Duchess Potatoes

Never have I ever seen potatoes so incredibly glamorous!

The first time my fork slid through a Duchess potato it was met with a crispy exterior and then a surprisingly soft and pillowy inside.

But the awe didn’t stop there. The flavor was rich, decadent, and even better than the BEST mashed potatoes I’d ever had.

With the increase in fascination, I soon set out to master the art of the Pommes Duchesse.

Ingredients

For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, you can see the recipe card below.

• Potatoes. Yukon gold are a must for their waxy texture. You can also choose red potatoes as they are another waxy potato variety. Avoid using russet since they will not have the same consistency.
• Milk. Much like mashed potatoes, you’ll need a bit of milk to make it creamy. Regular milk, or even half and half work well. If you are dairy-free, unsweetened oat and cashew milk both are both great options.
• Butter. Salted butter was tested in this recipe, but unsalted can be swapped out. Butter has the best taste but oil will work if you are dairy-free.
• Eggs. This is the secret ingredient to ensure they hold their shape and also gives them tons of flavor. You need 2 yolks and 1 whole egg.
• Seasonings. Salt and black pepper of course, but also a touch of garlic powder and a pinch of nutmeg. You can substitute regular minced garlic or even roasted garlic if preferred.

How to Make Duchess Potatoes

See the recipe card below for the full instructions, ingredient amounts, and a printable recipe.

• Peel and cube the potatoes. Remove the skin with a vegetable peeler and cut out any remaining eyes. Slice each potato in half and then into quarters. While some people like some or all of the skins in their mashed potatoes, you don’t want them in this recipe. They won’t pipe evenly or as beautifully.
• Boil the potatoes. Add the cut pieces to a large pot, then cover with 1-inch of cold water and toss in a pinch or two of salt. Bring the pot to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes, or until they pierce easily with a fork. Transfer the boiled potatoes to a colander and rinse under cold running water until they are cool to the touch.

• Rice the potatoes. For the best texture use a potato ricer to break up the chunks into a large mixing bowl. You can also do this with a fork, fine cheese grater, potato masher, pastry cutter, or even a food processor, but don’t over or underwork the potatoes so you’ll get the best consistency for piping those decorative swirls.
• Season the potatoes. Once they are riced, add 4 tablespoons of the melted butter along with milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and nutmeg. Mix until everything is well combined. Whisk the egg yolks and the whole egg in a small bowl and then add to the mashed potatoes. Stir with a rubber spatula until well incorporated.

• Pipe the potatoes. Fit a large piping bag with a 1M tip and a coupler. Don’t choose a small tip or you’ll have a really hard time getting the mixture through. Pipe the potatoes onto a large baking tray lined with parchment paper. Leave about ½-inch of space between each one. You should end up with 12 that are roughly 2 ½-inches in width.
• Brush and bake in the oven. Lightly coat the shapes with the remaining tablespoon of butter, being careful not to disrupt the edges. Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn golden brown. The baking time will vary based on how big the piped potatoes are. You want crispy edges that are not burned.

FAQs

Other Holiday Side Dishes

When the holiday season rolls around, good food is always on the menu. Be sure to try these easy and flavorful side dish recipes this year.

Green Bean Casserole from Scratch and Sweet Potato Casserole.

Of course, you have to have Sausage Stuffing, Wild Rice Stuffing with Cranberries, or Cajun Cornbread Dressing.

And don’t forget the Cranberry Orange Sauce or Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish.

More Potato Recipes

Whether you’re making a weeknight dinner, or entertaining for the holidays or a special occasion, these potato side dishes have you covered!

Homemade Scalloped Potatoes, Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans, and Smashed Potatoes with Garlic are so full of flavor.

Loaded Hasselback Potatoes Recipe, Loaded Bacon Mashed Potatoes, and Garlic Parmesan Fries are super impressive.

Who doesn’t love some Parmesan Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes or Instant Pot Mashed Red Potatoes?