14 Must Try Idaho Potato Dishes That Go Way Beyond French Fries

Idaho’s famous spuds aren’t just for French fries! These versatile tubers shine in countless delicious recipes, showcasing their creamy texture and earthy flavor.

As someone who’s sampled potato dishes across the Gem State, I’ve discovered some truly mind-blowing creations that will make you see potatoes in a whole new light.

From hearty breakfast classics like potato hash to unexpected desserts such as potato pie, these 15 Idaho potato specialties deserve a spot on your must-try list. Whether you prefer them mashed, baked, or even fried, Idaho potatoes are the star ingredient you didn’t know you needed!

1. Finger Steaks with Loaded Potato Skins

Finger Steaks with Loaded Potato Skins
© Hey Grill, Hey

You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced the heavenly combo of crispy finger steaks alongside loaded potato skins! My first bite at Boise’s Westside Drive-In left me speechless.

These aren’t your average potato skins. The chef hollows out russet potatoes, then twice-bakes them until the edges get perfectly crispy while the inside stays fluffy. They’re topped with a mountain of melted cheddar, crispy bacon bits, green onions, and a dollop of tangy sour cream.

The contrast between the crunchy exterior and creamy interior creates texture magic in your mouth. I now make these for every game day, and my friends practically tackle each other to get to them first!

2. Huckleberry Potato Doughnuts

Huckleberry Potato Doughnuts
© Food.com

Who knew potatoes could transform into the fluffiest doughnuts imaginable? These purple-speckled treats caught my eye at the Sun Valley Harvest Festival last fall. The secret to their cloud-like texture? Mashed Idaho potatoes in the batter!

Local bakers fold wild huckleberries—Idaho’s state fruit—into the potato-enriched dough before frying it to golden perfection. A light dusting of sugar finishes them off.

The result is a pastry that stays moist for days (though they rarely last that long). The subtle earthy notes from the potato balance perfectly with the tart-sweet huckleberry bursts. I’ve tried recreating these at home, but nothing beats the original from Idaho’s mountain bakeries!

3. Idaho Potato Ice Cream

Idaho Potato Ice Cream
© Business Insider

Screaming for ice cream made from potatoes? Sounds crazy, but this unusual frozen treat at The STIL in Boise changed my dessert world forever! The creamery uses a base of pureed Idaho russets blended with vanilla bean, cream, and a touch of honey.

The potatoes create an incredibly smooth texture without any ice crystals, resulting in the silkiest ice cream I’ve ever tasted. Some versions feature caramel swirls and chocolate-covered potato chips for a sweet-salty crunch that’s absolutely addictive.

What surprised me most was how the subtle potato flavor enhances the vanilla rather than competing with it. Even my skeptical kids gobbled it up and asked for seconds! This unexpected dessert perfectly showcases Idaho’s versatile state vegetable.

4. Potato Rolls with Honey Butter

Potato Rolls with Honey Butter
© Simply Recipes

Grandma always said the secret to her cloud-like dinner rolls was Idaho potatoes, and boy, was she right! These pillowy potato rolls have ruined me for all other bread. The mashed potatoes create a tender crumb that stays soft for days.

At Gaston’s Bakery in Boise, they’ve perfected the art of potato rolls. Each golden-brown bun pulls apart in delicate, feathery layers that practically melt when slathered with their signature honey butter infused with local lavender.

I still remember watching a fresh batch emerge from the oven during my visit—the heavenly aroma filled the entire block! The slight sweetness from the potato starch caramelizes during baking, creating a perfectly browned crust that gives way to that dreamy interior.

5. Potato Chocolate Cake

Potato Chocolate Cake
© The Spokesman-Review

Chocolate cake made with potatoes? I nearly fell off my chair when I discovered this gem at a small bakery in Pocatello! The baker smiled knowingly as I took my first suspicious bite—then watched my eyes widen with delight. Boiled and mashed Idaho russets replace much of the flour in this incredibly moist cake.

