Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs are mashed potatoes combined with flour, eggs & cheese & baked until puffy & golden brown. These buttery potato poppers are crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside & utterly delicious!
Make this simple potato puffs recipe with under ten ingredients and about 30 minutes of your time, a great dish that your family will love. Potato puffs are a delicious and easy-to-make side dish or appetizer that is perfect for any occasion!
Perfect Potato Puffs
To make these cheesy mashed potato puffs, start by preparing the mashed potatoes according to your favorite recipe or use a box of potato flakes like we did. Once the potatoes are mashed, mix in shredded cheese. Then, scoop the mixture onto a baking sheet and bake until golden brown. The result is a tasty and visually appealing side dish that is sure to impress your guests.
Whether you are hosting a dinner party, a family gathering, or simply looking for a new way to enjoy mashed potatoes, cheesy mashed potato puffs are a must-try recipe. With their crispy exterior and creamy interior, they are sure to become a new favorite in your household.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Potato Recipe
- They are versatile: These puffs are a great side dish for any meal, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They also make a great appetizer for parties or gatherings.
- They are delicious: The combination of mashed potatoes, cheese, and herbs creates a delicious flavor that everyone will love. The puffs are crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside.
- They are customizable: You can add your own twist to this recipe by using different types of cheese or herbs. You can also add bacon, ham, or other ingredients to make them even more flavorful.
Potato Puff Ingredients
Water: You need 1 ⅓ cup of water to make the potato flakes come to the right texture.
Butter: Adding in ¼ cup of salted butter gives these puffs a wonderful rich flavor.
Flour: Use ½ cup of all-purpose flour to help create nice fluffy potato puffs.
Potato flakes: The base of this recipe is ½ cup of potato flakes.
Garlic powder: For great taste, you will want to add in 1 tsp. of garlic powder.
Parsley: 1 tsp. of dry parsley will give these puffs a nice early taste and aroma.
Salt: Balance the many amazing flavors in this recipe by using ½ tsp. of salt.
Eggs: You need 2 eggs to help make the puffs light and fluffy in texture.
Cheese: Adding in 1 cup of shredded Colby Jack cheese will make these puffs incredibly cheesy and delicious.
How to make Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs
Prep
Get started by lining a cookie sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper and set it aside. Then, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Make potatoes
Next, in a saucepan over medium heat, add the water and butter. Stir until the butter is melted and the mixture is boiling.
Proceed to add the flour, potato flakes, garlic powder, dry parsley, and salt. Keep cooking on medium heat while constantly mixing until all the ingredients are incorporated and it has formed a ball.
Now remove the pan from the heat.
Continue to add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well in between each.
After that, sprinkle the cheese and mix until the cheese is evenly incorporated into the potato mixture.
Bake
Using a medium 1.5 TBSP cookie scoop, scoop the mixture and place the balls on the prepared cookie sheet, keeping 1 ½ inches in between each.
Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese puffs have a nice golden color.
Let the potato bites rest for 1 to 2 minutes on the pan. Serve and Enjoy!
Variations and Substitutions for Potato Puffs
Cheese Varieties: When it comes to cheesy mashed potato puffs, the cheese variety used can make a significant difference in the taste and texture of the dish. While cheddar cheese is the most common choice, there are many other options to consider, such as:
- Parmesan
- Gouda
- Mozzarella
- Blue cheese
- Feta
Additional Flavorings: In addition to cheese and potato varieties, there are many other flavorings that can be added to the mashed potato puffs to enhance their taste. Here are a few options to consider:
- Herbs: Rosemary, thyme, and sage can add a fragrant and savory taste to the dish.
- Spices: Paprika, cumin, and chili powder can provide a smoky and spicy flavor to the dish.
- Vegetables: Chopped onions, garlic, and bell peppers can add a crunchy texture and savory taste.
CHEESY MASHED POTATO PUFFS
Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ cup water
- ¼ cup salted butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup potato flakes
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dry parsley
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
- Make potatoes: In a saucepan over medium heat, add the water and butter. Stir until the butter is melted and the mixture is boiling.
- Add the flour, potato flakes, garlic powder, dry parsley, and salt. Keep cooking on medium heat while constantly mixing until all ingredients are incorporated and it has formed a ball.
- Remove pan from the heat, than add eggs, one at a time, mixing well in between each.
- Sprinkle the cheese and mix until the cheese is evenly incorporated into the potato mixture.
- Bake: Using a medium 1.5 TBSP cookie scoop, scoop the mixture and place the balls on the prepared cookie sheet, keeping 1 ½ inches in between each. You should get about 20 puffs.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese puffs have a nice golden color.
- Let the potato bites rest for 1 to 2 minutes on the pan. Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Tips & Tricks for making Potato Puffs
When making cheesy mashed potato puffs, there are a few things to consider to ensure a wonderful outcome of this dish.
- A common mistakes people make when making mashed potato puffs is overmixing the potatoes. When you overmix the potatoes, they can become gummy and tough, ruining the texture of your dish. To avoid this, be sure to mash the potatoes just until they are smooth and creamy. You can also mix in the other ingredients by hand to avoid overmixing.
- When mixing the flour and potato flakes in the water butter mixture I like using my Danish dough whisk as the mixture does not get stuck in the middle like a regular whisk. You can use a regular whisk but I would recommend a mixing spoon.
- Allowing the potatoes to cool before mixing in the other ingredients is crucial to the success of this dish. If you mix in the other ingredients while the potatoes are still hot, the cheese can melt and the eggs can cook, resulting in a lumpy and unappetizing texture. To avoid this, be sure to let the potatoes cool for at least 10 minutes before mixing in the other ingredients.
- If you don’t have a cookie scoop, no worries, you can use 2 soup spoons, scoop with one and release the potatoes with the second one. You could also put the mixture into a piping bag or a Ziplock bag and cut the corner.
How long are these potato puffs good for?
Cheesy mashed potato puffs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, it is best to consume them within the first 24 hours for optimal taste and texture.
Can you freeze left over cheesy potato puffs?
Yes, these potato puffs can be frozen for up to 2 months. To freeze, simply place them in an airtight container or freezer bag and store in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat in the oven or microwave.
How do you make stuffed potato puffs?
To make stuffed potato puffs, simply spoon a small amount of filling (such as cooked bacon, sautéed onions, or shredded cheese) into the center of each mashed potato ball before rolling in breadcrumbs and baking.
What kind of cheese is best for mashed potatoes?
The best cheese for mashed potatoes is a soft, creamy cheese such as cheddar, mozzarella, or cream cheese. These cheeses melt easily and add a rich, creamy texture to the mashed potatoes.
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Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs are made with simple ingredients that make already be in your kitchen and pantry. This potato side dish is a perfect combination of soft fluffy center and crispy outside, making for a delightful dish!
Bette J Mcnally says
I was wondering if these can be made in an air fryer not just reheated in an air fryer? They look delicious!
Jessica says
I’ve not tried cooking them in an air fryer…