Description
Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs: Crispy, creamy bites of potato and cheese heaven. Quick, comforting, crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups mashed potatoes, cold (leftover potatoes work perfectly)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs (1 for mixture, 1 for egg wash)
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for brushing
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare your work station by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, combine your cold mashed potatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, softened cream cheese, one beaten egg, and sour cream. Mix until well incorporated but take care not to overmix, which can make your Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs dense rather than fluffy.
- Step 2: Add the seasonings like chopped chives, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to your potato mixture. Fold in the ingredients gently until everything is evenly distributed. The herbs and spices will infuse the mixture with flavor while maintaining that light, airy texture we’re aiming for.
- Step 3: Incorporate the flour by sprinkling it over your potato mixture and folding it in until just combined. The flour acts as a binding agent that helps your puffs hold their shape during baking. Your mixture should be firm enough to roll into balls but still soft and pillowy.
- Step 4: Bread the puffs by setting up your breading station with beaten egg in one shallow dish and panko breadcrumbs in another. Use a tablespoon or small ice cream scoop to portion the mixture into 1½-inch balls. Roll each ball between your palms to smooth it, then dip in the beaten egg, allowing excess to drip off. Roll in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure they adhere completely.
- Step 5: Bake the puffs by placing the breaded Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Lightly brush or spray each puff with vegetable oil to help them achieve that perfect golden-brown color. Bake in your preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until the puffs are beautifully golden and crisp on the outside.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 puff
- Calories: 120 calories per serving
- Sugar: 1g sugar
- Sodium: 250mg sodium
- Fat: 7g total fat
- Saturated Fat: 3g saturated fat
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g unsaturated fat
- Trans Fat: 0g trans fat
- Carbohydrates: 10g total carbs
- Fiber: 1g fiber
- Protein: 4g protein
- Cholesterol: 35mg cholesterol