How to Reheat Mashed Potatoes (3 Easy Ways)

To reheat mashed potatoes, there are three simple methods that will heat the potatoes evenly.

You can reheat them on the stove, in the oven, or in the microwave.

Whether you prefer the stovetop, oven, or microwave method, I’ve got you covered. You’ll also learn some handy tips to make sure your creamy fries don’t dry out during reheating.

Get ready to savor every spoonful of this comfort food favorite!

1. How to Reheat Mashed Potatoes on the Stove

To reheat mashed potatoes on the stove, follow a few easy steps.

1. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a pot or skillet.
2. Add your choice of milk, heavy cream, or butter to moisten them.
3. Set the heat to low.
4. Heat the potatoes for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. (A turn or two per minute should keep them from sticking.)
5. Remove them from the stove once they have heated through.

That’s all it takes to get fluffy, moist, stovetop-reheated mashed potatoes. This method couldn’t be easier.

2. How to reheat mashed potatoes in the oven

Reheating potatoes in the oven takes longer. However, this is the best way to go if you want them as fresh as possible.

These are the steps to follow:

1. Remove the potatoes from the refrigerator and let them rest for 15-20 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. (Do this while the potatoes are warming to room temperature.)
3. Transfer the potatoes to an oven-safe dish.
4. Add your choice of milk, heavy cream, or butter to moisten them.
5. Cover the dish with its lid or aluminum foil.
6. Bake the potatoes for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.
7. Remove the potatoes from the oven once they have heated through.
8. Stir them again to fluff them up and enjoy!

3. How to reheat mashed potatoes in the microwave

If you want a faster method of reheating potatoes, opt for your microwave. That is how:

1. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a microwave-safe bowl. (Do not use plastic.)
2. Add your choice of milk, heavy cream, or butter to moisten them.
3. Place a damp paper towel over the bowl.
4. Heat potatoes in 30 second intervals on high power.
5. Stir the potatoes after each 30 second interval.
6. Continue the heat and stir cycle until the potatoes are heated through.

Tips for reheating mashed potatoes without drying them out

Here are some tips to keep in mind when reheating your potatoes:

• Don’t forget the moisturizing supplement. Add butter, cream, or milk to keep them moist and fluffy.
• Let the potatoes warm up first. If you have time, bring the potatoes to room temperature before reheating. Taking them out of the cold a bit first makes them easier to reheat.
• Reheat smaller portions if necessary. You don’t have to reheat all the potatoes at once. If it’s easier to reheat smaller portions, do it that way.
• Keep it low and slow. Do not reheat potatoes too quickly or on high heat. The low and slow approach is the best. (The microwave is the exception to this rule. Use high heat for that method.)
• Stir often. No matter which method you use, don’t forget to stir. Stir the potatoes on the stove once or twice a minute. Stir potatoes in the oven every 5 minutes and microwave potatoes every 30 seconds.
• Do not stir too vigorously. Frequent stirring is recommended, but do not shake vigorously. Keep your stirring slow and gentle. Otherwise, your potatoes will come out rubbery.
• Add additional herbs and seasonings. Don’t be afraid to add a little garlic or even a little cheese before reheating the potatoes. A little extra flavor can help combat dryness or blandness when reheating.

Remember, the worst that can happen if you make a mistake is that you will have to throw the leftovers away. And that’s certainly not the end of the world.

So try reheating the potatoes next time you have some left over.

How long are leftover mashed potatoes good for?

If you store them correctly, you can usually keep mashed potatoes in the fridge for up to 5 days. Be sure to place them in an airtight container with the lid tightly sealed.

If the potatoes are dairy-free, they will keep for up to a week. If you added a lot of dairy while making them, they won’t last as long.

It really all depends on the ingredients you used when you first made them.

If you forgot to refrigerate your mashed potatoes, discard after a couple of hours. The dairy products they contain can spoil quickly and reheating them will not correct that problem.