Boil the potatoes with the skins on—you can use a microwave if you like. The goal is to get a very dry mashed potato. You’ll need about 1 lb 2 oz (500 grams) of mashed potatoes, so start with a bit more raw potato. Once boiled, peel and mash them.

Add salt, egg, garlic powder, finely grated cheese (choose a flavorful one if possible), flour, cornstarch, and breadcrumbs to the mashed potatoes. Mix everything together to form a dough. Let it rest for 10 minutes.

Place plastic wrap or parchment paper on your work surface. Put the dough on top, cover with another sheet, and roll it out to a thick, even layer—the dough will be very soft. Cut out smiley faces using a cookie cutter or a small glass (dust the cutters with flour so they don’t stick). For the eyes, use a straw; for the mouth, use a small spoon.

Arrange the shapes on a tray and freeze for 10 minutes before frying.

Fry in hot oil until golden and crisp.

Serve with ketchup, cheddar cheese sauce, or enjoy them plain with the kids!