Let me tell you about a cookie recipe that’s a delightful surprise every time I make it—Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies balance sweet with a hint of salty crunch, thanks to those crushed potato chips folded right into the dough. It’s one of those unique homemade treats that always makes my kitchen smell incredible and leaves my family reaching for seconds.
What makes Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe so special is how easy it is to throw together with pantry staples but yields an impressive cookie that works perfectly for afternoon snacks, potlucks, or comforting weekend baking sessions. Once you try it, you’ll notice that salty-sweet combo that just hits the spot and makes these cookies a crowd favorite—you won’t be able to stop at just one!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unique Flavor Combination: The salty crunch of potato chips combined with classic cookie sweetness creates an irresistible taste.
- Simple Ingredients: Using pantry staples makes this recipe easy to prepare anytime.
- Perfect Snack or Dessert: Works great for lunchtime treats, gathering goodies, or just a cozy bake at home.
- Crowd-Pleaser: My family and friends always go crazy for these cookies, and I bet yours will too!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together beautifully to give you that classic cookie structure with a fun twist of salty crunch. Make sure to choose your favorite brand of potato chips because that subtle flavor really shines through!
- Potato chips: I prefer classic Lay’s for their crisp texture and balanced saltiness, but you can experiment with your favorite kind.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter is key for easy creaming—don’t soften it too much or the dough gets too loose.
- Granulated sugar: Adds the perfect sweetness that counterbalances the salt.
- Egg yolk: It adds richness and helps bind the cookie dough beautifully.
- Vanilla extract: Always use real vanilla; it enhances the cookie’s flavor beyond just sweetness.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the dough, providing structure and chew.
Variations
I love customizing Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe to suit different moods or use whatever I have on hand. Don’t hesitate to get creative—the recipe is forgiving and welcomes little twists.
- Swap the potato chips: I sometimes try sour cream and onion chips for a tangy spin that my family really enjoys.
- Chocolate chip combo: Adding a handful of chocolate chips creates a salty-sweet combo that’s dreamy.
- Nutty addition: Toasted pecans or walnuts bring extra texture and richness to the cookies.
- Reduced sugar version: Lower the sugar slightly if you want a less sweet treat, the chips add plenty of flavor.
How to Make Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Crush the Potato Chips Gently
Start by tossing your potato chips into a sturdy Ziploc bag and gently crushing them with your hands until they break into small, flaky pieces. I like to avoid pulverizing them into dust—those little chip chunks give the cookies their signature crunch. Set these aside for now while you work on the dough.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar, Then Mix in Wet Ingredients
Using a stand or hand mixer, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes. Once creamed, add the egg yolk and vanilla extract and continue beating until fully incorporated. The batter should be smooth and slightly pale.
Step 3: Blend in Flour and Fold in Crushed Chips
Slowly add your all-purpose flour in small batches to the wet mixture, mixing well each time to ensure no flour pockets remain. When the dough is coming together, gently fold in 1 cup of the crushed potato chips—be careful not to overmix here or you’ll lose that lovely chip texture. Cover the dough and pop it into the refrigerator to chill for one hour; this step really helps the dough firm up and improves the cookie texture.
Step 4: Shape and Bake Your Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper—no need to grease them. Scoop out the dough and roll into 1-inch balls, then space them comfortably on the sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll notice the edges start to turn a gentle golden brown while the centers remain soft and pale, which is perfect. Let the cookies cool completely—they firm up nicely as they rest, so resist the urge to dig in too early!
Step 5: Enjoy and Store Properly
Once fully cooled, these cookies are ready to enjoy with your favorite cup of tea or coffee. If you have leftovers (unlikely!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature—they’ll stay fresh for about five days.
Pro Tips for Making Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe
- Don’t Over-Crush the Chips: Leaving some chunkiness preserves the delightful crunch and surprise texture.
- Chill That Dough: One hour in the fridge makes shaping much easier and prevents spreading during baking.
- Use Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking without adding extra fat or grease, yielding perfect bottoms.
