Looking for a tasty snack that will impress everyone? Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs are your answer! With gooey cheese and a crispy outer layer, these little bites are hard to resist. I’ll guide you through each step, from mixing fresh ingredients to baking the perfect puffs. Join me on this delicious journey and master a snack that’s great for any occasion! Your taste buds will thank you!
Ingredients
Main Ingredients for Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs
– 2 cups mashed potatoes
– 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 2 large eggs
Additional Ingredients
– 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plus extra for coating)
– 1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Oil spray for frying
For these cheesy mashed potato puffs, I love using leftover mashed potatoes. They work best when chilled. The creamy texture blends well with the cheeses. Sharp cheddar gives a tasty kick, while Parmesan adds depth.
You will need two large eggs to bind the mixture. This helps keep the puffs from falling apart. The breadcrumbs add a nice crunch. You can use regular or panko breadcrumbs, depending on what you have.
Chopped green onions add a fresh flavor. Garlic powder gives a little zing. Don’t forget salt and pepper to enhance all the tastes. Lastly, oil spray is important for that golden brown finish.
This mix of ingredients makes these puffs so yummy and satisfying. You can find the full recipe above to guide you through making them!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Mixture
– Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps the puffs not stick and makes cleanup easy.
– In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of chilled mashed potatoes, 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup of finely chopped green onions, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until well mixed. The mixture should hold together well.
Shaping the Puffs
– Scoop out a portion of the mixture, about the size of a golf ball. This helps the puffs cook evenly.
– Shape the mixture into small balls or puffs. You can use your hands for this. It can be a fun task, and you can even get the kids involved!
Baking the Puffs
– Roll each puff in extra breadcrumbs to coat them. This gives them a crispy outside.
– Place the coated puffs on the baking sheet, spaced out evenly. Make sure they aren’t touching each other.
– Lightly spray the puffs with oil. This helps them brown nicely while baking.
– Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes. Look for a golden brown color and crispy texture.
Enjoy making these cheesy mashed potato puffs! For the full recipe, be sure to check out the detailed steps and tips.
Tips & Tricks
Best Practices for Perfect Puffs
Using chilled mashed potatoes is key. Cold potatoes help the puffs hold their shape. Room temperature or warm potatoes can make them too soft. This can lead to puffs that flatten when baked. So, always use leftover mashed potatoes that you kept in the fridge.
To achieve a crispy outer layer, roll each puff in breadcrumbs twice. First, coat the puffs gently with breadcrumbs before baking. Then, give them a light spray of oil. This oil helps the breadcrumbs crisp up nicely. Do not skip this step if you want that perfect crunch!
Serving Suggestions
For dipping sauces, think about sour cream or spicy ketchup. These add great flavor and balance the cheese. You might also enjoy a zesty ranch or a chipotle mayo. Each sauce brings a new taste to the puffs.
When serving, present them in a rustic basket lined with parchment paper. This adds a nice touch. It also makes the puffs easy to grab. For a fun twist, add fresh herbs or a sprinkle of paprika on the top before serving. This gives a pop of color and flavor.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake is overmixing the ingredients. This makes the puffs dense and heavy. Mix just until everything is combined. This keeps them light and airy.
Another mistake is underbaking or overbaking the puffs. Check them after 20 minutes. They should be golden brown and crispy. If they are still pale, give them a few more minutes. But don’t overbake! You want them crispy, not dry.
Variations
Flavor Variations
You can easily change the taste of your cheesy mashed potato puffs. Start by adding herbs like parsley or chives. These add fresh flavors and color. You can also spice it up with paprika or cayenne for heat.
For cheese, try different types. Mozzarella gives a gooey texture. Feta brings a tangy bite. Mix two or more cheeses for a complex flavor.
Dietary Modifications
If you’re gluten-free, swap regular breadcrumbs for gluten-free ones. This lets everyone enjoy this dish. You can also make it vegan. Use plant-based cheese and replace eggs with flaxseed meal. Just mix one tablespoon of flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit until it thickens.
Occasions for Serving
These cheesy mashed potato puffs are perfect for many events. Serve them at parties for a fun snack. They are great on game days for your guests. You can even enjoy them at family meals. Everyone loves a tasty, cheesy treat!
For the full recipe, check out the details above.
Storage Info
How to Store
To keep your cheesy mashed potato puffs fresh, wait for them to cool first. Then, place them in an airtight container. This helps them stay moist and tasty. Use a glass or plastic container with a tight lid. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Just make sure to separate them with parchment paper. This stops them from sticking together.
Reheating Instructions
When reheating, keep the texture in mind. The oven is best for this snack. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the puffs on a baking sheet for about 10-15 minutes. This method helps them stay crispy. If you use a microwave, they might get soggy. Heat at medium power for 1-2 minutes. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. Enjoy your cheesy mashed potato puffs warm and crispy!
FAQs
Can I use fresh mashed potatoes instead of leftover?
Yes, you can use fresh mashed potatoes. However, I suggest chilling them first. Cold mashed potatoes work better in this recipe. They hold their shape and help the puffs stay firm. If you use warm potatoes, your puffs may turn out too soft and mushy.
How do I know when the puffs are done baking?
Check the color and texture of the puffs. They should be golden brown on the outside. The texture should be crispy. If they look pale or soft, give them a few more minutes in the oven. Remember, the perfect puff is crunchy outside and soft inside.
Can Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze these puffs. First, let them cool completely. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to eat, thaw them in the fridge overnight. Bake them again at 400°F until heated through. Enjoy your tasty snack!
For the complete recipe, check out the [Full Recipe].
