How to Reheat Mashed Potatoes
The key to reheating mashed potatoes is to not dry them out in the process. When starch is overheated it can either become dried out or pasty.
It seems like every time I make mashed potatoes I end up with tons of leftovers compared to the main meal. The good part is, they go well with so many dishes that I can just reheat them the next day.
In this post, I am going to cover how to reheat mashed potatoes perfectly every time.
Reheating mashed potatoes Options
Adding moisture and retaining it during the reheating process is vital to enjoying the same great taste and texture as when you first cooked them.
You can use butter, oil, milk, cream, or broth to add moisture to your potatoes when you are going to reheat them.
If mashed potatoes get too hot or overcooked they tend to become pasty or glue-like consistency. This happens because the starch in the potatoes has been released too much and causes sticky mashed potatoes.
You also want to make sure that you cover your mashed potatoes when you are reheating them so that the moisture is kept in them. Otherwise, they will dry out and release all the moisture through their steam.
Also, learn how to add some flavor to mashed potatoes.
Oven
Reheating mashed potatoes in the oven is going to give you the best results by far. You are going to be able to keep the great taste and texture that you had when you cooked them before.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Put your leftover mashed potatoes into an oven-safe dish. Add 2 tablespoons of liquid to add moisture. You can use cream, milk, butter, or broth they all work well.
Cover with a lid or with heavy-duty aluminum foil and place in the oven for 20 minutes. Depending on the number of mashed potatoes and your oven, you may need to add a few more minutes.
Remove from the oven and give them a gentle stir to reincorporate all of the moisture. Be sure not to over mix though.
You know what goes great with mashed potatoes is a reheated rotisserie chicken.
Summary
Stovetop
The stovetop is a fairly quick way to reheat a small number of mashed potatoes. You will want a pan with a cover so that you can trap in the moisture as they reheat.
Preheat your skillet on medium-low heat for about 5-7 minutes. Add a tablespoon of butter, let it melt, and then add in your mashed potatoes.
Stir them around a little so that they can reheat evenly without burning to the bottom of the pan. Be careful to not over mix them as they will become sticky.
Once they are reheated, remove them from the burner and serve.
Summary
Microwave
The microwave isn’t really the best option when reheating mashed potatoes as it won’t reheat consistently and tends to make them gluey in texture.
But if you are in a hurry or this is your only option then put your mashed potatoes in a microwave-safe dish.
Cover with plastic wrap or a microwave-safe cover, mix with a little milk, cream, or broth, and place it in the microwave.
Cook on reheat or if your microwave doesn’t have that option, cook on medium for 1 minute, check and stir every 30 seconds until they are warmed to your liking.
Summary
Reheating Mashed Potatoes Methods Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons | |
| Oven | Reheats evenly without losing moisture | Take longer as you have to preheat the oven |
| Stove-top | Easy to maintain moisture | Doesn’t reheat evenly |
| Microwave | Fast | Makes the texture like gelatin |
FAQ
How do you reheat mashed potatoes without drying them out?
When you are reheating mashed potatoes it is important to add a little milk, cream, or broth to them before you reheat them to prevent them from drying out.
Reheating mashed potatoes in the oven with an oven-safe lid will give you the best results.
Is it OK to make mashed potatoes the day before?
Yes, you can get the potatoes cooked, mashed, and seasoned the day before.
Just be sure to not over mashed them.
All you have to do is add in a little milk, cream, or broth to them when you reheat them.
