I absolutely love sharing Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe with friends because it’s a little unexpected but so delightful. The salty crunch of potato chips sneaks into buttery, sweet cookies which makes each bite a perfect balance of flavors you never knew you needed. When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed how these simple pantry staples come together to create something irresistibly delicious and fun.

You’ll find that Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe is perfect for occasions when you want to wow guests with a unique treat or just satisfy a cookie craving with a surprising twist. It’s especially great when you’re pressed for time but want to bake something that feels homemade and special, because the dough chills quickly and the baking is straightforward.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Unique Flavor Twist: The potato chips add just the right amount of saltiness and crunch that complements the sweet cookie dough beautifully.
  • Simple Ingredients: Chances are you already have these staples on hand, making it easy to whip up spontaneously.
  • Perfect Texture: These cookies stay soft with a just-crisp edge—no risk of dry or crumbly results.
  • Kid and Crowd-Friendly: A crowd-pleaser that is fun for kids to help make and taste test along the way.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients in Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe come together in a way that’s both classic and clever. Using quality butter and fresh potato chips makes a noticeable difference in flavor, so picking your favorites here really pays off.

  • Potato chips: I prefer Lay’s Classic because they have the right amount of salt and aren’t too thick or flavored.
  • Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature for smooth creaming with sugar.
  • Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the cookie’s slight crisp outside.
  • Egg yolk: It adds richness and helps bind the dough without making it too cakey.
  • Vanilla extract: For a warm, aromatic depth that balances the salty chips.
  • All-purpose flour: The base of your dough, providing that traditional cookie structure.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love playing around with this recipe depending on the season or what I have on hand. You can easily personalize Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe to match your taste or make it a little healthier if you want.

  • Chocolate Chip Addition: I sometimes toss in a handful of mini chocolate chips which pairs surprisingly well with the salty chips for a sweet-and-savory combo.
  • Flavored Potato Chips: For a fun twist, try BBQ or sour cream & onion chips to add an extra flavor dimension.
  • Gluten-Free Flour: Swapping the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend works well if you need this to be gluten friendly.
  • Lemon Zest: Adding a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest brightens the dough, giving cookies a subtle citrus zing that’s refreshing.

How to Make Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Crush those chips with care

Start by placing your potato chips in a sturdy Ziploc bag and gently crush them by hand until you achieve flaky, small pieces—not powder, but definitely not whole chips anymore. I find doing this step by hand helps maintain some texture in the cookies and avoids overly salty pockets that happen if you pulse them too much in a food processor. Set the crushed chips aside while you prepare the dough.

Step 2: Cream the butter and sugar

Use a stand mixer or a hand mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into the dough, making the cookies tender. Once smooth, beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until fully combined.

Step 3: Mix in flour and potato chips

Add the flour gradually, mixing on low speed to ensure everything is well combined without overworking the dough—it should feel soft but not sticky. Fold in about half of the crushed potato chips gently, saving the rest to mix in later or to sprinkle on top if you like a little extra crunch. Cover your dough tightly and let it chill in the fridge for about an hour. I learned that chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle and improves the cookie texture.

Step 4: Shape and bake your cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper—no need for additional grease here! Scoop out 1-inch balls of dough and place them about 2 inches apart on the sheets. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the edges begin to turn a lovely golden hue. A key tip here: The cookies will look pale and soft when you pull them out, but they firm up nicely as they cool. Avoid overbaking to keep them tender inside.

Step 5: Cool and enjoy

Once baked, let the cookies cool completely on the sheet or a wire rack before you dive in. This cooling step helps them set perfectly—warm cookies might seem too soft and fragile, but patience truly pays off. Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, but I’m usually lucky if any last that long!

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Pro Tips for Making Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe

  • Gentle Crushing: Crushing the potato chips by hand avoids turning them into powder, preserving texture in the cookie.
  • Chill Your Dough: Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much and helps develop flavor.
  • Don’t Overbake: Take them out when edges are just golden; they’ll firm up as they cool for perfect softness.
  • Use Parchment Paper: It’s key to prevent sticking and encourages even browning without added grease.