The potatoes hold moisture better than flour ever could, creating a decadent texture that stays fresh for days. Topped with a rich chocolate ganache, you’d never guess the secret ingredient.

What’s truly magical is how the potatoes enhance the chocolate flavor while adding a subtle depth. I’ve since learned this Depression-era recipe has been passed down through generations of Idaho families, proving that necessity truly is the mother of delicious invention!

6. Potato Gnocchi with Wild Mushroom Sauce

Potato Gnocchi with Wild Mushroom Sauce
© Flavor & The Menu

My taste buds danced with joy when I first sampled the cloud-like potato gnocchi at State & Lemp in Boise. These aren’t your average dense dumplings—they’re pillowy puffs of potato perfection that practically float off the fork!

The chef uses a special variety of Idaho russets with the perfect starch content, resulting in gnocchi that’s somehow both substantial and ethereal. Each delicate dumpling comes bathed in a silky sauce made from foraged morel and chanterelle mushrooms gathered from Idaho’s forests.

A sprinkle of pine nuts and fresh herbs from the restaurant’s garden completes this masterpiece. I’ve attempted homemade gnocchi countless times, but nothing compares to these Idaho spud pillows that showcase the humble potato at its most elegant.

7. Potato Cinnamon Rolls

Potato Cinnamon Rolls
© 104.3 WOW Country

Goldy’s Breakfast Bistro in downtown Boise serves cinnamon rolls that haunt my dreams! Their secret? Idaho mashed potatoes in the dough. When I first bit into one of these massive swirled beauties, I couldn’t believe the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

The potato-enriched dough rises into gloriously fluffy spirals wrapped around a buttery cinnamon-sugar filling. Each roll gets crowned with a generous drizzle of cream cheese frosting that slowly melts into every crevice.

They’re roughly the size of my face—one roll could feed a family! Unlike regular cinnamon rolls that get dry and stale quickly, these potato-based treats stay soft and moist for days. Now whenever I visit Idaho, I plan my trip around securing at least one of these legendary rolls.

8. Smoked Trout and Potato Chowder

Smoked Trout and Potato Chowder
© riverenceusa

Nothing warms the soul like a steaming bowl of smoked trout and potato chowder after a day exploring Idaho’s rivers! I stumbled upon this local specialty at a riverside café in Stanley, where they combine two of Idaho’s famous exports—potatoes and rainbow trout.

Chunks of buttery Yukon Gold potatoes swim alongside flakes of locally smoked trout in a creamy broth infused with dill. The smokiness of the fish perfectly complements the earthy potatoes, creating a harmony of flavors that represents Idaho in a bowl.

Each spoonful delivers the perfect balance of creamy, smoky, and starchy goodness. The café serves it with crusty sourdough bread for dipping, though I’ve been known to simply drink the last drops straight from the bowl when nobody’s looking!

9. Potato Fry Bread Tacos

Potato Fry Bread Tacos
© Favorite Family Recipes

The culinary mashup I never knew I needed came to life at the Northern Idaho State Fair: potato fry bread tacos! This brilliant fusion combines traditional Native American fry bread with Idaho potatoes and taco fillings, creating an explosion of textures and flavors.

The vendor mixes shredded potatoes into the fry bread dough before cooking it to golden perfection. The result is a crispy yet chewy base with little pockets of potato goodness throughout. They pile this potato-infused fry bread high with seasoned ground bison, local huckleberry salsa, and tangy goat cheese.

I watched in awe as the cook flipped the massive breads in sizzling oil, creating dinner plate-sized canvases for the fresh toppings. The combination of the crispy, potato-studded bread with the savory-sweet toppings creates an unforgettable taste of Idaho.

10. Potato Flatbread with Caramelized Onions

Potato Flatbread with Caramelized Onions
© Stephanie’s Dish

The aroma of potato flatbread baking in wood-fired ovens at the Boise Farmers Market stopped me in my tracks! This thin, crispy creation combines mashed Idaho potatoes with just enough flour to form a pliable dough that crisps up beautifully when baked.

