This post contains affiliate links.
If you are having people over for dinner, taking a dish to a potluck, or hosting your first Friendsgiving (or Thanksgiving!) and are wondering how many potatoes will be needed for each person, then you have come to the right place. Potatoes of all forms are popular amongst guests, which means the host will want to make sure there is plenty to go around.
For any style meal or variety of potato, plan for 1 to 1 ½ potatoes per person. For children, only ½ to one potato will be needed. Event planners provide 150% of the serving size for every individual, as portion recommendations are not commonly followed. Have extra potatoes when feeding a group.
Potatoes come in all shapes and forms, and they are all delicious. Keep reading to find out how many potatoes you will need to serve per person depending on how the potatoes are cooked.
How Many Baked Potatoes Per Person
On average, every individual will take one baked potato per person. However, whether or not the person can finish this potato depends on its size. For instance, men can eat a larger baked potato than children can, which means both age and gender need to be taken into account.
Mixed
Many gatherings have both women, men, and children, so the different portion sizes need to be considered. On average, every individual will eat one seven-ounce potato.
| Number of people in the group | Number and Size of Potatoes Needed | Ounces of Potatoes Needed |
| 5 people | 5 large | 35 ounces |
| 10 people | 10 large | 70 ounces |
| 15 people | 15 large | 105 ounces |
| 20 people | 20 large | 140 ounces |
| 25 people | 25 large | 175 ounces |
| 30 people | 30 large | 210 ounces |
Men
If your group will be all men, assume that every man will eat one eight-ounce potato, although they may eat two.
Women
Women typically eat less than men, however, not by much. Women also will be able to finish one potato, however, only if it is about six ounces.
Children
Children will eat small baked potatoes, although many young children may not even eat a baked potato due to taste preferences. However, the children that do will typically only be able to finish one four-ounce potato.
How Much Mashed Potatoes Per Person
1/2 of a cup of mashed potatoes is one serving. However, most individuals find it difficult to only eat this amount of mashed potatoes, as they are used to eating a larger portion size.
Mixed
A standard amount of mashed potatoes for a group is one cup per person. Providing one cup of mashed potatoes for every individual should be plenty, especially if there are children present. 8.82 ounces are in one cup, which means every individual will eat over 1/2 of a pound of mashed potatoes.
| Number of People in the Group | Ounces of Mashed Potatoes Needed | Pounds of Mashed Potatoes Needed | Cups of Mashed Potatoes Needed |
| 5 people | 44.1 oz | 2.8 lbs | 5 cups |
| 10 people | 88.2 oz | 5.5 lbs | 10 cups |
| 15 people | 132.3 oz | 8.3 lbs | 15 cups |
| 20 people | 176.4 oz | 11 lbs | 20 cups |
| 25 people | 220.5 oz | 13.8 lbs | 25 cups |
| 30 people | 264.6 oz | 16.5 lbs | 30 cups |
Men
Men commonly eat quite a bit of mashed potatoes. This means that for a group with only men, more than one cup for every individual should be provided. For every man, 1.25 cups of mashed potatoes should be supplied.
Women
Women will likely not be able to finish an entire cup of mashed potatoes, especially if there are other sides provided. This means that about 3/4 of a cup should be provided for each woman in the group.
Children
Children won’t be able to finish a full cup of mashed potatoes. However, most children do enjoy them. Mashed potatoes are oftentimes a staple in a child’s diet, which means that most kids in the gathering eat mashed potatoes. However, they will only be able to finish about 1/2 of a cup.
How Many Tater Tots Per Person
It is no question that when it comes to tater tots, individuals always eat more than what is on the serving label. While only 10 tater tots are in a serving, many find themselves doubling this recommendation.
Mixed
For a mixed-gendered crowd, it can be assumed that every individual will eat 18 tater tots. 18 tots is equivalent to six ounces. With this being nearly double the serving size, it is a clear indication that serving sizes should be ignored when trying to figure out how many tater tots are needed per person.
| Number of People in the Group | Number of Tater Tots Needed | Ounces of Tater Tots Needed | Weight of Tater Tots Needed |
| 5 people | 90 tots | 30 oz | 1.9 lbs |
| 10 people | 180 tots | 60 oz | 3.75 lbs |
| 15 people | 270 tots | 90 oz | 5.6 lbs |
| 20 people | 360 tots | 120 oz | 7.5 lbs |
| 25 people | 450 tots | 150 oz | 9.4 lbs |
| 30 people | 540 tots | 180 oz | 11.25 lbs |
Men
Males can eat double the serving size of tater tots. This means that men can eat 20 tots at a time. 20 tots weigh about 6.7 ounces.
Women
Women are also capable of eating more than the serving size. Women commonly eat 15 tater tots at a time, which is 150% more than what is recommended. 15 tater tots weigh about 5 ounces.
Children
Even children can almost eat the serving size of tater tots. Tater tots are popular among children, however, they can only eat about eight at a time. 8 tater tots weigh about 2.7 ounces.
How Many French Fries Per Person
There are only 12 french fries in one serving. However, most individuals eat way more than 12 french fries at a time. Most restaurants serve a great deal more than 12 fries, and so individuals are used to this increased portion size.
