Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs

Golden, crispy on the outside and soft, cheesy on the inside—Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs are the ultimate comfort food snack or side dish. Made with leftover mashed potatoes, melty cheese, and simple pantry staples, these little bites are packed with flavor and easy to whip up for dinner parties, family meals, or even lunchbox treats.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Perfect for Leftovers – A delicious way to use up mashed potatoes.
Crispy & Cheesy – Golden edges with gooey melted cheese inside.
Bite-Sized & Fun – Great for kids, snacks, or appetizers.
Make Ahead Friendly – Freeze and reheat beautifully.
Customizable – Add your favorite herbs, spices, or even veggies.

Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cheese Puffs:

• 2 cups cold mashed potatoes (smooth and creamy style)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheeses)
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour (plus more if needed)
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives or green onions
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp salt (optional, depending on the saltiness of your potatoes)
• ½ tsp baking powder (optional, for extra puffiness)

For Baking or Frying:

• Olive oil spray (for baking) or
• Vegetable oil (for pan-frying)

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowl
• Muffin tin or baking sheet
• Spatula or spoon
• Ice cream scoop or tablespoon
• Skillet (if frying)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Oven (or Prep Frying Pan)
For baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a mini muffin tin or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
For frying: Heat 2–3 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Step 2: Make the Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine mashed potatoes, shredded cheese, egg, flour, chives, garlic powder, pepper, salt, and baking powder if using.
Mix until the texture is thick and scoopable. If too loose, add more flour 1 tbsp at a time.

Step 3: Scoop & Shape
Using a spoon or scoop, form 1–2 tablespoon-sized mounds of the mixture.
For baking: Drop mixture into muffin tins or shape into small patties for the baking sheet.
For frying: Shape into small balls or discs and place on a plate.

Step 4: Cook the Puffs
Baking Method:
Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown on top and edges are crisp.
Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from the pan.

Pan-Frying Method:
Fry shaped potato balls in the skillet, 2–3 minutes per side, until golden and crispy.
Transfer to paper towels to drain.

Step 5: Serve Hot
Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce—ranch, sour cream, or ketchup work great.

Tips for the Best Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs
Use Cold Potatoes – Cold mashed potatoes are easier to handle and shape.
Don’t Overmix – Just combine enough to bring everything together.
Add Herbs – Fresh parsley, dill, or thyme add brightness.
Stuff Them – Add a cube of cheese to the center of each puff for a molten core.
Make It Spicy – Add chopped jalapeños or red pepper flakes for heat.

Serving Suggestions
Appetizer – Serve with a dipping sauce at parties or gatherings.
Side Dish – Pair with roast chicken, burgers, or meatloaf.
Snack Time – A warm, cheesy after-school treat for kids.
Brunch – Add alongside eggs and fruit for a savory touch.

How to Store & Reheat

Storing:
Refrigerate: Keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Place cooled puffs in a single layer on a tray. Freeze, then transfer to a bag for up to 2 months.

Reheating:
Oven: Reheat at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes until warmed through and crisp.
Air Fryer: 350°F (175°C) for 5–6 minutes.
Microwave: 30–60 seconds, though they’ll be softer.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use instant mashed potatoes?
Yes, just make sure they’re thick and fully cooled before using.

2. What type of cheese works best?
Cheddar is classic, but mozzarella, pepper jack, or Gruyère are great too.

3. Are these gluten-free?
Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour for a GF version.

4. Can I bake and freeze them ahead of time?
Absolutely—just reheat in the oven or air fryer straight from the freezer.

5. Can I make them without eggs?
Yes—use a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 2.5 tbsp water) or skip it if your mixture holds well.

Final Thoughts
Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs are a genius way to turn leftover mashed potatoes into something crispy, cheesy, and completely crave-worthy. Whether you bake or fry them, these little bites are perfect for snacks, sides, or party trays. Fun to make, even more fun to eat—they’ll disappear fast!

Try them out and let me know what you think! Don’t forget to leave a review below and share your cheesy puff photos on Pinterest—I’d love to see your take!
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20–25 minutes
Cuisine: American

Nutritional Information (Per Serving – 2 Puffs):
Calories: 160 | Protein: 5g | Carbohydrates: 14g | Fat: 9g | Fiber: 1g | Sodium: 240mg

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