Homemade Potato Smiley Fries

Homemade Smiley Potato Fries, or potato faces, are a tasty and fun side dish made with mashed boiled potatoes, breadcrumbs, cornstarch, grated Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.

Excellent both fried, as in the version proposed here, and baked, for a lighter variant, smiley fries will win over especially the little ones in the house who will be greedy for them.

To make them, you only need a few simple tools: a bowl, a potato masher, a cookie cutter, a rolling pin, a straw, and the handle of a spoon to draw the eyes and mouth of the "smiley faces."

Also excellent as an aperitif, potato smileys are perfect to accompany with a small bowl of ketchup or creamy mayonnaise.

What Are Homemade Potato Smiley Fries?

Smiley potato fries, also known as smiley face fries or smiley potatoes, are a modern processed potato product that became popular through the frozen food industry rather than traditional cuisine. They were developed in the late 20th century, when food manufacturers began creating fun, kid-friendly potato shapes to make mealtimes more appealing. The most famous version was introduced by Ore-Ida in the United States in the 1990s, transforming mashed potato into round, crispy bites stamped with a smiling face. Their playful appearance quickly made them a favorite in American households, school cafeterias, and family restaurants. Today, smiley fries remain a nostalgic comfort food, especially popular with children, while also reflecting the broader trend of turning familiar ingredients into convenient, fun-shaped frozen foods.

Homemade Potato Smiley Fries Variations

If you like, in addition to ground pepper, you can flavor the dough with spices and aromatic herbs of your choice, such as chopped thyme, paprika powder, turmeric, or chopped rosemary needles.

For a more flavorful result, you can replace the grated Parmesan with aged pecorino, while for a more substantial result, you can add 1 egg to the rest of the ingredients.

Can I Make Them in An Air Fryer?

Yes, and it’s actually one of the best methods to get them crispy with less oil. Prepare the potato mixture, shape the smiley faces, and lightly brush or spray them with oil before cooking. Air fry them at 375–400°F (190–200°C) for about 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp. For the best texture, freeze the shaped fries for a short time before cooking — this helps them keep their shape and prevents them from becoming too soft.

Can I Freeze Smiley Fries?

Of course! After shaping the potato faces, place them on a tray in a single layer and freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container. They can be stored for about 1–2 months and cooked directly from frozen in the oven or air fryer. Freezing them before cooking helps preserve their shape and gives them a crispier texture when reheated.

Storage Instructions

To enjoy them in all their fragrance, homemade smiley chips should be eaten piping hot and immediately.

How to Make Homemade Smiley Potato Fries

Step 1

Step 1

To prepare homemade smiley fries, first peel the boiled potatoes, pass them through a potato masher and collect the puree in a bowl.

To prepare homemade smiley fries, first peel the boiled potatoes, pass them through a potato masher and collect the puree in a bowl.

Step 2

Step 2

Season with salt and pepper, add the grated cheese and corn starch and start mixing the ingredients with a spoon.

Season with salt and pepper, add the grated cheese and corn starch and start mixing the ingredients with a spoon.

Step 3

Step 3

Finish with breadcrumbs.

Finish with breadcrumbs.

Step 4

Step 4

Knead with your hands until you obtain a soft but malleable mixture: if necessary, add more breadcrumbs.

Knead with your hands until you obtain a soft but malleable mixture: if necessary, add more breadcrumbs.

Step 5

Step 5

Roll out the dough on a floured sheet of baking paper.

Roll out the dough on a floured sheet of baking paper.

Step 6

Step 6

Using a 5-6 cm diameter pastry cutter, cut out many discs.

Using a 5-6 cm diameter pastry cutter, cut out many discs.

Step 7

Step 7

Make eyes with a straw.

Make eyes with a straw.

Step 8

Step 8

Draw smiley potato faces with a spoon.

Draw smiley potato faces with a spoon.

Step 9

Step 9

Dip 4-5 chips at a time in plenty of boiling seed oil, turn them over as soon as they start to brown and cook them until golden.

Dip 4-5 chips at a time in plenty of boiling seed oil, turn them over as soon as they start to brown and cook them until golden.

Step 10

Step 10

Then remove the fries with a slotted spoon.

Then remove the fries with a slotted spoon.

Step 11

Step 11

Let them drain on a sheet of absorbent paper for fried foods.

Let them drain on a sheet of absorbent paper for fried foods.

Step 12

Step 12

Arrange the homemade smiley chips on a tray, bring to the table and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Arrange the homemade smiley chips on a tray, bring to the table and serve immediately. Enjoy!