20 Ways to Turn Leftover Mashed Potatoes Into Something Amazing

If you have some extra mashed potatoes left over, try using them in a new way instead of just throwing them out. These recipes are perfect for turning those plain potatoes into something really special, like a crispy snack, a full meal, or even a tasty dessert. Everything is simple to make and uses regular ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. You will find lots of smart ideas that are great for any time of day and make your cooking more fun and creative.

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KFC Potato Bowl Recipe (Famous Popcorn Chicken Bowl)

A blue bowl filled with mashed potatoes topped with shredded cheese and several pieces of crispy fried chicken. — KFC Potato Bowl Recipe (Famous Popcorn Chicken Bowl). Photo credit: Summer Yule.

This copycat KFC Potato Bowl recipe has popcorn chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn all layered together in one bowl so it tastes just like the real thing but costs a lot less to make at home.
Get the Recipe: KFC Potato Bowl Recipe (Famous Popcorn Chicken Bowl)

Tortitas de Papa con Atun (Tuna Potato Patties)

A white plate holds five golden-brown potato cakes garnished with fresh cilantro. The plate has a blue floral pattern along its border. Next to the plate are three lime halves and a small bowl of green salsa on a light wood surface. — Tortitas de Papa con Atun. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

By mixing mashed potatoes with tuna, you can make these Tortitas de Papa con Atun into crispy patties that are great for a simple lunch or a light dinner, especially with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice on top.
Get Recipe: Tortitas de Papa con Atun

Gluten Free Chocolate Potato Cake

A piece of chocolate cake topped with a dollop of whipped cream on a white plate, with more cake pieces in the background. The cake is dusted with powdered sugar and placed on a light-colored surface near a fork. — Gluten Free Chocolate Potato Cake. Photo credit: Well Fed Baker.

This rich and moist Gluten Free Chocolate Potato Cake has a secret ingredient you would never guess, because the mashed potatoes make it super soft without any weird taste and it is great for anyone who can’t eat gluten.
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Chocolate Potato Cake

Baked Potato Flautas

Potato flautas on a white plate topped with lettuce and tomatoes. — Potato Flautas. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

You just need to roll mashed potatoes and some cheese inside tortillas and then bake them until they are crispy to make these Potato Flautas that are a great party snack or a quick dinner when you are busy.
Get Recipe: Baked Potato Flautas

Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes

Six golden-brown pancakes arranged in a curved line on a white rectangular plate, garnished with chopped green onions scattered over and around the pancakes. — Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

By mixing mashed potatoes with an egg and some flour, you can make these fluffy potato pancakes that are delicious eaten sweet with syrup or savory with a big scoop of sour cream.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes

Potato Tacos Dorados

The perfect way to use up mashed potatoes is to make these Potato Tacos Dorados by filling corn tortillas and frying them until they are golden and crunchy, then topping them with your favorite salsa.
Get Recipe: Potato Tacos Dorados

Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe: Irish Pub-Style

A savory pie in a cast iron skillet with a golden, crispy crust sits on a wooden table. A white cloth and wooden spoon are placed beside it, adding a rustic touch to the presentation. — Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe: Irish Pub-Style. Photo credit: Chicken Fried Kitchen.

This classic comfort food is made simpler when you use leftover mashed potatoes to top some browned meat and veggies before baking it all until it is hot and bubbly for a very satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe: Irish Pub-Style

Chocolate Mashed Potato Cake

A close-up of a chocolate cake slice topped with a layer of mocha frosting and sprinkled with chocolate shavings, served on a light blue plate. — Chocolate Mashed Potato Cake. Photo credit: I Heart Eating.

The mashed potatoes in this Chocolate Mashed Potato Cake make it super moist and rich, and you would never be able to guess the secret ingredient in this fun dessert that everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Mashed Potato Cake

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes (5 Ingredients)

A bowl of mashed potatoes topped with butter and garnished with chopped herbs. A spoon and fork are placed nearby, along with a small white plate. — Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes (5 Ingredients). Photo credit: Chew Out Loud.

If your leftover mashed potatoes have dried out a bit, this recipe shows you how to fix them right up in the Instant Pot by just adding some butter and milk to make them creamy again.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes (5 Ingredients)

Easy Lentil Shepherd’s Pie (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Four individual servings of shepherd's pie in white ramekins, topped with golden, crispy mashed potatoes and garnished with chopped herbs. They are arranged in a grid-like pattern on a white background. — Easy Lentil Shepherd’s Pie (Vegan, Gluten-Free). Photo credit: Strength and Sunshine.

