Let me tell you, Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe is one of those delightful surprises that you might not expect but quickly fall in love with. Imagine the salty crunch of potato chips mingling with sweet buttery cookie dough—it’s a flavor combo that’s truly magical. I first discovered this recipe at a family gathering, and it instantly became a staple because it’s so comfortingly nostalgic yet unique.
These cookies work perfectly when you want to impress friends with something a little different or when you crave a sweet treat with a savory twist. Plus, they’re surprisingly simple to pull off, which makes Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe a great choice whether you’re baking on a weekend afternoon or preparing a last-minute dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unique Flavor Twist: The salty potato chips add a subtle crunch and savory depth to the classic cookie.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll have these cookies ready in no time.
- Perfect Crowd-Pleaser: Friends and family go crazy for these unexpected cookies at gatherings and holidays.
- Great Texture: Crispy edges with a soft center give these cookies an irresistible bite every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe strikes a beautiful balance between salty and sweet, thanks in part to the humble potato chip. Each ingredient is simple but essential to getting that perfect cookie texture and taste.
- Potato chips: Lay’s Classic chips work best since they’re crispy and not too strongly flavored, but use your favorite crunchy chips.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter makes creaming easy and ensures a tender cookie crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that delightful cookie crunch.
- Egg yolk: Adds richness and helps bind everything together perfectly.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the cookie’s flavor with a cozy, warm note.
- All-purpose flour: The base for the cookie structure; measure carefully for the best texture.
Variations
I love how flexible Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe can be—you can easily tweak it to suit your taste or dietary needs. Personally, I’ve played around with a few twists and found some are real winners!
- Try different chip flavors: Using barbecue or sour cream & onion chips changes the cookie’s personality in such a fun way—you might already have a favorite waiting to be discovered!
- Add chocolate chips: For a decadent touch, toss in some semi-sweet chocolate chips; it’s a crowd-pleaser that my kids beg for every time.
- Make it gluten-free: Swapping the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend works well, just make sure it’s a 1-to-1 substitute to keep the texture right.
How to Make Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Crush the Potato Chips to Perfection
First things first, grab about 2 cups of your favorite potato chips and toss them into a sturdy Ziploc bag. Now, here’s a little trick I use—rather than with a rolling pin, I crush them gently with my hands until they’re flaky but not powdery. You want some texture, so avoid smashing them into crumbs.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy
Using either a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat 2 sticks of softened unsalted butter with 1 cup of granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes on medium speed. Don’t rush this part, as it creates the ideal texture for your cookies.
Step 3: Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla
Next, add one egg yolk and a tablespoon of vanilla extract to the batter. Mix on medium speed until everything is fully combined and glossy, making sure there are no streaks of egg or vanilla.
Step 4: Incorporate Flour and Potato Chips
Slowly add 2 cups of all-purpose flour in small batches, mixing well after each addition. Once the flour is fully incorporated, fold in 1 cup of the crushed potato chips gently—you want them evenly spread without breaking down the chips too much. Cover the dough and chill it in the fridge for 1 hour. This rest time helps the dough firm up and makes shaping easier.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden at the Edges
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper—no grease needed! Form the dough into 1-inch balls and place them a couple of inches apart on the sheets. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, watching closely for the edges to turn a gentle golden color. The cookies will look pale and soft but trust me, they’ll firm up as they cool, so resist the urge to overbake.
Step 6: Cool and Store
Allow your cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before digging in. They develop their signature texture as they rest. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh for about 5 days—if they last that long!
Pro Tips for Making Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Butter: It creams better, giving your cookies a lighter texture and even baking.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the flour, mix just until combined to avoid dense cookies.
- Chill the Dough: I learned this the hard way—the chilling step helps the cookies keep their shape and enhances flavor.
- Watch the Bake Time: Remove cookies while edges are golden but centers still soft to get that perfect chewiness after cooling.
How to Serve Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I like to serve these cookies plain because the crunchy chips speak for themselves, but sometimes I sprinkle a light dusting of flaky sea salt on top before baking to amplify the salty-sweet vibe—it’s a small touch that makes a big impression.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or tea for an ideal snack break. They’re also fantastic alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want to get a little fancy.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, I love arranging these cookies on a rustic wooden board surrounded by small bowls of chips and chocolate chunks for a build-your-own-cookie bar vibe. It’s fun, interactive, and always a conversation starter!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, usually on my countertop where they stay fresh and crunchy for up to five days. I learned that keeping them sealed tightly is key to preserving that chip crunch.
Freezing
If I want to save some for later, I freeze the unbaked dough balls on a sheet tray first, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When I’m ready, I just bake them straight from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time—super convenient!
Reheating
To refresh leftover cookies, I pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes; this revives that fresh-baked crunch without drying them out, and honestly, they taste just like new.
FAQs
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Can I use flavored potato chips in Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! Flavored chips like barbecue or sour cream and onion add an exciting twist. Just be mindful of their intensity as stronger flavors can overpower the cookie dough’s sweetness.
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Can I make these cookies vegan or dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute dairy butter with plant-based butter alternatives and use a flax or chia egg in place of the egg yolk. However, this might slightly change the texture, so try a small batch first.
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Why do we chill the dough before baking?
Chilling firms the dough, which helps the cookies keep their shape and results in a better texture. It also lets the flavors meld together for a richer taste, which I noticed really elevates this recipe.
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How long do Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh and crisp for about five days. Beyond that, they may start to lose their signature crunch.
Final Thoughts
Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it brings together comfort and surprise with every bite. I love sharing these with friends who think I’m baking classic cookies, only to see their delight when that salty chip crunch hits their palate. If you’re looking for a cookie that’s easy, delicious, and a little bit nostalgic, I highly recommend giving this recipe a try—you won’t regret it!
PrintMom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: about 25 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies combine the crunchy, salty goodness of Lay’s Classic potato chips with a rich, buttery cookie base. These uniquely textured cookies are light, flaky, and slightly golden around the edges, delivering a delightful balance of sweet and salty flavors perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 cups potato chips (preferably Lay’s Classic), crushed
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Crush Potato Chips: Place the potato chips in a Ziploc bag and crush them by hand until they break down into small, flaky pieces. Set aside this crushed potato chips mixture for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process ensures a smooth, airy cookie texture.
- Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract on medium speed until well incorporated to add richness and aroma to the dough.
- Incorporate Flour and Chips: Gradually add the all-purpose flour in small portions, mixing well after each addition to avoid lumps. Then, fold in one cup of the crushed potato chips gently until evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the prepared dough and refrigerate it for 1 hour. Chilling solidifies the ingredients, making the dough easier to shape and enhancing the final cookie texture.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper without greasing them, which helps prevent spreading and sticking.
- Form and Bake Cookies: Shape the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and arrange them spaced apart on the ungreased parchment-lined sheets. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the edges turn golden, but the centers remain light and soft.
- Cool and Store: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack to firm up properly. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and crunch.
Notes
- Use Lay’s Classic potato chips for the best flavor and texture.
- Do not grease the baking sheets; parchment paper alone is sufficient.
- Cookies will look soft when removed from oven but will harden as they cool.
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading and improve texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them crunchy for days.
- For a variation, try different flavored potato chips to add unique twists.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 28g)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg