32 Best Potato Recipes

Many people refer to potatoes as "humble," but if you ask us, the versatile root vegetables are really anything but. After all, they never fail to show off their incredible shape-shifting abilities, going from creamy to tender to crispy depending on the dish. And though most types of potatoes have flavors that lean towards mild, their subtle earthiness serves as the perfect canvas for a palette of herbs, spices, and other ingredients to turn them into delicious works of edible art. Finally, they have a rich and starchy texture that simply can't be beaten, adding a heartiness to every recipe in which they appear, whether they're fried, baked, or pureed into soup.

Given the fact that tubers are typically easy to grow and are now found as a crop across the world (since originally making their way from South America), it's no wonder that practically every culture and region has its own favorite way to incorporate them into their diets. And for this reason, you'll never run out of fresh new ways to prepare potatoes. From entrees to side dishes to desserts, there's nothing a spud can't do.

Creamy mashed potatoes combine with tender chunks of lobster in this decadent dish that's as luxurious as it is delicious. As shellfish lovers may or may not already know, lobster comes packed with lean protein, vitamins, and minerals, so including some in your potato mix is sure to result in a fulfilling bite. Throw in the fact that this recipe includes butter, double cream, plus all the juices of the lobster, and you can expect some seriously rich and moist spuds with a seafood kick.

Recipe: Lobster Mashed Potatoes

Upgrade your side of potatoes with this Spanish-style recipe that calls for yummy baby Yukon Golds. To achieve an extra crispy result, you'll want to double cook these bite-sized spuds: first boiling them in water until soft, then sizzling them in a sauté pan with olive oil until golden brown. Since they're sautéed with fresh garlic, flaky sea salt, parsley, and a dash of lemon zest, they'll be both fragrant and flavorful on your plate.

Recipe: Spanish-Style Potatoes

Kugel is a centuries-old, traditionally Jewish dish that has long been a staple on Passover dinner tables. Of course, everyone can enjoy this casserole-style bake at any family gathering, year-round. Rather than egg noodles, potatoes are the star of the show in this version, which calls for them to be grated. They're then mixed with onions, eggs, salt, garlic granules, and extra potato starch, along with parsley and chives for a bright, herby flavor. Everything gets baked until the outer layer has a gorgeous crisp, while the middle remains soft and delicate.

Recipe: Passover Potato Kugel

While you'll typically find sweet potatoes used in dishes that play up their, well, sweetness, don't underestimate their range. In this alternative to a marshmallow-topped side dish, sweet potatoes get to show off their savory capabilities, combining with garlic and parsley for a perfectly balanced taste. Beyond the beauty that the bright orange color will bring to your dinner table, you'll love this recipe because it takes just about 20 minutes to get there, from start to finish.

Recipe: Garlic-Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Parsley and potatoes are a match made in heaven — there's a reason we keep putting them on our plates. To whip up the best version of this classic side dish, this recipe is the only one you'll need. Covered in garlic butter and mixed with peppery parsley, the earthy fingerlings become infused with an herbaceous flavor that will complement any savory main course, from roasted chicken to hearty sirloin. Pro tip: They're best served warm, right out of the pot.

Recipe: The Best Parsley Potatoes

They may look fancy (and they certainly are), but these lovely "pommes fondant" don't require the cooking skills of a gourmet chef to create. It's really all about attaining the barrel-like shape, which allows the potatoes to stand upright quite elegantly, like a line of starchy soldiers. After strategically slicing the tops and bottoms of the tubers, you'll simply sear them on both sides until brown, then pop them in the oven to bake while soaking up the juicy goodness of chicken broth and butter. The result? A refined side dish that melts in your mouth.

Recipe: Easy Fondant Potatoes

A traditional Ashkenazi Jewish snack turned popular street food, the mighty knish combines two of our favorite things: freshly baked bread and creamy mashed potatoes. For an extra kick, the potato mixture also includes a generous amount of onion. Given the fact that the fluffy, starchy filling comes wrapped in baked dough, these round knishes are conveniently hand-held and make for the perfect picnic or game day bite, as they can be enjoyed on-the-go. Dip them in mustard for a dose of street fair or stadium nostalgia, in the style of a baked pretzel.

