Description
These Crispy Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs are a delightful way to transform leftover mashed potatoes into golden, cheesy bites of comfort. Coated in crunchy breadcrumbs and baked to perfection, they offer a crispy exterior with a soft, flavorful inside—perfect as a snack, appetizer, or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the cheese puffs.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the leftover mashed potatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, eggs, all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Stir well until all ingredients are fully incorporated into a uniform mixture.
- Shape into Balls: Using your hands or a spoon, shape the potato mixture into small bite-sized balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, ensuring they are compact enough to hold their shape during baking.
- Coat with Breadcrumbs: Roll each shaped ball thoroughly in the cup of breadcrumbs until fully coated, which will create a crispy crust once baked.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking, and place the breadcrumb-coated balls onto the sheet, leaving a small space between each for even cooking.
- Bake: Bake the potato cheese puffs in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Serve Warm: Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving these delicious crispy puffs warm for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use leftover mashed potatoes that are not overly runny for best results; thicker mashed potatoes help the puffs hold their shape.
- Feel free to experiment with different cheeses such as mozzarella or pepper jack for varied flavor profiles.
- For extra crispiness, you can spray the puffs lightly with cooking oil before baking.
- These puffs can be reheated in the oven to retain their crisp texture; avoid microwaving as it may make them soggy.
- Adding chopped herbs like chives or parsley can enhance the flavor and provide a fresh note.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: mashed potato puffs, crispy cheese bites, leftover mashed potatoes recipe, cheesy appetizer, baked potato snacks