Local bakers top the flatbreads with caramelized onions, crumbled blue cheese from Ballard Family Dairy, and fresh rosemary. The potatoes create a unique base that’s simultaneously crisp at the edges and tender in the center, with a natural sweetness that complements the toppings perfectly.

I watched in fascination as the baker stretched the dough paper-thin before sliding it onto hot stones. Within minutes, it transformed into a blistered, golden masterpiece. Now I make simplified versions at home on my pizza stone, though they never quite match the market’s wood-fired magic!

11. Potato and Cheese Pierogi

Potato and Cheese Pierogi
© Cooking with Cocktail Rings

Who would expect to find authentic Polish pierogi in the heart of Idaho? My taste buds went into overdrive at Old Boise Polish Food, where they stuff their dumplings with a heavenly mixture of Idaho potatoes and farmer’s cheese.

Each plump, half-moon dumpling gets boiled then pan-fried until golden, creating the perfect contrast between the crispy edges and tender center. Topped with caramelized onions, bacon crumbles, and a dollop of sour cream, these pierogi showcase the versatility of Idaho’s famous crop through a European lens.

The owner explained that Idaho russets create the perfect filling texture—creamy without becoming gluey. I’ve sampled pierogi around the world, but these Idaho-Polish hybrids have a special place in my heart. The restaurant even sells frozen batches to take home, which I stock up on every visit!

12. Potato Rosemary Focaccia

Potato Rosemary Focaccia
© PBS

The moment I sank my teeth into the potato rosemary focaccia at Acme Bakeshop in Boise, I knew I’d discovered something special. This isn’t just any focaccia—it’s a potato-lover’s dream come to life in bread form!

The bakers fold mashed Idaho potatoes directly into the dough, creating an incredibly moist, tender crumb with little pockets of potato goodness throughout. Thin slices of additional potatoes get arranged on top alongside fresh rosemary sprigs before baking, resulting in a beautiful pattern of crispy potato chips embedded in the dimpled surface.

A generous sprinkle of flaky sea salt completes this masterpiece. The potatoes give the bread a subtle sweetness and help it stay fresh for days longer than traditional focaccia. I’ve been known to drive two hours just to grab a loaf!

13. Potato Truffle Poutine

Potato Truffle Poutine
© Food Perestroika

My first encounter with potato truffle poutine at State Street Pub in Boise left me speechless—and that rarely happens! This elevated take on the Canadian classic starts with hand-cut Idaho russet fries, twice-fried to achieve the perfect balance of crispy exterior and fluffy interior.

The magic happens when they blanket these perfect fries with local cheese curds that squeak between your teeth, then drench everything in a rich gravy infused with foraged Idaho black truffles. The earthy aroma hits you before the plate even reaches the table.

As the hot gravy melts the cheese curds into gooey pockets of goodness, the truffle flavor intensifies. A sprinkle of fresh chives adds the perfect finishing touch. I’ve tried recreating this at home, but there’s something special about enjoying it in its native Idaho habitat!

14. Potato Skin Nachos

Potato Skin Nachos
© The Produce Moms

Football Sundays were forever changed when I discovered potato skin nachos at Bardenay in Eagle! Imagine the best parts of potato skins and nachos having a delicious baby—that’s this ingenious creation that puts tortilla chips to shame.

The chef slices Idaho russets into thin rounds, then triple-fries them until they’re impossibly crispy. These potato discs get layered on a sizzling cast iron skillet and loaded with smoked pulled pork, pickled jalapeños, and a blend of melted cheeses that stretches for days when you grab a chip.

A drizzle of house-made ranch and fresh green onions completes this masterpiece. The potato base stands up to toppings better than any tortilla chip, creating the perfect vehicle for all that nacho goodness. I’ve been known to skip dinner just to save room for a full order!