Leftover Potatoes Potatoes often house Clostridium botulinum, the botulism bacteria. When they're cooked and not immediately stored in the fridge, spores of the bacteria can multiply. 6 Microwaving the potatoes won't kill the bacteria either, so your second-day potatoes could cause an upset stomach.
Potatoes lose their nutritional value if reheated. Even if you let them rest at room temperature for a long time they can actually become toxic and cause nausea or illness, and even food poisoning.
Can you reheat potatoes? Yes, it is safe to reheat potatoes. However, they must be stored properly after initial cooking. If they are not, it can result in the growth of a bacterium known as Clostridium botulinum, which can cause a fatal disease, botulism.
Reheat in the Oven
Whether they're made with just potatoes, milk, butter, and salt or jazzed up with ingredients like sour cream or garlic, mashed potatoes will heat up wonderfully in the oven.
However, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommends that food is only reheated once, so follow this guidance wherever possible. When you reheat food, you must ensure it is piping hot all the way through. This indicates that you have properly reheated it and the bacteria has been destroyed.
Reheating a baked potato in the microwave may be the quickest method, but it can result in dried-out potatoes if you aren't careful. To prevent that, cut the potato in half, place it in a microwave-safe dish, and cover each half with a damp paper towel—heat for two to three minutes or until the potato is heated.
Sad news for spud lovers: reheating leftover potatoes could make you ill. As the Independent reported, the issue with reheating potatoes isn't actually the process of warming them in the microwave or oven. If cooked potatoes are left to cool at room temperature for too long, the bacteria that causes botulism may form.
Take your mashed potatoes out of the fridge and set them on the counter for about 20 minutes to bring them to room temperature. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F. Then, pop them in the oven, covered, for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.
Usually, restaurants reheat mashed potatoes inside the crockpot for several hours. If you also want to try using this method at home, be mindful of signs of spoilage such as changes in texture or color when keeping it for long hours. Also, check the temperature setting when you reheat the dish to avoid overheating.
Cooked potatoes and other cooked vegetables can be safely kept in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates fruits and vegetables, if more information is needed on produce, you can call the FDA toll-free at (888) 723-3366 or go to their website at FDA (www.fda.gov).
Regular oven or toaster oven
While this common method takes a little time, it is a great option and the best way to reheat your potatoes if you don't have an air fryer but want similar, great results. Reheating in the oven is a great way to ensure you keep the crispy skin and don't end up with soggy potatoes.
Boiling potatoes and microwaving whole potatoes with skin on to make “microwaved baked potatoes” does not produce acrylamide. [Based on FDA studies.] Soaking raw potato slices in water for 15-30 minutes before frying or roasting helps reduce acrylamide formation during cooking.
In our opinion, the most reliable way to reheat a baked potato is by popping it in the oven. The skin crisps up beautifully, and the interior gets hot and fluffy. Plus, you can reheat a whole rack of baked potatoes in one go. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Cold potatoes don't spike blood sugar levels
So using up your excess potatoes is great for avoiding food waste, better for your blood sugar, and tasty for your gut microbes. Cold potatoes really are good for our gut health!
The microwave, it turns out, is actually perfect for reheating mashed potatoes. Simply add your mashed potatoes to a microwave-safe bowl, along with a tablespoon or so of milk or cream. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and microwave on 50 percent power for 60 seconds.
Mashed potatoes can sit out for two hours at room temperature. Any longer than that, they can enter the “danger zone,” which are unsafe temperatures that promote the growth of bacteria. If temperatures go above 90 °F, mashed potatoes can only sit out for one hour.
' When it comes to prepared food, it's best to always err on the side of safety. Potatoes are economical and easy to prepare, so I recommend that you discard the unrefrigerated mashed potatoes and start a fresh batch.
To reheat mashed potatoes in the oven:
Add a bit of butter, milk, or cream for extra moisture. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 10-15 minutes, stirring gently every 5 minutes. Once your bowl of potatoes is hot, at least 165°, you can serve and eat.
These mashed potatoes work well for any holiday dinner or lunch, for Thanksgiving, or just a side dish for a regular family meal. You can make them up to 3 days ahead and simply warm up to serve. They're so good and taste exactly the same when reheated, which is amazing.
When time is limited and mashed potatoes are a "must have" on the menu (which is always), keep the prepared potatoes warm by placing them in a heat-resistant bowl, covering, and setting it over a pot of simmering water. The potatoes should still be tasty 2 to 3 hours later.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's microwave safety page says that some foods, like carrots and hot dogs, can spark or "arc" in the microwave. It's the same effect that happens if you accidentally leave a fork in the pasta you're reheating (guilty) or use a plate with metallic edging (also guilty).
This is because the more times you cool and reheat food, the higher the risk of food poisoning. Bacteria can multiply when cooled too slowly or reheated insufficiently.
Eating carbs that have been cooked, cooled, and then reheated could help people lose weight. Reheated potatoes, rice, and pasta have more resistant starch, registered nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert explained. Resistant starch helps prevent blood sugar spikes and is more satiating, research suggests.