Sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food - they can be elevated with creative ingredients or kept simple. Enjoyed savory or sweet, warm or cold, with fresh or leftover ingredients, there are endless options to get creative with. According to Technomic, grilled sandwiches are increasing in popularity with 69.1% menu penetration across the United States¹. Here are some unique sandwich options to help you keep up with this and other rising sandwich trends – let’s get creative!

If you’re looking to boost your classic deli sandwich, swapping the bread for crispy potato patties is the way to go. Form using Fresh-Dried™ potato shreds and pan fry. Add your choice of toppings - meat, veggies, spreads, and more – and grill together for the perfect crispy sandwich. Vibrant with flavors on their own, potato patties make the perfect replacement for bread, and their speed-scratch prep helps to cut back on labor. For another take, try bulking up sandwiches with deli-fresh shredded potato salads!

Gluten-free sandwich options are on the rise, having grown to 10.7% menu penetration². A delicious and easy way to elevate the classic bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich is by swapping out the bread for a potato patty. Fresh-Dried™ potato shreds are a great choice because they can reduce labor while maintaining delicious flavor and quality. Versatile and convenient, these refresh in a matter of minutes and are perfect for re-imagined bread replacements. Form the rehydrated potato shreds into a patty and pan fry to a golden crisp. The resulting patty will have a deliciously crispy outer layer to add that extra touch to the classic bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich while making it a friendly option for gluten-sensitive guests.

Take the classic Thanksgiving leftover sandwich. With elements of turkey, zesty cranberry sauce, roasted veggies, and potatoes, this sandwich really does it all. While mashed potatoes can be a little messy in the sandwich department, using Fresh-Dried™ au gratin potato slices is an easy swap. These velvety and cheesy sliced potatoes are the perfect ingredient to add that extra layer of flavor to your sandwich. With a quick and easy refresh, you can prepare an easy casserole that tastes like it was scratch-made. Use it for a side with other dishes and add the potatoes to your sandwich for a win-win solution.

With 11.3% menu penetration, vegetarian sandwich options are on the rise as well³ - and what could be better than the classic Caprese? With juicy heirloom tomatoes, fresh Mozzarella and basil, and a zesty Balsamic drizzle, it’s a tried-and-true crowd-pleaser. For a unique spin and an extra veggie kick, try replacing the bread with crispy potato patties.

With so many rising trends in sandwiches, it’s crucial to get creative. Fresh-Dried™ potatoes are one way to elevate sandwiches and add that extra touch. While reducing labor costs and time, they add delicious flavors and exciting textures while serving up scratch-made quality and taste.

For more sandwich inspiration, visit http://www.idahoanfoodservice.com/recipes.

Content courtesy of Idahoan Foodservice

¹Technomic 2022, National Food Trends, Sandwiches and Wraps

²Technomic 2022, National Food Trends, Sandwiches and Wraps

³Technomic 2022, National Food Trends, Sandwiches and Wraps