Mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food that can be kept warm and ready to serve in a crock pot. However, one common issue is that the potatoes can dry out over time in the slow cooker. Thankfully, there are some simple tricks to keep your mashed potatoes moist and creamy for hours.
Use Enough Liquid
The first key is to make sure your mashed potatoes have enough moisture from the start. When mashing your potatoes, use hot milk, cream, or broth instead of just butter. The extra liquid will help the potatoes retain moisture as they sit in the crock pot. Aim for a looser, creamier mashed potato consistency before putting them in the slow cooker.
You can also place the crock pot liner or cooking vessel that you’ll cook the mashed potatoes in into the refrigerator while you prepare the potatoes. Allowing the vessel to pre-chill will help the potatoes retain heat better once they go into the slow cooker.
Cover with Plastic Wrap or Lid
Exposure to air is one of the biggest reasons mashed potatoes dry out in a crock pot. You’ll want to prevent the surface of the potatoes from being exposed to air as much as possible.
Place a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the mashed potatoes, pressing it down to remove any air pockets. Then put the lid on top. The plastic wrap creates a protective barrier against the air.
If you don’t have plastic wrap, make sure the crock pot is fully turned on and preheated before adding the potato mixture. Put the lid on right away to trap in steam and moisture.
Use a Bain Marie
A bain marie, or hot water bath, is an easy technique that can help prevent mashed potatoes from drying out in the crock pot. Here’s how it works:
Place your vessel of mashed potatoes into your slow cooker crock. Fill the outer pot with simmering water about 1 inch up the sides of the inner vessel. The hot water creates a gentle “buffer” between the direct heat of the crock and your potatoes.
The bain marie allows the potatoes to cook slowly and gently, preventing the edges and surface from over-cooking and drying out. Just monitor the water level occasionally and add more hot water as needed.
Stir Periodically
Stirring the mashed potatoes helps distribute the moisture evenly throughout. Give the potatoes a gentle stir every 30 minutes or so. This will prevent any drier upper layers from forming on top while the bottom remains moist.
When stirring, be very gentle to keep from accidentally deflating the potatoes. Use a rubber spatula and fold the potatoes over rather than directly stirring to retain their fluffiness.
Finish with Extra Liquid
Right before serving, you can finish off your crock pot mashed potatoes with a splash of extra dairy or liquid. Milk, cream, broth, or even gravy can moisten up the potatoes after hours in the slow cooker.
Give the potatoes a final stir, adding liquid a bit at a time until your desired creamy consistency is reached. This gives them a fresh, silky texture.
Add Softening Ingredients
Certain ingredients can help keep mashed potatoes soft and moist in the crock pot. Mix in a couple spoonfuls of cream cheese, sour cream, or full-fat Greek yogurt after mashing the potatoes.
The extra fat and moisture in these dairy products prevents the potatoes from drying out. Soft cooked veggies like chopped spinach or roasted garlic can also add moisture.
Use a Potato Ricer
Using a potato ricer rather than just mashing with a masher or fork can lead to fluffier, more evenly moist crock pot potatoes. A ricer presses the potatoes through small holes, removing any lumps.
The riced potatoes create a creamier consistency that retains moisture better. Rice the potatoes after cooking and before mixing in dairy and other ingredients.
Cook at Low Heat
Be sure to cook your crock pot mashed potatoes at a low temperature setting. High heat can cause the potatoes around the edges to overcook and dry out.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours, checking periodically. The low gentle heat allows the potatoes to warm through without burning.
If your recipe calls for cooking at high heat, place the crock into the cooker after it has already preheated at low. This prevents overly hot direct heat right away.
Use the Right Potatoes
The variety of potatoes you use can affect the moisture content of your finished mashed potatoes. Starchy russet potatoes and Yukon golds tend to get fluffier and absorb butter or milk well.
Waxy potato varieties like red potatoes hold their shape more when cooked and mashed. Try mixing half starchy and half waxy potatoes for the creamiest, most moisturized crock pot mashed potatoes.
Let Them Rest
After cooking on low for several hours, take the crock insert out of the slow cooker before serving. Let the mashed potatoes rest for 5-10 minutes with the lid off.
This allows excess moisture from condensation to evaporate so it doesn’t make the potatoes watery. The short rest also helps them thicken up to the perfect creamy consistency.
Add a Topping
A browned, crispy topping can help lock in moisture to the mashed potatoes cooked underneath. Try topping your crock pot potatoes with:
- Crumbled bacon or cooked sausage
- Panko breadcrumbs toasted in butter
- Shredded cheese like cheddar, parmesan, or gruyère
- Chopped roasted broccoli or brussels sprouts
The topping will shield the surface of the potatoes from drying out. Just be sure to only top right before serving, not during cooking.
Cook Food Underneath
Placing mashed potatoes in a crock pot on top of other food can help lock in moisture. Try spooning potatoes over:
- Pork chops or chicken
- Chili or baked beans
- Vegetables like squash, greens, or potatoes
- Prepared stuffing or dressing
The steam from the food underneath will help keep the mashed potatoes moist. Just fold together gently before serving.
Make Ahead
For convenience, you can prepare mashed potatoes 1-2 days in advance before cooking in the crock pot. Here’s how:
- Cook, drain, and mash potatoes as usual.
- Transfer mashed potatoes to a greased crock.
- Cool potatoes completely, then refrigerate overnight.
- When ready to use, cook on low 4-6 hours until heated through.
The cool temperature helps potatoes retain moisture for reheating later on. Let them come completely to room temp before refrigerating.
Adjust Consistency Later
If your mashed potatoes end up drier than desired after cooking in the crock pot, you can easily adjust the consistency right before serving.
Use hot milk, broth, cream, or gravy to thin the potatoes to your ideal creamy texture. Start with 2-3 tablespoons liquid per cup of potatoes. Gently fold to incorporate.
For smoother potatoes, pass them through a food mill or potato ricer again after cooking. This creates a silky texture that incorporates added liquid evenly.
Conclusion
With a few simple tricks, you can keep mashed potatoes moist and flavorful for hours in the slow cooker. Be sure to start with enough liquid, use protective covering, and stir gently during cooking. Finishing them with extra dairy or gravy ensures creamy results. Follow these tips for tender, creamy crock pot mashed potatoes every time.