Can you freeze mashed potatoes?

What freezing does to mashed potatoes

When a potato is frozen, the water in the potato separates from the starch, causing the reheated potato dish to be watery. Prepared cooked potatoes also tend to lose flavor rapidly when frozen.

How to freeze it

1. Prepare mashed potatoes using your favorite recipe, mashing or pressing them through a ricer so they are not chunky.
2. Quickly cool the potatoes.
3. Form them into ½-inch-thick (13 mm) patties, or spoon chilled mashed potatoes into a plastic freezer bag and press it flat to force the air from the bag.
4. Freeze the patties on a cookie sheet before packing them into containers or freezer bags, or place the filled bags on a tray and freeze until solid.
5. Store with a double layer of freezer paper or plastic wrap between patties, or stack the bags to save space in the freezer.

Thawing and using it

Thaw just enough to slip the potatoes into the top of a double boiler and heat over boiling water to 165°F (73°C) or higher, or microwave them in 30-second to 1½-minute increments in a covered container, stirring at the end of each time segment.

Depends on the form

• Adding butter, cream, sour cream, or cream cheese provides fat that helps the frozen mashed potatoes maintain their texture.
• Patties can be fried in butter until brown or brushed with melted fat and broiled.
• Larger portions may be reheated in an oven at 350°F (177°C) to an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C).