Maris Piper potatoes are a favorite choice for many recipes, especially in the United Kingdom, where they are often used for making perfect chips, roast potatoes, and mash. Their high starch content makes them great for frying, baking, and creating fluffy mashed potatoes. However, if you can’t find Maris Piper potatoes in your local store, or if you want to experiment with different varieties, there are plenty of alternatives that can give you similar results. Finding the right substitute can be a little tricky because you want a potato that cooks well, holds its shape, or mashes smoothly, depending on what you need.
In this blog post, we’ll explore 11 substitutes for Maris Piper potatoes. These alternatives can help you recreate your favorite recipes, whether you’re making a comforting dish of mashed potatoes, crispy roasted potatoes, or even fries. While Maris Piper is known for its versatility, each substitute on this list has unique qualities that make it worth trying. Whether you’re in the UK or another part of the world, you’ll likely find one of these options nearby.
11 Substitute For Maris Piper Potatoes
1. Russet Potatoes
Russet potatoes are often the first choice when people look for a Maris Piper substitute. Like Maris Piper, Russets have a high starch content, making them ideal for baking, frying, and mashing. Their fluffy texture after cooking makes them perfect for mashed potatoes, and when baked, they have a light, airy inside with a crisp skin.
If you’re making French fries or roast potatoes, Russets also crisp up beautifully. The only downside is that Russets can sometimes be too dry for certain dishes, but adding butter or cream can fix that.
2. Yukon Gold Potatoes
Yukon Gold potatoes are another great substitute for Maris Piper potatoes. They have a buttery flavor and smooth texture, which makes them fantastic for mashed potatoes and gratins. Unlike Maris Piper, Yukon Golds are slightly waxy, which helps them hold their shape when cooked.
This makes them perfect for recipes that need potatoes to stay firm, like potato salads or soups. Yukon Golds don’t crisp up as much as Maris Piper when roasted, but they offer a rich, creamy flavor that is hard to resist.
Read also, 12 Best Substitutes For Sweet Potatoes
3. King Edward Potatoes
If you’re in the UK, King Edward potatoes are an excellent swap for Maris Piper. They’re known for their creamy texture and are widely used for roasting, mashing, and making chips. King Edward potatoes have a balanced starch content, which means they can be used in various dishes.
They roast well, becoming golden and crispy on the outside while staying fluffy on the inside. King Edward potatoes are also a good choice for baking, as they hold up well in the oven and don’t fall apart easily.
4. Desiree Potatoes
Desiree potatoes are another solid substitute for Maris Piper potatoes, especially if you need potatoes that hold their shape. They have a smooth red skin and a creamy yellow flesh that works well in casseroles, stews, and salads. While they’re waxier than Maris Piper, they still work well for roasting and mashing.
Desiree potatoes are particularly great in soups and stews, as they don’t disintegrate during long cooking times. However, if you’re making fries or roast potatoes, you might want to consider a higher-starch option for crispier results.
5. Red Potatoes
Red potatoes are a common variety that can be found in most grocery stores. They have a lower starch content than Maris Piper, which means they hold their shape well when boiled or roasted. This makes them a good choice for potato salads, soups, and gratins.
Red potatoes don’t mash as smoothly as Maris Piper, but they still make for a chunky, hearty mash. If you’re making roasted potatoes, red potatoes will get crispy on the outside, but they won’t be as fluffy as Maris Piper or Russets.
6. Charlotte Potatoes
Charlotte potatoes are small, waxy potatoes that are perfect for boiling and using in salads. Their firm texture holds up well in soups and casseroles, making them a good choice for dishes where you don’t want the potatoes to fall apart.
Charlotte potatoes have a smooth, creamy taste, but they don’t crisp up as much as Maris Piper when roasted. They’re not ideal for mashing or frying because of their lower starch content, but if you need a potato that will hold its shape, they’re a great choice.
7. Golden Wonder Potatoes
Golden Wonder potatoes are another high-starch variety, making them an excellent option if you’re looking for a substitute that will give you fluffy mashed potatoes or crispy fries. They have a light, floury texture, similar to Maris Piper, and work well for roasting and baking.
Golden Wonder potatoes are not as widely available as other varieties, but if you can find them, they’re a solid choice for most dishes that call for Maris Piper.
8. Kennebec Potatoes
Kennebec potatoes are a versatile option that works well in a range of dishes. They have a balanced starch content, which makes them suitable for both frying and boiling. If you’re making fries or chips, Kennebec potatoes will give you a crisp exterior and a fluffy interior.
When mashed, they have a smooth, creamy texture similar to Maris Piper. Kennebec potatoes are also good for baking, as they hold up well and don’t become too soft or mushy.
9. Inca Gold Potatoes
Inca Gold potatoes are small, yellow-fleshed potatoes with a smooth, buttery flavor. They’re a great choice for mashing or boiling, as they have a creamy texture that’s similar to Yukon Gold or Maris Piper.
While Inca Gold potatoes don’t crisp up as much as some other varieties when roasted, they offer a rich, satisfying taste that works well in most recipes. If you need a potato that holds its shape and provides a creamy texture, Inca Gold is a good alternative.
Read also, 10 Best Substitute For Sweet Potatoes
10. Adirondack Blue Potatoes
Adirondack Blue potatoes may not be the first variety that comes to mind when you’re looking for a Maris Piper substitute, but their unique purple-blue color and slightly starchy texture make them a fun and delicious alternative. They’re best used in dishes where their color can shine, like potato salads or roasted vegetable medleys.
Adirondack Blue potatoes have a creamy interior that works well for mashing, but they’re not as fluffy as Maris Piper. They’re also a bit waxy, so they hold up nicely when roasted or boiled.
11. Fingerling Potatoes
Fingerling potatoes are small, finger-shaped potatoes with a waxy texture. While they don’t have the same starch content as Maris Piper, they’re excellent for roasting, grilling, or boiling. Their firm texture makes them ideal for dishes where the potatoes need to hold their shape, like salads or roasted side dishes.
Fingerlings have a slightly nutty flavor, which can add a unique twist to your recipes. They’re not the best for mashing, but if you’re looking for a potato that will add variety to your meals, fingerlings are a great option.
Conclusion
While Maris Piper potatoes are a go-to for many potato-based dishes, there are plenty of other varieties that can step in and give you similar results. From the fluffy texture of Russet potatoes to the buttery flavor of Yukon Golds, each substitute has its own strengths. The key is to choose the right potato for the dish you’re making.
If you need something starchy and fluffy for mashing or frying, Russets, Golden Wonder, or King Edward potatoes are excellent choices. For dishes that require the potatoes to hold their shape, like salads or casseroles, waxier varieties like Charlotte or Fingerling potatoes work well. Whatever you choose, these substitutes will help you create delicious meals even when Maris Piper potatoes aren’t available.