but home cooks often don’t use enough water when cooking potatoes. … “The less water you use to cover the potatoes, the more starch in the water.” That starch gives finished mashed potatoes a sticky, grainy texture.

Are packaged mashed potatoes healthy?

1. They’re surprisingly healthy. According to Consumer Reports, store-bought mashed scored “good” in the nutrition category based on calories, fat, saturated fat, sodium, sugars, iron, calcium, and fiber—with most products prepared with 2 percent milk, unsalted butter, and salt.

Who makes instant mashed potatoes?

365 by Whole Foods Market Original Instant Mashed Potatoes These spuds are light as air and pleasantly fluffy; they literally melt onto your tongue like a cloud. They’re not as creamy as Bob’s, but their firmer texture makes them great for scooping and serving, since the mounds will maintain their shape.

Article first time published on

Are Idaho potatoes healthy?

Idaho® Potatoes are delicious and nutritious and loaded with important vitamins and nutrients, like Vitamin B6, Potassium and Vitamin C, that help keep your body fueled and strong all day long! They are also fat-free, cholesterol-free and a good source of dietary fiber.

Are instant mashed potatoes kidney friendly?

Avoid baked potatoes or potatoes cooked in a microwave because all of the potassium stays inside the potatoes. Avoid scalloped and instant mashed potatoes as well as French fries. Peeling, cutting and soaking potatoes in water overnight leaches out some of the potassium.

Are instant mashed potatoes good after expiration date?

We do not recommend using our product past the Best By Date as the potatoes will start to break down affecting taste, texture and the overall quality of the product. In some rare cases the potatoes can also spoil.

Do mice like instant potatoes?

Instant potato flakes can be placed out for mice. Once they consume the flakes, they become very thirsty. … Baking soda creates carbon dioxide, and mice are unable to expel this.

What happened to Potatobuds?

Betty Crocker has retained the name, but completely changed the product inside the box. These are no longer “buds”, but flakes that make up into an awful, heavy, sticky, gummy, pasty, mass.

Can I use instant mashed potatoes instead of potato starch?

Sometimes even dried potato flakes can be a substitute for potato starch—yes, the kind in the box that you use when you want instant mashed potatoes.

Does Bob Evans use real potatoes?

Our Original Mashed Potatoes are made with real potatoes, cream, and butter, giving you the scoop of perfection your meal needs!

Is there sour cream in Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes?

Made with real sour cream and chives, fresh real potatoes, butter, and milk, Bob Evans Sour Cream & Chives Mashed Potatoes tastes like homemade. … Easily prepared in the microwave, Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes are a true timesaver.

How do you make store bought mashed potatoes better?

1. Milk: Milk adds to the richness of the potatoes. …
2. Chicken broth: This adds a richer flavor than if you would just use water.
3. Butter: Butter is always a good idea. …
4. Sour Cream: Sour cream and potatoes just go together.

Is Popeyes mashed potatoes real?

Popeyes mashed potatoes with gravy When made fresh from actual boiled potatoes, divinely merged with cream, butter, and salt, mashed potatoes are freaking delicious. … We aren’t saying that Popeyes’ mashed potatoes with gravy is made from just-add-water dehydrated spuds, we’re just saying they taste like they could be.

Do restaurants use instant potatoes?

Sure, there are budget buffets and fast food joints that use dehydrated potato flakes but that’s why they are the bottom feeders of the culinary world. Mashed potatoes are easy to make, cost little money and are only delicious if made from fresh spuds. Any restaurant serving instant mash should be avoided.

Are Boston Market potatoes real?

They start with Boston Market’s regular mashed potatoes, which are real – not the boxed instant potatoes you find in lesser buffet lines. The regular mashed potatoes have butter and milk in them. … I love the mouth-feel of these mashed spuds.

Are instant potatoes bad?

While instant potatoes offer some nutritional value — and provide a healthier option than fast-food potato dishes, such as fries — they aren’t as nutritious as potatoes made from scratch.

Are dried potatoes healthy?

1 Because they are made from fresh potatoes, dehydrated potatoes deliver the same nutrients as fresh potatoes, (such as potassium, vitamin C and fiber).

Why are mashed potatoes bad for dogs?

The main problem with mashed potatoes and why they are “bad” for dogs, is that they are very starchy and packed full of carbohydrates and calories. That means it can be easy for your dog to eat too much, and all those extra carbs will quickly add up and lead to your pooch piling on the pounds.

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

Swap Out the Water Instant potatoes usually call for hot water to reconstitute the dehydrated flakes. Instantly add flavor by replacing half or all of the water with an equal amount of chicken broth. … You can also swap milk or half-and-half for the water required.

How do you make instant potatoes thicker?

If you happen to have instant potato flakes or potato gems in your food storage, they work wonderfully, but there are plenty of other options if you don’t! Cornstarch, flour, tapioca, powdered milk, or a hard cheese like Parmesan are all great ways to get your potatoes a little thicker.

What are instant mashed potatoes made of?

Made from dehydrated potato flakes and potato flour (plus other additives), these potatoes are reconstituted with warm milk or water for an instant dish. Instant mashed potatoes are great for the budget-conscious and those tight on time, but the lackluster flavor and questionable texture are factors to consider.

Does Aldi sell instant mash?

A $3 bag of instant mash potato from Aldi has been dubbed a game-changer by shoppers who say the quick dinner option tastes ‘just like the real thing’. The one kilo bags of instant mash can be found, for a limited time, in the supermarket’s freezer aisle.

Are instant mashed potatoes bad for diabetics?

Any recipes that involve mashed or crushed potato, such as potato pasta, are less appropriate for people with diabetes. Processing the potato in this way increases its GI and the potential impact that it may have on a person’s blood sugar levels.

How long does instant mashed potatoes take?

Microwave the instant mashed potatoes for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. Put the bowl in the microwave and microwave the instant mashed potatoes on full power for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. Stir and serve the instant mashed potatoes.