Crispy Homemade Potato Smileys
These homemade potato smileys have a crisp, golden exterior with a soft and fluffy potato center. Their playful shape makes them a fun snack for kids, while the savory seasoning makes them just as tempting for adults.
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- potato masher
- Rolling Pin
- round cookie cutter
- drinking straw
- spoon
- cutting board
- deep frying pan or deep fryer
- slotted spoon
- paper towels
Ingredients
- 4 medium potatoes boiled and peeled
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 6 tablespoons fine breadcrumbs plus additional breadcrumbs if needed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder optional
- Cooking oil for deep frying
Instructions
- Place the peeled, cooked potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Mash thoroughly until smooth and free from noticeable lumps.
- Add the cornstarch, breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, and chili powder. Work everything together until you have a soft dough that holds its shape without sticking excessively to your hands. Add a small amount of extra breadcrumbs if the mixture feels too wet.
- Cover the potato mixture or place it in a sealed container. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to make the dough firmer and easier to shape.
- Lightly grease your hands and work surface. Roll or gently press the chilled potato mixture to approximately ½ centimeter thick.
- Cut the flattened dough into circles using a round cookie cutter. Gather any leftover scraps, reshape them, and continue cutting until the dough is used.
- Lightly coat the end of a drinking straw with oil, then press it through each potato circle twice to form the eyes.
- Create the smiling mouth by carefully pressing the curved edge of a spoon into each circle.
- Heat enough cooking oil for frying in a deep pan over medium heat.
- Carefully lower a few potato smileys into the hot oil without overcrowding the pan. Fry for approximately 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until crisp and evenly golden.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
- Serve while warm and crispy with ketchup, garlic dip, spicy mayonnaise, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Make sure the potatoes are mashed very smoothly so the smileys are easier to shape and do not develop cracks.
- If the potato mixture remains sticky after chilling, gradually work in a little more breadcrumbs rather than adding a large amount at once.
- Paprika can replace the chili powder for a milder flavor, or the spice can be omitted when preparing these for children.
- Chilling is important because it firms the potato mixture and helps the smiley faces hold their shape during frying.
- Avoid overcrowding the frying pan, as this can lower the oil temperature and result in less crispy smileys.
- For an alternative to deep frying, cook the smileys in an air fryer at 390°F (200°C) for approximately 10 to 12 minutes, turning them halfway through.