Recipe: Round Baked Potato Knish

From potlocks to summer barbecues, if you're in need of a yummy side dish you can easily make ahead of time, look no further than this fresh twist on potato salad. Instead of the typical eggs and mayonnaise, this "French" version sees chopped potatoes mixed with bright Dijon mustard and Champagne vinegar, along with herbs like dill and parsley. It only takes about 30 minutes to whip up and it's best served cold, so you can place it in the fridge overnight.

Recipe: French Potato Salad

Certainly not your typical baked potato, this cross-cut style of spuds gets its name from the Swedish restaurant where it was first invented, called "Hasselbacken." No matter which type of tuber you give the Hasselback treatment to, they'll end up looking especially refined on any plate, and all it takes is some simple slicing. Of course, this recipe calls for sweet potatoes, that when coated with butter, maple syrup, and spices, will turn into the perfect sweet and savory side dish.

Recipe: Easy Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

If you love your air fryer, you're going to love using it to make these crispy homemade sweet potato fries (in under 30 minutes!). Don't worry about losing flavor by skipping the deep-fry–these speared sweet potatoes are covered in seasonings, including chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, arrowroot powder, and salt, so your taste buds definitely won't get bored. Serve alongside burgers at your next barbecue or whip them up as a tasty and nutritious weeknight snack.

Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Are you a fan of pulpy orange juice? Prefer a little extra texture on your palate? Then give these chunky smashed potatoes a try. Rather than going the ultra-smooth route, this recipe keeps things interesting by leaving the potato skins in your mashed mix, providing colorful flicks of red along with a more chewy mouthfeel. Of course, there's also butter enough to complement the skins with a rich creaminess. Simply put: It's the best of both worlds, all in one bowl.

Recipe: Smashed Potatoes

What's better than crispy fried potatoes? That, of course, would be crispy fried potatoes — with cheese. Whether you call them latkes or potato pancakes, this delectable smash-up of shredded potatoes is given a gooey upgrade with the addition of extra sharp cheddar cheese. Not only does the melted cheddar help keep everything nicely packed together, but it also provides a comforting, savory complement to the mildly earthy spuds. Top with sour cream and chives for a truly classic taste.

Recipe: Potato And Cheese Pancakes

We love this alternative version of a classic potato salad, which is both colorful and nourishing. Gorgeous multicolored fingerling potatoes steal the spotlight in this dish, mixed with vibrant green beans. They're sizzled up with shallots and garlic, then tossed in tangy Dijon mustard and red wine vinegar. By the time they reach your plate, the vegetables become perfectly tender and infused with refreshing flavors perfect for summertime gatherings. Bookmark this recipe for your next backyard bash or family dinner. And to really lean into the German theme, serve as a side to crispy chicken schnitzel.

Recipe: Warm German Potato Salad

Potatoes might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think "dessert," but this rustic sweet potato pie is sure to convince you of the spud's decadent merits. After all, you can consider this gooey treat an alternative to pumpkin pie. And while it's filled with warm, autumnal spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, which pair perfectly with the flavors of canned sweet potato puree, the dish is sure to become a welcome addition to your dinner table, no matter the season — especially if served with ice cream.

Recipe: Simple Sweet Potato Pie

Why make your way to the drive-thru when you can easily whip up the perfect fries at home? And if you don't have an air-fryer on hand, fret not: these yummy sweet potato fries are baked in a regular ol' oven. Simply peel and slice your tubers into thin and long spears, spread them out on a baking sheet, and sprinkle them with spices including garlic powder, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Then just pop them in the oven for 35 minutes and relax. All you need to do next is get the ketchup ready.

Recipe: Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Chunky, chewy, and creamy — what else could you ask for in the perfect potato salad? In this recipe, the beloved barbecue side dish gets an upgrade with the addition of dill, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. They all combine to provide a refreshing punch of flavor to the milder-tasting mayonnaise, which is, of course, a staple ingredient in many potato salads. In the end, hearty skin-on spuds become tender and gooey, wrapped up in the creamy sauce. Since it offers so many textures and flavors fitting for all sorts of palates, this version is a certified crowd-pleaser.

