KFC Is Bringing an International Favorite to the U.S. for the First Time—and We Tried It First

On the heels of one of KFC’s most exciting announcements for fans, that Potato Wedges are coming back for a market test in Tampa, the fried chicken chain has even more news that customers are sure to be amped about—especially me. For the first time, Kentucky Fried Chicken is bringing a highly requested international side dish to U.S. menus.

KFC is no stranger to releasing some of its most unique and enticing menu items in other countries first. The Chizza, a “pizza” made with fried chicken topped with pizza sauce, cheese, and pepperoni, was born in the Philippines, while the Twister wraps were hits in the U.K., Canada, and South Africa before they came stateside.

Now, Colonel Sanders’ chicken joint is releasing a side that’s so talked about in Australia, the brand recently resurrected it after 10 years: Mashies. 

KFC Releases New Mashed Potato Poppers

Australia’s Mashies are fried mashed potato bites coated in the original recipe seasoning and served with a side of gravy. In the U.S., the new side dish will be called Mashed Potato Poppers, but it still features KFC’s fan-loved mashed potatoes fried into crispy-on-the-outside, soft-and-fluffy-on-the-inside bites served with gravy for dipping. 

I tried the Mashed Potato Poppers at the KFC headquarters in 2024 and have been not-so-patiently waiting for the fried mashed potato balls to hit menus nationwide. They’re easily one of the top three menu items I tried at HQ and I can’t wait to get them again. I’m a sucker for KFC’s gravy—I add it to basically any menu item—so a new way to eat mashed potatoes and gravy is very welcomed. 

The Mashed Potato Poppers will be served in a five-count à la carte side or as part of KFC’s brand new Dunk It Bucket. 

KFC’s Launches New Dunk It Bucket Meal Deal

Just in time for March Madness, KFC is releasing its first new bucket in almost 10 years. The Dunk It Bucket will be available in two sizes at different price points. The $7 Dunk It Bucket features two Original Recipe Tenders, five Mashed Potato Poppers, and your choice of three dipping sauces. The $25 Double Dunk It Bucket features 10 Original Recipe Tenders, Secret Recipe Fries, 10 Mashed Potato Poppers, four biscuits, and your choice of six sauces for a meal large enough to feed your basketball-viewing party crowd. 

Both the Dunk It Buckets and Mashed Potato Poppers will be available on KFC menus nationwide for a limited time beginning March 17.

Additionally, KFC is releasing exclusive “KFC Dunk It” merch as a play on the March Madness tournament. The new line features a mini basketball hoop and ball, stickers, and apparel perfect for the basketball—and fried chicken—lover. You can find the full line on the KFC Shop site.

After waiting nearly a year to get my hands on KFC’s Mashed Potato Poppers again, it’s safe to say you’ll find me at the restaurant pretty frequently while the fried mashed potatoes are on the menu.