A hearty Mashed Potato Bar is not only a fun option for feeding a crowd, it makes a great family dinner. Everyone loves creamy mashed potatoes with loads of tasty topping options!
The first time I ever saw a mashed potato bar was at a ladies church dinner a few years ago. It was so good that everyone at my table went back for seconds!
Since then, I’ve made it several times for my family, and it is always a hit. Being able to choose your own mashed potato toppings assures that everyone at the table will be happy with their meal, even the pickiest of eaters!
HOW TO SET UP A MASHED POTATO BAR
- First you need to make your mashed potatoes. I use my garlic mashed potato recipe, but you can use any recipe you like.
- Prep all of your topping ingredients and place them in individual bowls. Some toppings just need to be chopped, but others (like broccoli or cheese sauce) need to be cooked, so plan accordingly.
- To serve, set everything up in a buffet line with the potatoes at the front of the line. You can just use mashed potato bowls or plates for serving, but it’s extra fun to use sundae cups or other stemmed glasses!
- Let your guests (or family members) go down the line and customize their own mashed potato creations. Everyone will get exactly what they love!
How do you keep mashed potatoes warm for a party?
If you are serving a large crowd, you are going to want to use chafing dishes. For your family, or a small crowd, you can just keep your potatoes warm in a crock pot.
When I serve a crowd, I like to borrow a few crock pots. Don’t have access to multiple slow cookers? You can keep your potatoes warm in the oven or on a stovetop and refill your crock pot as needed.
And if you don’t have a crock pot, you can also use an Instant Pot or rice cooker set to “warm”.
If you’ve never experienced a potato bar, you may be thinking “what can you put on mashed potatoes besides gravy?” Well let me tell you, the options are limitless!
MASHED POTATO TOPPINGS
- Salted butter – let it soften to room temperature so it melts faster.
- Sour cream – full fat or light
- Salt and pepper
- Shredded cheese – we like cheddar, but any cheese works. You can even have a few options.
- Cheese sauce – If you want to go all out, whip up a batch of homemade cheese sauce.
- Steamed broccoli – We love this especially with creamy cheese sauce!
- Crumbled bacon – To save time, I like to use the pre cooked crumbled bacon bits from Costco and just crisp them up before serving.
- Sliced green onions – you can also use yellow or red onions, or chives.
- Diced ham, smoked sausage, pulled pork, or even breakfast sausage
- Cooked veggies – We’ve used cooked peas and corn, but any of your favorite vegetables will work.
- Chili – homemade is great, but canned chili is also just fine!
- Sliced olives – we like black olives, but you can use green.
- Fresh diced tomatoes – I like to use grape tomatoes or Roma tomatoes.
- Salsa or pico de gallo
- Diced green, red, or yellow peppers
- French fried onions – They add a tasty crunch!
- Mushrooms – either fresh or sauteed
- Diced avocados
- Sliced or diced boiled eggs
- Fresh basil – one of my favorites!
Get creative, you can use any toppings you think would be tasty. You can go as simple or as fancy with your mashed potato bar toppings as you like!
Can I make the mashed potatoes ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make them a day or two ahead of time and keep them in the refrigerator. To reheat, I like to simply place mine in a crock pot with a bit of extra milk. You can heat them on high or low, depending on how much time you have.
You can also reheat them in the oven. Again, you will need to add some extra milk and maybe butter. Cover them really well with foil and heat them at 350 degrees, stirring occasionally.
And of course the quickest way to reheat mashed potatoes is simply to use the microwave!
What is a Mashtini bar?
A mashtini bar is simply a mashed potato bar where the potatoes are served in martini glasses instead of bowls. Super simple, but looks extra fancy. It’s a perfect option for weddings or other special occasions!
I don’t have martini glasses, so I just used the only stemmed glassware I have. But even if you just serve mashed potato bowls, all your guest will be in heaven!
What goes well with a potato bar?
We think a potato bar is hearty enough on its own, but if you want to add more to your buffet, you can add sliced ham, roasted turkey or chicken, or even steak.
Fruit salad or green salad is also a great option. Or if you want to be really fun, serve a mashed sweet potato bar in addition to your savory potatoes. You can have toppings like cinnamon sugar, pineapple, marshmallows, crumble topping, toasted coconut, and maple syrup.
MORE RECIPES USING POTATOES:
- Mashed Potato Balls
- Chicken Mashed Potato Casserole
- Bacon Corn Chowder
- Chicken and Potatoes Recipe
- Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes
- Smoked Sausage and Potatoes
- Miracle Whip Potato Salad
- Shepherd’s Pie with Cheese
HOW TO MAKE A MASHED POTATO BAR
Ultimate Mashed Potato Bar
Ingredients
- 5 pounds russet potatoes peeled and cubed
- 4 garlic cloves peeled
- 6 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup butter melted
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
Topping suggestions:
- Butter
- Salt & pepper
- Sour Cream
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Cheese sauce
- Steamed broccoli
- Crumbled bacon
- Sliced green onions
- Diced ham smoked sausage, or pork sausage
- Corn peas, or other cooked veggies
- Chili
- Sliced olives
- Fresh tomatoes diced
- Salsa or pico de gallo
- French fried onions
- Mushrooms fresh or sauteed
- Diced avocados
- Sliced or chopped boiled eggs
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Place potatoes and peeled garlic in large pan; add water till it is about an inch above the potatoes. Add a tablespoon of salt.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium and simmer for about 15-20 minutes or till potatoes are fork tender.
- Drain potatoes and return to the pot. Mash them over low heat. Make sure the garlic cloves get completely mashed as well.
- Add milk, melted butter, and salt and pepper. Continue mashing until smooth and creamy, adding more milk if needed.
- Heat through and serve hot with all the toppings. (I like to transfer them to a slow cooker to keep them warm.
Nutrition
With some simple mashed potatoes and a variety of favorite toppings, you can make an amazing mashed potato bar that will have everyone wanting seconds!
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These mashed potato bowls were delicious! Thank you so much for sharing.
You are so welcome! Hope it becomes a favorite at your house!
I love a baked potato bar……. but I’d really, really LOVE a mashed potato bar!
Same here! I’m actually kind of kicking myself for not thinking of it sooner. So simple, but so darn yummy!
I’ve always wanted to do this at a wedding. the first time I saw it was on oprah, a super long time ago.