A Mashed Potato Bar is a perfect way to take the popular side dish and make it even more delicious and fun. Offer guests a variety of toppings to make their own version of the perfect mashed potato. From the usual bacon, cheese, chives or Hiland Dairy Sour Cream to other fun options like fried chicken, onions or peas.
Mashed Potatoes are a classic side dish for a reason. Creamy and buttery, pure comfort. I love mashed potatoes and I also love anything that gives me options. A Mashed Potato Bar is the ultimate way to serve the classic recipe to your guests. They can choose their own toppings to make their own mashed potato creation.
I used my favorite Baked Mashed Potatoes Recipe with my favorite Hiland Dairy Cream Cheese and Half and Half. A really easy recipe that is super creamy and buttery. You will be hooked. I have lots of suggestions for toppings for a Mashed Potato Bar, but the possibilities are endless.
A Mashed Potato Bar is so fun to do because everyone can create their favorite kind of mashed potatoes. Everyone loves options, so why not give your guests lots of options to make the best comfort food even better. Some people love bacon in their mashed potatoes, some people love green onions. Everyone wins, plus it’s easy to do and set up.
Setting up a Mashed Potato Bar is easy to do and once you set it, you can let your guests take the lead.
Mashed Potatoes – You need a great Mashed Potato Recipe that everyone will love. I love my Baked Mashed Potatoes. Really easy to make and always a huge hit. Tip: keep your mashed potatoes in a crockpot to keep them warm throughout serving.
Lots of small Bowls – Once you figure out the toppings you want to serve, you’ll need lots of small bowls to display the toppings so everyone can see what there is to choose from.
The topping ideas are endless, but here are lots of ideas to get your started on your own Mashed Potato Bar.
Hiland Dairy Sour Cream
Shredded Cheese – Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack
Melted Cheese Sauce
Red Onions
Caramelized Onions
Chives
Cooked Broccoli
Cooked Cauliflower
Chicken Strip Pieces
Chili
Bacon or Bacon Bits
Ham cubes
Pulled Pork
Sausage
Ground Beef
Gravy
Tomatoes
Corn
Peas
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Peel the potatoes and cut into fourths. Place the potatoes in a large pot and fill with water to just cover them. Bring to a boil and cook for about 25 minutes or until tender with a fork.
Drain water from the potatoes, dry off the pot and then return the potatoes to the pot. Turn the burner to low and mash the potatoes with a masher until smooth.
Add the butter, cream cheese, half and half, Lawry’s and salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Taste test and add more salt and pepper if needed.
Scoop the mashed into a large casserole dish. Place dollops of butter on top of the potatoes. Bake for about 10 minutes until butter is melted and potatoes are warm again. Serve warm!
Chop or pre cook any toppings the day before to make for an easy and quick set up.
Set out a separate dish or small bowl for each topping with scoops or tongs.
Offer different size dishes for guests to create their own big or small mashed potato creation
Use a Crockpot to keep the mashed potatoes warm while serving
What kind of potatoes are best for Mashed Potatoes?
I love using either a Yukon Gold or a Russet Potato. I find these to be a bit creamier than others, but red potatoes or yellow potatoes are delicious too.
Can you make the mashed potatoes and prep the ingredients ahead of time?
Yes! You can make my Baked Mashed Potato Recipe a couple days ahead and keep in the fridge in an airtight container. Remove a couple hours before baking to get potatoes to room temperature. Or place in the crockpot on low until warmed through.
How do you keep the potatoes warm during serving?
I love to use a Crockpot for the Mashed Potatoes and keep them warm throughout serving. Be sure to keep the setting on warm so they don’t dry out.
A Mashed Potato Bar is a perfect way to take the popular side dish and make it even more delicious and fun. Offer guests a variety of toppings to make their own version of the perfect mashed potato. From the usual bacon, cheese, chives or Hiland Dairy Sour Cream to other fun options like fried chicken, onions or peas.
Baked Mashed Potatoes
5 lbs Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes
1 1/2 sticks Hiland Salted Butter, plus a little more for topping before baking
1 block (8 ounces) Hiland Dairy Cream Cheese
1/2 cup Hiland Dairy Half and Half
1–2 teaspoons Lawry seasoning salt
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
Mashed Potato Bar Topping Ideas
Hiland Dairy Sour Cream
Shredded Cheese – Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack
Melted Cheese Sauce
Red Onions
Caramelized Onions
Chives
Cooked Broccoli
Cooked Cauliflower
Chicken Strip Pieces
Chili
Bacon or Bacon Bits
Ham cubes
Pulled Pork
Sausage
Ground Beef
Gravy
Tomatoes
Corn
Peas
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Peel the potatoes and cut into fourths. Place the potatoes in a large pot and fill with water to just cover them. Bring to a boil and cook for about 25 minutes or until tender with a fork.
Drain water from the potatoes, dry off the pot and then return the potatoes to the pot. Turn the burner to low and mash the potatoes with a masher until smooth.
Add the butter, cream cheese, half and half, Lawry’s and salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Taste test and add more salt and pepper if needed.
Scoop the mashed into a large casserole dish. Place dollops of butter on top of the potatoes. Bake for about 10 minutes until butter is melted and potatoes are warm again.
Set up your Mashed Potato Bar with all the little bowls of toppings for your guests to choose from. Place the mashed potatoes in a crock pot to keep them warm throughout serving. Enjoy!
*Place Mashed Potatoes into a Crockpot to keep warm during serving
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