Mixed
For an event with both men and women, it can be safe to assume that every individual will eat 20 french fries. This nearly doubles the serving size, which should be ignored when it comes to determining how many fries are needed per person.
| Number of People in the Group | Number of French Fries Needed | Ounces of French Fries Needed | Pounds of French Fries Needed |
| 5 people | 100 Fries | 20 oz | 1.25 lbs |
| 10 people | 200 Fries | 40 oz | 2.5 lbs |
| 15 people | 300 Fries | 60 oz | 3.75 lbs |
| 20 people | 400 Fries | 80 oz | 5 lbs |
| 25 people | 500 Fries | 100 oz | 6.25 lbs |
| 30 people | 600 Fries | 120 oz | 7.5 lbs |
Men
Unsurprisingly, men can eat more than double the serving size for french fries without issue. Most men will eat 25 french fries at a time.
Women
Women can eat 15 or more french fries.
Children
Children are not far behind women when it comes to how many french fries they can eat. Most kids can eat a substantial amount of fries, however, many will take more than they can finish. In general, children will only be able to eat 10 french fries.
For an event with kids, pre-serve the french fries. If the kids are handling the food themselves, they will take many more fries than they will be able to eat. If this occurs, many more fries will need to be provided and many will go to waste.
How Many Hash Browns Per Person
One serving of shredded hash browns is one cup per person and weighs about three ounces. Surprisingly, this recommendation is closely followed by most individuals.
Mixed
When serving hash browns for a group of both men and women, it should be assumed that every individual will eat one serving or one cup of hash browns. In most cases, individuals eat far above the serving size. However, in the case of shredded hash browns, the serving size is an accurate prediction of how much people actually eat.
| Number of People in the Group | Ounces of Hash Browns Needed | Pounds of Hash Browns Needed | Cups of Hash Browns Needed |
| 5 people | 15 oz | 0.9 lbs | 5 cups |
| 10 people | 30 oz | 1.9 lbs | 10 cups |
| 15 people | 45 oz | 2.8 lbs | 15 cups |
| 20 people | 60 0z | 3.8 lbs | 20 cups |
| 25 people | 75 oz | 4.7 lbs | 25 cups |
| 30 people | 90 oz | 5.6 lbs | 30 cups |
Men
By now, it is well known that males largely ignore serving sizes, and they create their own recommendations or eat until they are full. Most men eat 1.25 cups of hash browns at a time.
Women
Although men eat more than what is recommended when it comes to hash browns, women do not. Women eat less than the serving size, and typically only eat about 3/4 of a cup of shredded hash browns.
Children
Children can only eat 1/2 of the serving size. However, this is to be expected, as serving sizes were made for the standard-sized adult. Kids can only eat 1/2 of a cup of shredded hash browns at a time.
How to Limit the Amount of Potatoes Needed
Pre-Serve the Potatoes
Pre-serving the potatoes is an easy way to ensure that fewer potatoes will be needed. Before the event begins, place the potatoes out on plates so that way each person can take one.
Few people will go back for seconds, and the ones that do will be limited in number. In addition, this eliminates waste as no one will take more than they can finish.
The downside to pre-serving the potatoes is that they may get cold. The longer they sit out, the less fresh they will be and therefore the less the crowd will enjoy them. However, if guests will be eating as soon as they arrive, then pre-serving the potatoes is a great option.
Serve the Potatoes Yourself
Serving the potatoes yourself is easy and allows you to interact with every guest as they come by. This works extremely well for different varieties of potatoes such as french fries or tater tots, as you will be able to control how many each person is served.
When children are at the event, the host will want to make sure that they are serving the potatoes. Otherwise, children may take more than they can eat as they do not realize how much they can finish.
Provide Sides
Sides should always be provided when serving potatoes. This way guests will have more options to choose from, and it will take some of the focus away from the potatoes. Having additional sides can greatly decrease the number of potatoes that will be needed for an event. The more sides available, the fewer potatoes will be needed.
Use Smaller Plates
Using smaller plates can trick guests into thinking they are eating more than they are because of the Delboeuf effect. The Delboeuf effect is an illusion of size perception, and it is evident when it comes to food and plate sizes. When individuals eat food off of a smaller plate, their minds think they are eating off of a full-sized plate.
In addition, guests will only be able to take a certain amount of food when they have small plates. This means that they will be less likely to waste, as they will only be able to fit a small number of potatoes on the plate at a time.
What to Serve With Potatoes
Potatoes go well with a variety of dishes. This is because their flavor can accumulate to anything it is being served with, one of the many benefits of potatoes. However, there are a few different foods that go particularly well with potatoes.
Steak
Steak is a classic meat that is often served with potatoes. Steak can be served with many forms of potatoes such as french fries, mashed potatoes, or baked potatoes. In reality, any kind of potato pairs well with steak.
Chicken
Chicken is a less expensive type of meat that can be served with potatoes. Like steak, chicken can be combined with all different forms of potatoes. However, the most classic combination is fried chicken and french fries.
Vegetables
Vegetables are always a wonderful side dish for dishes with potatoes. Corn, brussel sprouts, and carrots are popular options. Vegetables can be served separately or can be combined into a type of stew with potatoes.