Cheesy mashed potato puffs are simple and fun to make. We covered the key ingredients and steps, ensuring your puffs are tasty and crispy. Remember, using chilled potatoes helps a lot! Be creative with flavors and serving ideas for any occasion. Lastly, store them correctly to enjoy leftovers later. With these tips, you’ll impress everyone with your delicious cheesy puffs. Enjoy your cooking journey and delight in the smiles you’ll create!
![- 2 cups mashed potatoes - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 2 large eggs - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plus extra for coating) - 1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - Salt and pepper to taste - Oil spray for frying For these cheesy mashed potato puffs, I love using leftover mashed potatoes. They work best when chilled. The creamy texture blends well with the cheeses. Sharp cheddar gives a tasty kick, while Parmesan adds depth. You will need two large eggs to bind the mixture. This helps keep the puffs from falling apart. The breadcrumbs add a nice crunch. You can use regular or panko breadcrumbs, depending on what you have. Chopped green onions add a fresh flavor. Garlic powder gives a little zing. Don't forget salt and pepper to enhance all the tastes. Lastly, oil spray is important for that golden brown finish. This mix of ingredients makes these puffs so yummy and satisfying. You can find the full recipe above to guide you through making them! - Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps the puffs not stick and makes cleanup easy. - In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of chilled mashed potatoes, 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup of finely chopped green onions, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until well mixed. The mixture should hold together well. - Scoop out a portion of the mixture, about the size of a golf ball. This helps the puffs cook evenly. - Shape the mixture into small balls or puffs. You can use your hands for this. It can be a fun task, and you can even get the kids involved! - Roll each puff in extra breadcrumbs to coat them. This gives them a crispy outside. - Place the coated puffs on the baking sheet, spaced out evenly. Make sure they aren’t touching each other. - Lightly spray the puffs with oil. This helps them brown nicely while baking. - Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes. Look for a golden brown color and crispy texture. Enjoy making these cheesy mashed potato puffs! For the full recipe, be sure to check out the detailed steps and tips. Using chilled mashed potatoes is key. Cold potatoes help the puffs hold their shape. Room temperature or warm potatoes can make them too soft. This can lead to puffs that flatten when baked. So, always use leftover mashed potatoes that you kept in the fridge. To achieve a crispy outer layer, roll each puff in breadcrumbs twice. First, coat the puffs gently with breadcrumbs before baking. Then, give them a light spray of oil. This oil helps the breadcrumbs crisp up nicely. Do not skip this step if you want that perfect crunch! For dipping sauces, think about sour cream or spicy ketchup. These add great flavor and balance the cheese. You might also enjoy a zesty ranch or a chipotle mayo. Each sauce brings a new taste to the puffs. When serving, present them in a rustic basket lined with parchment paper. This adds a nice touch. It also makes the puffs easy to grab. For a fun twist, add fresh herbs or a sprinkle of paprika on the top before serving. This gives a pop of color and flavor. One common mistake is overmixing the ingredients. This makes the puffs dense and heavy. Mix just until everything is combined. This keeps them light and airy. Another mistake is underbaking or overbaking the puffs. Check them after 20 minutes. They should be golden brown and crispy. If they are still pale, give them a few more minutes. But don’t overbake! You want them crispy, not dry. {{image_2}} You can easily change the taste of your cheesy mashed potato puffs. Start by adding herbs like parsley or chives. These add fresh flavors and color. You can also spice it up with paprika or cayenne for heat. For cheese, try different types. Mozzarella gives a gooey texture. Feta brings a tangy bite. Mix two or more cheeses for a complex flavor. If you're gluten-free, swap regular breadcrumbs for gluten-free ones. This lets everyone enjoy this dish. You can also make it vegan. Use plant-based cheese and replace eggs with flaxseed meal. Just mix one tablespoon of flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit until it thickens. These cheesy mashed potato puffs are perfect for many events. Serve them at parties for a fun snack. They are great on game days for your guests. You can even enjoy them at family meals. Everyone loves a tasty, cheesy treat! For the full recipe, check out the details above. To keep your cheesy mashed potato puffs fresh, wait for them to cool first. Then, place them in an airtight container. This helps them stay moist and tasty. Use a glass or plastic container with a tight lid. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Just make sure to separate them with parchment paper. This stops them from sticking together. When reheating, keep the texture in mind. The oven is best for this snack. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the puffs on a baking sheet for about 10-15 minutes. This method helps them stay crispy. If you use a microwave, they might get soggy. Heat at medium power for 1-2 minutes. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. Enjoy your cheesy mashed potato puffs warm and crispy! Yes, you can use fresh mashed potatoes. However, I suggest chilling them first. Cold mashed potatoes work better in this recipe. They hold their shape and help the puffs stay firm. If you use warm potatoes, your puffs may turn out too soft and mushy. Check the color and texture of the puffs. They should be golden brown on the outside. The texture should be crispy. If they look pale or soft, give them a few more minutes in the oven. Remember, the perfect puff is crunchy outside and soft inside. Yes, you can freeze these puffs. First, let them cool completely. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag. When you're ready to eat, thaw them in the fridge overnight. Bake them again at 400°F until heated through. Enjoy your tasty snack! For the complete recipe, check out the [Full Recipe]. Cheesy mashed potato puffs are simple and fun to make. We covered the key ingredients and steps, ensuring your puffs are tasty and crispy. Remember, using chilled potatoes helps a lot! Be creative with flavors and serving ideas for any occasion. Lastly, store them correctly to enjoy leftovers later. With these tips, you'll impress everyone with your delicious cheesy puffs. Enjoy your cooking journey and delight in the smiles you'll create!](https://homecookingstyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/b99d0e3c-1b6f-4efc-9b8f-6f23174b3ac0-250x250.webp)