Three phenolic acids, p -coumaric, ferulic and caffeic acid as well as cinnamic acid were added to raw potatoes and sweet potatoes before frying. A distinct mitigation of acrylamide was not detected. Fried samples were analysed for postulated adducts of a direct reaction between acrylamide and these phenolic acids using LC-MS. In a model system with pure compounds (phenylacrylic acid and acrylamide) heated on 10% hydrated silica gel one specific adduct (respective m/z for M ​+ ​H + ) was formed in each reaction. MS/MS-data suggested an oxa-Michael formation of 3-amino-3-oxopropyl-phenylacrylates, which was confirmed by de novo syntheses along an S N 2 substitution of 3-chloropropanamide. Exemplarily, the structure of the ester was confirmed for p -coumaric acid by NMR-data. Standard addition revealed that 3-amino-(3-oxopropyl-phenyl)-acrylates occurred neither in fried potato nor in sweet potato, while a formation was shown in phenylacrylic acid plus acrylamide supplemented potatoes and sweet potatoes.