Description
Leftover mashed potato cheese puffs breathe delicious new life into yesterday’s side dish, creating crispy golden appetizers packed with cheesy comfort. Savory, light, and irresistibly crunchy, these puffs invite you to savor every delectable bite of this smart kitchen rescue.
Ingredients
Scale
Potato and Cheese Base:
- 2 cups (473 ml) leftover mashed potatoes
- 1 cup (113 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 g) grated parmesan cheese
Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish:
- 1/4 cup (15 g) chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Oil for frying (or cooking spray for baking)
Instructions
- Thoroughly blend leftover mashed potatoes with cheddar, Parmesan, flour, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until achieving a cohesive, slightly tacky consistency.
- Gently shape the potato mixture into compact 1-inch spheres, incorporating chopped parsley for an enhanced aromatic profile and vibrant visual appeal.
- For pan-frying method: Warm vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat (approximately 350°F), carefully introducing potato orbs and rotating periodically to ensure uniform golden-brown exterior, cooking approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
- For oven-roasting technique: Preheat oven to 400°F, arrange potato spheres on parchment-lined baking sheet, lightly mist with cooking spray to promote crispy texture.
- Bake potato puffs for 20-25 minutes, rotating midway to guarantee even browning and achieving a delectable crisp exterior with tender interior.
- Transfer to serving platter, allowing brief cooling period, then present these savory cheese-infused potato morsels while maintaining optimal temperature and crunchiness.
Notes
- Adjust potato consistency by adding more flour if the mixture feels too wet, ensuring the puffs hold their shape during cooking.
- Choose high-starch potatoes like Russet for fluffier texture and better binding in the cheese puffs.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, Gruyère, or blue cheese to create unique flavor profiles.
- Make these puffs gluten-free by substituting regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg