Baked instead of fried, these mashed potato balls are crunchy on the outside, and filled with creamy melted cheese on the inside. An irresistible side dish, or even a crowd pleasing appetizer.
POTATOES + CHEESE = PERFECT SIDE DISH!
Potatoes are probably my all time favorite side dish. I’ll eat them roasted, mashed, fried, scalloped . . . I’ve never met a potato I didn’t love!
These potato cheese balls are an extra special dish, and most people have never tried them. My family loves them, and I don’t make them nearly enough.
It is awesome to cut through the crunchy crust and find the melty cheese in the middle. Simply scrumptious!
A GREAT WAY TO USE LEFTOVER MASHED POTATOES
I hardly ever end up with leftover mashed potatoes, because no matter how much I make, my family seems to eat them all. Haha.
But if you have leftover potatoes, they will work perfectly in this recipe. And it will come together even faster. Just make sure you add an egg yolk, it helps the potatoes set up as they bake. You will need about 4 cups.
Just in case you are like me and don’t have mashed potatoes hanging out in your fridge, the recipe includes the instructions for making the mashed potatoes.
HOW TO MAKE POTATO BALLS
- PREP – Spray muffin cups with non stick cooking spray.
- COOK POTATOES – Peel and cube potatoes. Boil in salted water until fork tender. Drain well and mash with salt, pepper, butter, and milk. Let cool slightly and mix in the egg yolk.
- CHEESE & TOPPING – Cut cheese into 3/4-1″ cubes; set aside. Place melted butter in one shallow dish, and bread crumbs in another. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- FORM BALLS – Scoop about 1/4 cup of mashed potatoes. Flatten and place a cube of cheese in the center and wrap the potatoes around it. Try to seal it as well as possible so the cheese doesn’t leak out. Repeat with all the potatoes.
- COAT – Dip the potato balls in butter, than roll in bread crumbs. Place each ball in a muffin cup.
- BAKE – Bake at 425° for about 20 minutes or until outside is browned and cheese is melted.
Can I fry these potato balls instead?
Yes, you can fry them. Heat about an inch of oil to 375° in a skillet. Fry the potato balls in the hot oil for about 3 minutes, turning until all sides are browned.
How to cook potato cheese balls in an air fryer
You can cook the potatoes in an air fryer at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes. I like to turn them halfway through cooking so they crisp evenly.
VARIATIONS:
- Add crisp bacon bits to the mashed potato mixture.
- Stir in some diced green onions, green peppers, or even corn to the potatoes.
- Love spice? Add chopped jalapeno peppers to the potatoes and use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar. You can even add some cayenne pepper to the bread crumbs.
- If you don’t want to add the cheese, the potato balls are still tasty on their own.
- Add some very finely shredded parmesan cheese to the bread crumbs.
MORE POTATO RECIPES:
- Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes
- Cheesy Potatoes au Gratin
- Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
- Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef
- Chicken and Potatoes
- Potato Bacon Corn Chowder
- Chicken Casserole with Mashed Potatoes
Mashed Potato Balls Recipe
Ingredients
For mashed potatoes:
- 4 medium potatoes
- 2 Tbsp salted butter
- ¼ cup milk more if needed
- ½ tsp salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 egg yolk
Filling & Topping:
- 6 ounces cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup salted butter melted
- ¾ cup seasoned bread crumbs
Instructions
- Peel and cube potatoes. Boil in salted water till tender. Drain and mash with 1/2 tsp salt (more or less), butter, milk, and pepper. Cool slightly and add egg yolk. (They should be fairly stiff.) Let cool slightly.
- Cut cheese into 1" cubes. Place melted butter in a shallow bowl, and bread crumbs in another shallow bowl.
- Shape about 1/4 cup of mashed potatoes around each cheese cube. Roll in melted butter, then crumbs.
- Place each potato ball in a greased muffin cup. Bake at 425° for about 15-20 minutes or till golden brown. Potatoes should be crunchy on the outside, the cheese should be melted on the inside.
Notes
- Since potatoes are different sizes, you may end up with more or less potato balls.
- You can use leftover mashed potatoes instead of making them. You will need about 4 cups.
Nutrition
We love these as it, but you can always try dipping a potato ball in ranch dressing, marinara sauce, gravy, fry sauce, or any of your favorite dipping sauces.
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These potato balls are so so delish! We usually skip on the cheese because, allergies. But our family cant get enough of them! maybe because its a new way to eat mashed potatoes. lol
Good to know that they are still tasty without the cheese! 🙂
I made these tonight, they were YUMMY!
Okay…who wants to come make me some of these? YUM!
and I just licked my screen. Nice pic!
Well I just forwarded THIS little delicacy to the chef!
These look delicious! I can’t wait to make them! Yummy!
Ooh…I cannot wait to make these! Lol on the 60 lbs of potatoes!!! WOW!!!!
Oooo those look good, I never would have thought to make something like that. What a great and different way to use potatoes.
yum! potato and cheese, two of my favorite things. i bet involving a 3rd favorite-bacon-would be fantastic, too!
These look heavenly!
These look delish, Kara. I am soo trying these. 🙂
I have to try this recipe out! It looks and sounds delish!!!!! Please come be my neighbor so I can have your leftovers!
With four boys we don’t usually have lots of leftovers, but if we lived close, I would totally share with you!! 🙂
Sounds yummy! And I think bacon bits would rock. I’m going to have to add potatoes to my shopping list!
Those sound so yummy…I will have to give it a try.
oh man!!!! Those look AMAZING!!! I love potatoes an cheese!!! This is SO going in my to try collection! DELISH!
Sounds delicious!!! They are definitely getting added to our “Make this soon!” list!
These look good, I’m going to try them, thanks! I hope that the sun cooperates so you can get a picture, I want to see your kitchen. 🙂
I hope the sun shines too, I am sooo ready for winter to be over!
Ooooh…yum! I think some bacon bits thrown in would be a like baked potato party in my mouth!
Bacon bits would be delicious; I’ll have to try that next time! 🙂
Wow…those look delicious!