Recipe: Creamy Dill Potato Salad

If you've yet to try Gulab Jamun, consider this your sign to take your taste buds on a trip to India, where this sweet confectionery is commonly enjoyed. Although this version of the dessert is a bit nontraditional, the result is essentially the same: fried dough balls (similar to donut holes) soaked in a mouthwatering saffron and cardamom syrup. As for where the sweet potatoes come in? In this vegan recipe, they're actually used to create the dough, achieving the ideal consistency for frying when packed and rolled with flour and sugar.

Recipe: Vegan Sweet Potato Gulab Jamun

Take your tapas to the next level by incorporating some vibrant and savory purple potatoes into your tortilla española. Don't be fooled by its name — there are no "tortilla chips" involved. In fact, this dish hailing from Spain is more like a frittata, consisting of eggs, onions, and in this case, beautiful purple potatoes, which provide a pop of color and hearty texture. After frying, broiling, and baking for about 30 minutes, you can cut the layered creation into bite-sized squares to share with friends, or just transfer it all onto your own plate for a Spanish-inspired breakfast.

Recipe: Spanish Tortilla With Purple Potatoes

Heartier than your regular morning pancakes, these soft and smooth fried potato cakes are a tasty and filling option to add to any meal, from breakfast 'til dinner. They're also a great way to repurpose leftover mashed potatoes that may not be up for microwaving. Simply add flour, eggs, and a dash of salt, pepper, and chives, and mix until your potatoes have achieved a dough-like consistency that you can pack into thin, round patties. Then, just like regular pancakes, sizzle them on your stovetop until each side is golden brown.

Recipe: Irish Potato Cakes

Looking for a new way to serve potatoes on the side? Opt for these garlicky, herby discs of goodness. The best part about this recipe is that you won't need to parboil the potatoes before frying, saving you the hassle and the time. Since you'll be slicing them extra thin, you can simply place each disc right into the skillet to get them sizzling, before soaking them in garlic and butter. To achieve the perfect crispy-on-the-outside, soft-in-the-middle result, it's best to use Yukon gold or russet potatoes, which strike the ideal balance between waxy and starchy.

Recipe: Garlic Herb Skillet Potatoes

You can whip out your trusty Instant Pot if you'd prefer to save yourself the trouble of watching a pot of potatoes boil, but even if you're cooking them the old-fashioned way, you can still turn to this recipe for ultra-creamy mashed potatoes (just skip the instant pot instructions). All you really need to take note of are the additional "secret" ingredients: broth, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, and mayonnaise. Add them all as you mash and you'll have one rich and moist serving of mashed potatoes.

Recipe: Creamy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Although roasting potatoes in the oven does take some time (about an hour, in this case), these perfectly seasoned red skin potato wedges will definitely be worth the wait. They're not only sprinkled with a whole rack's worth of herbs and spices–garlic, oregano, onion powder, dried thyme, dried basil, finely-chopped parsley, pepper, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg — but also splashed with lemon juice and zest for an extra kick. To put it simply, these tender wedges will be bursting with irresistible flavor (and fragrance) by the time you take them out of the oven.

Recipe: Lemony Roasted Potatoes

You'll feel some nostalgia when you scoop out a serving of these ooey-gooey scalloped potatoes. The classic comfort dish features layers of thinly sliced potato rounds, milky garlic and onion sauce, and, of course, two types of grated cheese: cheddar and Parmesan. Once the ingredients are assembled in a baking pan, simply pop everything into the oven and wait for the top to get golden brown. When they're ready to serve, the potatoes will have soaked up the creamy juices while the cheese has become decadently melty.

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes

It's twice the bake, twice the flavor when it comes to these potatoes with all the fixings, from rich sour cream and melty cheese to green onions and crispy bacon. While the double-baking process is certainly the main feature of this recipe, we'd argue that the most important step is actually making the filling, which involves scooping out the softened potato, mixing it with the creamy ingredients, and placing it all back in the skin "shells." Don't forget to save some cheese, bacon, and onions to place on top before re-baking, so you'll have a yummy, gooey layer to dig into.

