If you find yourself with leftover mashed potatoes, skip the regular reheat and transform them into these crispy, creamy, cheesy, fried mashed potato balls!
Whether you've got Thanksgiving leftovers or just regular Monday night mashed potatoes, these revamped potato balls are the answer to what to do with them.
I love transforming Thanksgiving leftovers into other dishes. In the days following Thanksgiving, I tend to not prepare big meals but rather snack on repurposed leftovers, sandwiches, soups and light bites.
Some examples of those are my Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders, Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole, Turkey and Apple Panini and Leftover Turkey Hash.
These fried mashed potato balls will be the appetizer hit of any party but they are also a nice change up for a weeknight dinner side dish. They pair perfectly alongside air fryer chicken thighs or air fryer steak!
📋Ingredients needed
See the printable recipe card at bottom of page for measurements and complete list.
- Mashed potatoes - prepared
- Cheese - parmesan is what I use but you can totally change up the flavor profile by changing the cheese
- Breadcrumbs - panko crumbs give the better crunch but if you only have traditional crumbs you can use them.
- Spices - garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and paprika
- Produce - chives and garlic
- Flour - all purpose
🍽️ Additional ingredient ideas
If you want to change up the flavors try using one or more of the following in the filling:
- cooked bacon
- leftover baked ham
- mix some prepared stuffing into the mashed potatoes
- shredded turkey
- ¼ of a mozzarella stick in the center of the mashed potato mixture
- cheddar cheese cube in the center of the mashed potato mixture
- ranch seasoning
🔪Instructions
Combine mashed potatoes, egg, garlic, cheese and chives in a bowl.
Form mixture into balls. Place on parchment.
Roll each ball first in the flour, then egg and then coat well with the breadcrumbs. Once coated, fry in oil.
I like to sprinkle with a little salt as soon as they come out of the oil. It is just something that my mom taught me to do when I make chicken cutlets and so I salt everything right when it comes out of the oil.
Yes! Simply prepare as the recipe states but instead of frying, place balls in an air fryer, spray them with oil and air fry at 370 F for 8 to 10 minutes.
Bake in a 400 F oven for 5 to 10 min until crisp or in an air fryer at 370 F for 5 to 10 min until heated through.
If you find yourself with leftover risotto, be sure to check out my recipe for arancini!
Printable Recipe Card
Mashed Potato Balls
Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes cold
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Breading / Coating
- ½ cup flour all-purpose
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups panko crumbs
- 1 teaspoon dry Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika can use regular paprika is preferred
Frying
- Avocado, vegetable or other suitable frying oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine mashed potatoes, parmesan, garlic, egg, chives, salt and pepper until mixture is smooth.
- Roll mixture into balls, using approximately 1 tablespoon of potato mixture per ball. Set aside on a parchment lined plate or tray.
- Create a breading station with three shallow bowls or containers. Place flour in one bowl. Place the eggs in another bowl and beat the eggs. In the third bowl, place the panko, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Roll each potato ball first into flour, then in the egg and finally through the panko mixture. Be sure the panko mixture coats the ball completely. Set the coated balls aside again.
- Heat about 2 inches of oil in a heavy bottomed pan to 350℉. Fry the balls, in batches, being sure not to overcrowd the pan (NOTE 1) for approximately 3 to 4 minutes, until golden and crispy. Using a slotted spoon, remove balls and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Serve warm as is or with a dipping sauce (warm marinara, garlic aioli, ranch or brown gravy).
Mary says
I used a mix of panko and regular Italian crumbs and they came out great!