Idahoan Foods Releases Potatoes with Protein

In a move destined to make carb lovers everywhere feel just a little more virtuous, Idahoan Foods has unveiled its latest innovation: +PROTEIN™ Mashed Potatoes. Yes, that’s right, your favorite fluffy side dish is now working overtime as a source of protein. It’s the comfort food equivalent of a couch potato signing up for CrossFit.

The brand, known for turning spuds into instant mealtime magic, has decided it’s time to level up the potato game by adding 6 grams of high-quality protein per serving or 24 grams per pouch for those who like to imagine they’re fueling up for a triathlon instead of sitting down to dinner with the kids.

The Power Spud Rises

Idahoan promises these aren’t just any mashed potatoes. They’re made with the same 100% Idaho® potatoes that have been winning hearts (and weeknight dinners) for decades, but now they come with a little extra muscle. It’s the kind of news that makes parents across the country think, “Finally, a way to feed my family something that sounds healthy without actually cooking.”

According to Idahoan Foods, the average adult needs between 15 and 30 grams of protein per meal to stay energized, satisfied, and on track. Which means these potatoes are doing their part to help you hit those nutritional benchmarks, one steaming, buttery scoop at a time. And if that’s not enough incentive, the company notes that +PROTEIN™ Mashed Potatoes can be ready in just 60 seconds. Because in the real world, where parents are referees, chauffeurs, and part-time short-order cooks, one-minute mashed potatoes sound less like food and more like a public service.

Three Flavors, One Mission: Make Dinner Feel Like an Accomplishment

The +PROTEIN™ line comes in three crowd-pleasing varieties: Buttery Homestyle®, Loaded Baked, and Roasted Garlic. Each one is gluten-free, free from artificial flavors and dyes, and allegedly indistinguishable from “homemade,” if your definition of homemade involves no peeling, no mashing, and absolutely no dishes.

Buttery Homestyle® is described as rich and creamy, evoking the nostalgic taste of family dinners and possibly the illusion that you’ve made something from scratch. Idahoan swears the flavor is authentic, thanks to a meticulous process involving washing, peeling, boiling, and mashing, all done for you. You just add hot water, wait a minute, and voilà: dinner hero status achieved.

Loaded Baked brings all the decadence of a baked potato bar, minus the part where anyone has to shred cheese or fry bacon. It’s perfect for those moments when you want the comfort of a steakhouse side dish but only have enough energy to boil water.

Roasted Garlic caters to the sophisticated palates among us, the ones who insist on bold flavors, even if the rest of their meal involves chicken nuggets and ketchup. It’s creamy, flavorful, and guaranteed to make your kitchen smell like you’ve been cooking for hours.

The Protein Revolution You Didn’t Know You Needed

Ryan Ellis, Idahoan Foods’ Vice President of Retail Marketing & Business Development, says the new product represents the company’s ongoing commitment to “innovation” and “high-quality products that cater to an expanded range of consumer needs.” Translation: potatoes are getting buff because apparently everyone else is.

Ellis adds that consumer demand is booming for fortified and functional foods, because somewhere between oat milk and protein water, we collectively decided that plain old food wasn’t good enough. And now, with +PROTEIN™, Idahoan gives families a convenient way to “add more protein to their meals with zero compromise on taste.”

It’s a lofty claim, but for many parents, convenience is the ultimate metric of success. After all, if you can serve something that’s quick, comforting, and possibly good for you, that’s basically a triple crown of parenting wins.

From Couch Potato to Power Player

So what does this mean for the average dinner table? In short, it means mashed potatoes have officially joined the wellness movement. They’re no longer just the soft, buttery sidekick to meatloaf or turkey. They’re now a protein powerhouse, ready to stand tall among your meal-prep staples.

It’s a sign of the times. The humble spud has gone from basic carb to overachiever, and families everywhere can now spoon out their daily protein with a side of nostalgia. Whether you’re a busy parent trying to sneak more nutrition into dinner or just someone who enjoys the comfort of instant potatoes that think they’re doing CrossFit, Idahoan +PROTEIN™ might be the closest thing to balance you’ll find in a weeknight meal.

The Verdict: Fitness Meets Fork

Idahoan’s new line isn’t just a culinary innovation. It’s a cultural one. It speaks to the universal truth that people want to eat better but don’t necessarily want to try harder. If your meal can be ready in a minute, taste like home, and give you an excuse to say you’re “meeting your protein goals,” why wouldn’t you?

In a world of kale chips and quinoa bowls, Idahoan +PROTEIN™ Mashed Potatoes are a delicious reminder that comfort food doesn’t have to apologize for being itself. It just needed a little protein makeover and maybe a great marketing team to make us feel better about loving it.

So go ahead, scoop generously. You’re not just eating mashed potatoes. You’re investing in your wellness journey, one buttery bite at a time.