Crispy Potato Smiley

Crispy potato smileys are a childhood classic. I remember eating them in my school cafeteria, and it was so crispy and cute! They are made from mashed potatoes, so the inside is super creamy. Try this crispy potato smiley recipe if you’re craving a nostalgic and delicious appetizer!

Crispy Potato Smiley Ingredients

• 3 medium potatoes
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp onion powder or garlic powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup cornstarch

Instructions

Peel and chop the potatoes into chunks.
Boil in salted water until fork-tender (about 10–15 minutes).
Drain and let cool slightly.
Mash the potatoes until smooth.

Add salt, spices, and cornstarch. Mix well.

Knead into a soft dough and shape into a ball.

Roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness.

Use a round mold (2–2.5 inches wide) to cut circles.

Use a straw to poke out the eyes and the tip of a spoon to carve a smile.

Fry at 350°F for 2–3 minutes, or until golden and crispy.

Transfer to a rack or paper towel to drain excess oil.

Crispy Potato Smileys Tip

• Oil at 350°F is the ideal temperature if you want super crispy smileys.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan — the smileys can stick together while frying.
• If the dough feels too sticky, add a bit more cornstarch to firm it up.
• Mash the potatoes well — lumps can cause the smileys to fall apart.
• If you see cracks in the smileys, gently smooth them out with your fingers.

Storage

• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. Air fry the potato smileys to restore their crispiness.
• You can freeze them for up to a month. Let the smileys cool down completely before storing them in an airtight container or ziplock bag. Reheat frozen smileys in the air fryer when ready to eat.

If you enjoyed this crispy potato smiley recipe, you might also enjoy this crispy potato pillow recipe.