Abstract:Objective This study aimed to improve the 3D printing adaptability of potato starch gels for special-shaped food products.Method A potato starch gel with a mass fraction of 15% was used as the continuous phase, and phycocyanin-peony seed oil Pickering emulsions were incorporated at different mass fractions (2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%) to investigate their effects on the shape-forming performance, rheological behavior, and water state of the system and the post-printing product quality.Result The mass fraction of Pickering emulsion significantly affected the printing performance and quality characteristics of the system. Appropriate Pickering emulsion addition promoted the conversion of part of free water into bound water. The product of the PE-4 (Pickering emulsion added at the mass fraction of 4%) group exhibited a coordinated color and an intact shape and showed superior shear-thinning behavior, thixotropic recovery, and viscoelastic balance, demonstrating the best comprehensive quality.Conclusion Phycocyanin-peony seed oil Pickering emulsion can effectively improve the 3D printing performance of potato starch gels. The findings provide a reference for the edible expression in special-shaped forms and for the development of creative food products.