Home-cooked mashed potatoes are delicious on their own. What could make them even better?
KFC just added crunchy new Mashed Potato Pops to its menu — and it’s the comfort food of our dreams. Crispy on the outside and filled with a creamy filling of classic KFC potatoes, these golden-brown treats are unlike anything we’ve seen in America before. The brand tells Food & Wine that the newest menu item will be available at drive-thru pickup starting today.
Like all good things, they won’t be around forever — and only while supplies last, the brand confirms. But how did the chain find such a groundbreaking new dish? To develop this twist on a classic Southern dish, KFC says it looked to its international locations.
“We were inspired by a popular item on the Australian KFC menu called Mashies, but our new Mashed Potato Poppers are a sophisticated, modern take on our iconic mashed potatoes that pair perfectly with gravy or any dip on the menu,” a KFC spokesperson told Food & Wine.
For many KFC diners in Australia, “Mashies” are almost sacred. Sold in packs of 12, these limited-edition fried mashed potatoes disappeared for more than a decade, only to reappear in 2023. (If you’re not jealous yet, their KFC branches also have fried chicken nachos.) The love – and subsequent sadness – for the nostalgic yet elusive Mashies is undeniable.
In the US, hungry visitors can spend $7 on the Dunk It Bucket meal, the chain’s first new meal in 10 years. The limited-time meal includes Poppers, Original Recipe chicken tenders, fries and three dips. (You can choose from seven different dipping sauces, including KFC’s signature brown gravy.) Want to get a taste? You can order five poppers and gravy separately.
“Mashed potato popcorn is great for dipping,” a KFC spokesperson told Food & Wine. “They’re delicious with our warm gravy, tangy throwback sauce, ranch sauce and more — and there are plenty of sauces to choose from to suit personal preference.”
KFC isn’t the only chain to have a sauce menu. Menu developers at Taco Bell are clearly thinking about dippable snacks, especially with their newest steak and cheese wrap. Meanwhile, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is bringing its sauces to food shelves, and condiment giant Heinz is swapping out its regular offerings for a range of “global flavors.” Even though KFC is no longer headquartered in Kentucky, the chain is following food trends in its own uniquely mouthwatering way.
If jalapeno poppers are too spicy for you, this creamy version might be more your style.
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