Recipe: Ultimate Twice-Baked Potatoes

Just by looking at this gorgeous dish of vibrant, multicolored fingerling potatoes, no one would guess that it took only 25 minutes total to make. So if you're on the lookout for an impressive side dish that appears fancy, but doesn't require any fancy cooking skills, bookmark this recipe for your next dinner party. All you have to do is chop, boil, season, and roast — you don't even have to peel the potato skins. Once done, these colorful spuds are perfectly crisp and coated in the well-rounded flavors of garlic, thyme, and watercress.

Recipe: Extra-Crispy Fingerling Potatoes

Visually, texturally, and flavorfully pleasing, these smashed potatoes offer a fun new approach to enjoying the root vegetable, either as a side dish or finger food (trust us, these morsels are great for dipping!). It's best to use small Yukon golds here, as their particular texture is ideal for getting that perfect outer crisp while remaining creamy in the middle. As the name suggests, this recipe involves squashing down the potatoes on a baking pan before popping them in the oven (with the skin on) to get crispy.

Recipe: Crispy-Edged Smashed Potatoes

There's nothing like a homemade potato salad to pair with burgers and hot dogs at a barbecue, and this version serves up some Southern hospitality with every bite. Made with skin-on Yukon golds and a range of ingredients, including hard-boiled eggs, celery, mayonnaise, sweet relish, and yellow mustard, the salad is equal parts chunky and creamy, with a dash of extra tang. The bright and refreshing flavors of the celery, mustard, and relish make it particularly great for summer dining, although you'll definitely want to enjoy this dish year-round.

Recipe: Classic Southern Potato Salad

Potatoes are a quintessential breakfast hero, especially when they come in the form of wonderfully tender, bite-sized home fries. This simple, rustic dish can be enjoyed alongside both sweet and savory morning favorites, from cheesy omelets to blueberry pancakes. The key here is the cubing of the taters, which gives them the perfect shape and size to fry up evenly in the skillet, then fit perfectly on your fork. They're minimally seasoned with salt, allowing for their rich texture and earthy flavor to really shine through.

Recipe: Simple Home Fries

While potatoes can certainly be considered a "comfort food" in all of their many forms, there's nothing quite like the combination of spuds and soup to really warm you up inside. A thick and velvety bowl of this potato and leek soup is just the ticket when you're in need of a quick meal you can cozy up with. It takes just about 40 minutes total to make, and involves pureeing the veggies until they become smooth and spoonable. Since both main ingredients are especially hearty, this is a more filling soup option that you can serve as a main course.

Recipe: Classic Potato Leek Soup

From holiday dinner parties to everyday family feasts, a rich and creamy serving of potatoes au gratin will never disappoint a crowd. The French potato casserole can be made with any sort of cheese, but to really stay on-theme, this version employs soft, gooey Gruyere for peak decadence. After boiling the potatoes and slicing them into rounds, layer them up in a pan with three types of dairy: the cheese, of course, along with milk and heavy cream. Once baked, the cheesy top layer will become golden brown while the potatoes become soft and moist.

Recipe: Potatoes Au Gratin With Gruyere

Latkes may have originated as an Ashkenazi Jewish dish, commonly enjoyed during Hanukkah, but these days they're a universal comfort food, beloved within the Jewish community and beyond. And even when they're not being eaten during a holiday, fried potato fritters are always a cause for celebration. These starchy, savory parcels feature thinly shredded russet spuds, flour, onions, and egg, all packed together into tasty patties that are perfectly crunchy on the outside, and soft and warm in the middle. They're best accompanied by sour cream or applesauce (or both!).

Recipe: Classic Latkes

You'll typically find baked potatoes listed as a "side dish" on the menu, but this version, loaded with yummy toppings, is a meal in and of itself. You don't need to boil these babies before popping them into the oven (whole!) since they'll be slow-cooked in there for a little over three hours. Once they've become melt-in-your-mouth tender, slice them down the middle and pack in all the fixins, including sour cream, cheddar cheese, and bacon. Cook them for five more minutes so everything gets melty, and voilà–spuds bursting with flavor and creamy goodness.

Recipe: Super Slow-Cooked Loaded Baked Potato