How to Serve Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe

The image shows two close-up golden brown cookies with a rough, crumbly texture and uneven surfaces. They appear soft and thick with a slightly cracked top layer, resting closely beside each other on a white marbled surface. Light shines brightly from one side, highlighting the cookies' uneven edges and surface details, making them look warm and freshly baked. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

While I usually serve these cookies as-is because they shine on their own, sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt on top just before baking elevates the salty-sweet balance beautifully. Occasionally, I dip half of the cookie in melted dark chocolate for an extra fancy touch and decadent flavor.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or tea. For a party spread, I like serving them alongside fresh fruit or cheese platters to balance sweetness with savory flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or holidays, stacking the cookies in a jar tied with a pretty ribbon makes a charming gift. I’ve also arranged them on a tiered dessert tray with other family favorites to make an irresistible cookie buffet that gets everyone excited.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Adding a slice of bread inside the container helps keep them soft by maintaining moisture, a little trick I stumbled upon that really works.

Freezing

These cookies freeze exceptionally well. Just place the fully cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or bag with parchment between layers to avoid sticking. They keep their flavor and texture beautifully for up to 2 months.

Reheating

If you want your cookies a little warm and soft after freezing, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it makes them tough quickly. This way, you get a freshly baked feel without the mess.

FAQs

  1. Can I use flavored potato chips in Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe?

    Absolutely! Flavored chips like BBQ or sour cream & onion add a unique taste twist. Just be mindful of the salt content and adjust any additional salt in the recipe accordingly.

  2. Why does the dough need to chill before baking?

    Chilling the dough firms it up, making it easier to shape, prevents spreading during baking, and helps develop better flavor and texture in the final cookies.

  3. Can I substitute margarine or salted butter?

    While you can use margarine, unsalted butter gives the best flavor and texture. If using salted butter, skip adding any extra salt and be cautious with the salty potato chips to keep the balance right.

  4. How do I keep the cookies soft?

    Don’t overbake and store the cookies airtight with a slice of bread inside to help maintain moisture. Reheating them briefly in the oven also restores softness.

Final Thoughts

Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me of cozy afternoons baking with family, sharing laughs and sneaking tastes. I encourage you to give this recipe a try – it’s easy, rewarding, and will surprise your taste buds with every salty-sweet bite. Trust me, once you bake these, they’ll become your go-to cookie for any occasion.

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Mom-Mom’s Potato Chip Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.4 from 68 reviews
  • Author: Lauren
  • 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 classic cookies, blending the salty crunch of Lay’s Classic potato chips with a buttery, sweet dough. These cookies offer a unique texture with a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors, baked to a golden perfection and perfect for any occasion.


Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups potato chips (preferably Lay’s Classic), crushed

Wet Ingredients

  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract


Instructions

  1. Crush Potato Chips: Place the potato chips in a Ziploc bag and crush them by hand until they become small flakes. Set aside for later use.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl using a stand or hand mixer, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This ensures a soft texture in your cookies.
  3. Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract on medium speed until fully incorporated, making sure the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
  4. Incorporate Flour and Chips: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the mixture in small increments, blending well each time. Finally, fold in 1 cup of the crushed potato chips gently into the dough to evenly distribute the salty crunch.
  5. Chill Dough: Cover the prepared cookie dough and refrigerate it for 1 hour. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape and develops flavors.
  6. Preheat Oven and Prepare Sheets: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper, making sure not to add any oils or greases.
  7. Shape and Bake Cookies: Form the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and arrange them spaced on the parchment-lined cookie sheets. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the edges turn golden. The cookies will look soft and light but will firm up as they cool.
  8. Cool and Store: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before serving. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Use Lay’s Classic potato chips for the best salty crunch and flavor.
  • Do not grease the cookie sheets; parchment paper prevents sticking without extra fat.
  • Chilling the dough is essential for texture and better handling.
  • Cookies will be soft when fresh out of the oven but will firm upon cooling.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie (approximately)
  • Calories: 140
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 110mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg

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