Here's The Huge Sin You Are Committing When Making Mashed Potatoes

Loaded with flavor and nutrition, mashed potatoes make a healthy addition to any meal. One cup provides about 9 grams of protein and 35 grams of complex carbs, depending on the ingredients used (per My Food Data). You'll also get over 3 grams of fiber and large doses of magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper, and vitamin C. Who would have thought that mashed potatoes were so nutritious?!

This popular dish is fairly easy to cook, but you could still end up with a bowl of sticky spuds. Ideally, use high-starch or waxy potatoes, as they tend to have a creamy, buttery texture once cooked. Yukon Golds and russets are a great choice, according to PopSugar. Boil them until soft and then remove excess moisture. Mash them while they're still hot — just make sure you're using a hand-held masher, fork, or ricer.

If the potatoes still have a thick, gluey texture, you might be doing something wrong. Here are some common cooking mistakes you're probably making.

Overcooked potatoes are more likely to become gummy and gluey. The same can happen if they're not properly drained. Using a blender or food processor to mash boiled potatoes can also result in a sticky texture. The starch granules stored inside the cells of potatoes are released during mashing, but an electric mixer or food processor will break the starch cells, the outlet explains, making your potatoes gummy.

To prevent these issues, use a potato masher or food mill. A ricer will do the trick, too. When you're done, add seasonings to the mix. As a rule of thumb, you should never mix warm mashed potatoes with cold liquids. Instead, use hot chicken broth, hot milk, or melted butter at room temperature.

Note that it's possible to fix gluey mashed potatoes. For example, you could turn them into a gratin, suggests PopSugar. Another option is to spread them into a casserole dish greased with butter. Sprinkle shredded cheese, breadcrumbs, and seasonings all over, and then bake them until crispy. Add a few slices of bacon over them for extra flavor. For a vegan twist, replace cheese with nutritional yeast and swap butter for coconut milk or cream.