- Watch Baking Time Closely: Take cookies out a little early to keep centers soft—they’ll firm up as they cool.
How to Serve Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Whenever I serve these cookies, I love sprinkling a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top right after baking—it heightens the salty-sweet experience just wonderfully. A small dusting of powdered sugar also lends a pretty, delicate finish if you’re bringing them to a gathering.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair perfectly with a simple cup of black coffee or a creamy glass of milk—great companions that balance the salty crunch and sweetness. I’ve also enjoyed them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I arrange these potato chip cookies on a wooden board with clusters of fresh berries and small bowls of dipping sauces like caramel or chocolate. It creates a fun interactive dessert spread that guests love to pick from—and honestly, it looks gorgeous too.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies keep best stored in an airtight container at room temperature—this helps maintain that balance of crisp edges and soft centers without losing moisture or flavor. I’ve found that storing them away from strong-smelling foods is key, as they can subtly absorb odors.
Freezing
If you want to freeze these cookies, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. They freeze well up to 3 months, and I’ve had great success thawing them at room temperature before serving without any loss in texture.
Reheating
When reheating leftover cookies, I pop them in the oven at 300°F for just 5 minutes to revive that fresh-baked warmth and slight crispness. Avoid microwaving—they tend to get too soft or soggy that way. This quick trick always brings them back to life beautifully.
FAQs
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Can I use flavored potato chips for Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! While the classic Lay’s are my go-to, you can experiment with flavored chips like sour cream & onion or barbeque for a unique twist. Just keep in mind flavors and seasoning vary, so taste your chips first to ensure they complement the cookie flavors well.
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How do I keep the cookies from spreading too much during baking?
The key is chilling your dough for at least one hour before baking and baking on parchment paper without oil or greasing the sheet. Also, use chilled dough balls rather than room temperature dough to maintain shape as they bake.
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Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Try substituting the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Just check your flour blend contains xanthan gum or a binding agent to mimic the structure that gluten provides, ensuring your cookies hold together well.
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What’s the best way to crush the potato chips?
I find crushing them by hand inside a sealed Ziploc bag gives the best control—you want small flakes, not powder. Avoid crushing them too finely to preserve some crunch and texture inside the cookie.
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How long will these cookies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies stay fresh for up to five days. Beyond that, they may start to lose their crispness, but can be refreshed with a quick warm-up in the oven.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe holds a very special place in my heart—it’s one of those recipes that feels both nostalgic and exciting each time I bake it. I love sharing these cookies with friends and family because the unique potato chip twist always sparks conversations and smiles. If you’re looking to add a fun, delicious cookie to your baking lineup, I can’t recommend this one enough—give it a try, and I’m pretty sure you’ll be making them again and again, just like I do!
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 are a delightful twist on traditional cookies, incorporating the salty crunch of crushed potato chips into a buttery, sweet cookie dough. These cookies offer a unique balance of flavors and textures, perfect for snack time or sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 cups potato chips (preferably Lay’s Classic)
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Crush the potato chips: Place the potato chips into a Ziploc bag and crush them gently by hand until they break into small, flaky pieces. Set aside this crushed mixture for later use.
- Cream butter and sugar, then mix dough: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until fully combined. Gradually add the flour in small amounts, mixing well after each addition. Finally, fold in 1 cup of the crushed potato chips gently until evenly incorporated. Cover the dough and refrigerate it for 1 hour to chill and firm up.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper, ensuring they are not greased or oiled.
- Shape and bake cookies: Form the chilled dough into 1-inch diameter balls and place them spaced apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Bake the cookies for 15 to 20 minutes until the edges start to turn golden. The cookies will appear light in color and soft when removed but will firm up as they cool.
- Cool and store: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before serving. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- For best flavor and texture, use classic salted potato chips such as Lay’s Classic.
- Do not grease the baking sheets as this will affect the texture of the cookies.
- Chilling the dough is crucial to prevent spreading while baking and to develop the best flavors.
- These cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Handle the crushed potato chips gently to retain some flakiness which adds to the cookie’s unique texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg