Mashed Potato Toppings & Bar (+ Mashtini)

A mashed potato bar (and a mashtini) is the perfect hearty meal for a large crowd. It's easy to make and everyone loves creamy mashed potatoes combined with their favorite toppings. Plus the mashtinis can be served for a special occasion because they look extra special.

What makes them so special

They are so creamy: I love making my gluten-free mashed potatoes for this recipe because they're perfectly creamy and perfectly seasoned. Mashed potatoes are a classic during Thanksgiving and Christmas but also work for graduation parties, birthdays, NYE and potlucks.

Two recipes in one: There's no better way to wash down the ultimate comfort food than with a mocktail. My non-alcoholic vodka and dirty martini compliment mashed potatoes (because they use potato water!) so well.

You can prep ahead of time: This is one of my favorite things about a mashed potato bar because you don't need to do all the preparation in one day. You can cut and prep the toppings before and even make the potatoes ahead of time as well. In a oven at 350 degrees adda bit of extra milk and butter. This makes them extra creamy so they taste fresh. The microwave will also work.

Let's talk toppings!

You can honestly put anything and everything on top of mashed potatoes but here are a few of my favorite potato toppings along with some family favorites.

Homemade chili

Hot homemade chili topped on mashed potatoes will give you all the warm fuzzy feelings of comfort food.

Crumbled bacon

Make your own crispy bacon (or our easy instant pot bacon) or use bacon bits on your mashed potatoes. Turkey bacon or another bacon alternative will also work.

Chopped chives

You need the light onion flavor that chopped chives have. Green onions will also work in the place of chives.

Shredded cheese

I like using sharp cheddar cheese because it has the most flavor but you can use your favorite shredded cheese. My mom would say that the only way to go is with pepper jack.

Olives

I'm personally more of a green olives fan but you can use black olives depending on your preference.

Gluten-free crispy onions

I love the caramelized onions on this gluten-free green bean casserole. You can even top your mashed potatoes with a piece of casserole.

Sour cream

Sour cream is a staple on a mashed potato bar. It cleanses the palate while allowing other flavors to come together.

Corn

In my opinion, the slightly crunchy texture of sweet corn is a need on mashed potatoes!

Peas

Frozen peas are an easy topping that adds to the aesthetic of a potato bar. Plus, it's always a great idea to eat more vegetables.

Miscellaneous toppings

Brown sugar, red onions, potato chips, bbq sauce, plain greek yogurt, unsalted butter, as well as Italian seasoning are non as common toppings but still make great additions to mashed potatoes.

How to prepare a mashed potato bar

There is no right or wrong way to serve a mashed potato bar but here are some guidelines I like to follow...

Step 1: Assemble toppings in appropriate dishes and set out on counter in a buffet line.

Step 2: Add serving spoons and forks to topping dishes.

Step 3: Serve your mashed potatoes in a martini glasses for the ultimate mashtini (we created that back in 2016!)

This post was originally published July 28, 2016 and has been updated in August 2022 with new photos and better tips and tricks then again in 2026. Here is the original photo...