This vegan version of shepherd’s pie uses lentils instead of meat and is topped with a layer of creamy mashed potatoes, making it a hearty meal that is satisfying enough to please everyone.
Get the Recipe: Easy Lentil Shepherd’s Pie (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Vegan Potato Cakes with Carrot and Rice

Three crispy, golden-brown cakes with herbs are arranged on a light blue plate. A fork rests on the edge of the plate. The background includes a white surface with red pepper flakes scattered around. — Vegan Potato Cakes with Carrot and Rice. Photo credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

You can mix mashed potatoes with some rice and carrots to make these healthy Vegan Potato Cakes that are filling enough for a full dinner but also light enough for a simple lunch.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Potato Cakes with Carrot and Rice

Soft & Buttery Potato Rolls

A close-up of several freshly baked bread rolls, golden brown and slightly crusty on top. The rolls are arranged closely together, filling the entire frame. — Soft & Buttery Potato Rolls. Photo credit: Cooking with Carlee.

Adding mashed potatoes to your roll dough creates the softest and most delicious dinner rolls ever, and they are great for serving with soup or just eating warm with a lot of butter.
Get the Recipe: Soft & Buttery Potato Rolls

Cinnamon Rolls With Potato Dough

Close-up of a cinnamon roll topped with creamy white icing, placed on a wooden surface. The roll looks fluffy and freshly baked, capturing a warm and inviting atmosphere. — Cinnamon Rolls With Potato Dough. Photo credit: Cooking with Carlee.

These Cinnamon Rolls are extra soft and fluffy because of the mashed potatoes in the dough, and the potato also helps them stay moist and fresh for a longer time, which is perfect for breakfast.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Rolls With Potato Dough

Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole

A slice of casserole featuring layers of seasoned ground meat, creamy mashed potatoes, melted cheese, and crispy bacon on top, served on a scalloped white plate. A fork is visible nearby. — Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

For a hearty twist on a classic, you can top your meatloaf with mashed potatoes instead of ketchup and then bake it until golden for a meal that feels extra special and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole

Dutch Oven Shepherd’s Pie

A slice of shepherd's pie with a mashed potato topping sits on a green patterned plate. The filling includes ground meat, corn, and red bell peppers. A sprig of thyme garnishes the dish, and a fork rests beside it. — Dutch Oven Shepherd’s Pie. Photo credit: Quiche My Grits.

This classic comfort food is even better when you make it in a Dutch oven because the mashed potato topping gets perfectly golden while the meaty filling underneath stays really juicy and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Shepherd’s Pie

Cheesy Potato Fritters

Close-up of crispy fritters topped with a dollop of cream and garnished with fresh dill on parchment paper. A small bowl with a creamy dip is partially visible in the upper left corner. — Cheesy Potato Fritters. Photo credit: White Kitchen Red Wine.

These crispy little Cheesy Potato Fritters are packed with lots of potato and cheese goodness, and they are perfect for dipping in ranch or ketchup for a snack that everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Potato Fritters

Ranch Mashed Potato Cups

A muffin tin holds mini baked potato bites topped with melted cheese and sprinkled with green herbs. Each bite is in a golden brown pastry cup, filled with creamy mashed potatoes. — Ranch Mashed Potato Cups. Photo credit: Erica’s Recipes.

You can bake these Ranch Mashed Potato Cups in a muffin tin with some ranch seasoning and cheese mixed in to create bite-sized snacks that are a big hit with kids and perfect for serving at parties.
Get the Recipe: Ranch Mashed Potato Cups

Creamy Baked Mashed Potatoes (make-ahead)

A close-up of a dish filled with mashed potatoes topped with melted cheese, crispy bacon bits, and chopped green onions, presented in a white oval serving dish. — Creamy Baked Mashed Potatoes (make-ahead). Photo credit: Chew Out Loud.

You can turn leftover mashed potatoes into a fancy side dish by baking them with cheese on top so they get crispy edges while staying creamy inside, which is much better than microwaving them.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Baked Mashed Potatoes (make-ahead)

Muffin Tin Mashed Potatoes

A muffin tin filled with savory muffins, garnished with chopped green onions. The muffins are golden brown with a crispy texture visible on top. The background is a marble countertop with a light checkered cloth in the corner. — Muffin Tin Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Simply Stacie.

Just press your leftover potatoes into muffin cups and bake them to create individual servings that get crispy on the outside while staying creamy inside, perfect with roast chicken or steak.
Get the Recipe: Muffin Tin Mashed Potatoes

Copycat KFC Famous Bowls

A bowl of mashed potatoes topped with crispy fried chicken, melted cheddar cheese, corn kernels, and chopped chives. — Copycat KFC Famous Bowls. Photo credit: A Seasoned Greeting.

You can make your own version of those famous bowls at home by layering mashed potatoes with crispy chicken, corn, and gravy for a meal that is very comforting and filling, especially for kids.
Get the Recipe: Copycat KFC Famous Bowls -Style