Golden Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs Recipe: Crispy Bites of Joy
Comfort food takes a delightful turn with these cheesy mashed potato puffs that promise pure culinary magic.
Crispy edges meet a creamy, soft center in this irresistible side dish.
Leftover mashed potatoes find new life when blended with sharp cheddar and delicate herbs.
These golden-brown bites pack serious flavor and will disappear from the plate in seconds.
Each puff delivers a perfect balance of cheesy goodness and potato comfort.
Fresh from the oven, these morsels are guaranteed to spark smiles and spark conversation around the dinner table.
Let’s find out this simple yet spectacular recipe that transforms humble ingredients into something extraordinary.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: 150 kcal
Servings: 13
What Goes Into Golden Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs
For Base and Binding Ingredients:
Chilled Mashed Potatoes: Creamy foundation that provides smooth texture and helps hold the puffs together.
All-Purpose Flour: Adds structure and helps create a light, crispy exterior.
Large Egg: Binds ingredients and contributes to the puffs' golden, puffy consistency.
For Flavor Enhancers:
Cheddar Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Deliver rich, tangy depth with a sharp, nutty undertone that elevates the potato's mild taste.
Chives: Introduces a mild onion-like freshness and vibrant green color.
Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle, aromatic warmth without overwhelming the other ingredients.
For Seasoning and Final Touch:
Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and highlighting the overall flavor profile.
Grease: Ensures easy release and creates a crisp, golden exterior when baking.
Tools That Make Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs Easy
Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining all ingredients smoothly.
Mini muffin pan: Essential for shaping and baking potato puffs into cute bite-sized treats.
Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient portions.
Grater: Needed for shredding cheddar cheese and grating Parmesan.
Spatula or wooden spoon: Great for mixing potato mixture evenly.
Baking spray: Helps prevent potato puffs from sticking to the pan.
Oven mitts: Protect hands when handling hot muffin pan.
How to Cook Mashed Potato Puffs from Scratch
Oven Preparation Warm up your kitchen by setting the oven to a toasty 400°F, creating the perfect environment for these delectable bites.
Potato Mixture Magic Blend cold mashed potatoes with sharp cheddar, bright chives, a whisper of flour, zesty garlic powder, and a pinch of seasoning until everything melds together smoothly.
Binding Element Crack an egg into the potato mixture, stirring until the texture becomes creamy and unified.
Cheesy Coating Craft small potato spheres with your hands, then roll each one in grated Parmesan for a crispy, tangy exterior. Nestle these little clouds gently into a greased mini muffin pan.
Baking Transformation Place the pan in the heated oven and let the potato clouds transform for 15-20 minutes, waiting until the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown and develop an irresistible crunch.
Serving Moment Pull the pan from the oven, let the clouds rest briefly, then serve these warm, cheesy delights to eager guests.
Flavor Tweaks for Mashed Potato Puff
Pro Tips & Twists
Transform cold mashed potatoes into crispy, cheesy bites that rescue yesterday's side dish and create an exciting new appetizer.
Experiment with different cheese varieties like Gruyère, pepper jack, or blue cheese to create unique flavor profiles that match your mood or menu.
Swap chives for fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or parsley to add unexpected aromatic dimensions and elevate the potato puffs' taste.
For extra crunch, try rolling potato balls in panko breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes before adding Parmesan cheese for a delightful textural surprise.
Prepare the potato mixture in advance and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then bake just before serving to save time during meal preparation.
Serving Mashed Potato Puffs for Any Meal
Party Platter Perfection: Arrange these golden potato puffs on a rustic wooden board with small dipping sauces like herb aioli, tangy ranch, or spicy sriracha for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that'll wow guests.
Brunch Brilliance: Pair these cheesy potato puffs alongside scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and a light green salad for a decadent weekend brunch that transforms a simple side into a star attraction.
Game Day Glory: Serve these bite-sized treats during sports watching parties as a delicious alternative to traditional potato skins, making them perfect finger food that keeps everyone munching and cheering.
Cocktail Companion: Offer these potato puffs as an elegant small plate during evening gatherings, complementing wine, craft beer, or signature cocktails with their crispy exterior and creamy interior.
Keep Potato Puffs Fresh and Flavorful for Later
Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep your golden potato puffs in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Delicate texture stays best when stored away from moisture and strong-smelling foods.
Quick Reheat Magic: Warm these cheesy bites in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispy exterior and maintain that mouthwatering golden crunch. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent soggy results.
Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Prepare the potato mixture up to 24 hours in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. Shape and bake just before serving to ensure maximum flavor and texture. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners or unexpected guests.
Freezer-Friendly Option: Freeze uncooked potato puffs on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for storage up to 1 month. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 3-5 extra minutes to cooking time for perfectly golden results.
Cheesy mashed potato puffs blend creamy potatoes with sharp cheddar and crisp herbs for an irresistible appetizer. Golden-brown edges and fluffy centers make these little bites perfect for gathering friends around delicious comfort fare.
Ingredients
Scale
710 ml (3 cups) mashed potatoes (chilled)
240 ml (1 cup) cheddar cheese (shredded)
120 ml (½ cup) parmesan cheese (grated)
1 egg (large)
60 ml (¼ cup) flour (all-purpose)
60 ml (¼ cup) chives (chopped)
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt (to taste)
Black pepper (to taste)
Grease (for muffin pan)
Instructions
Preparation: Generously coat a mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray, ensuring complete cavity coverage to prevent adhering.
Mixing: In a large bowl, combine cold mashed potatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, chives, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper, blending until ingredients are evenly distributed.
Binding: Introduce a large egg into the potato mixture, stirring thoroughly to create a smooth, cohesive texture.
Forming: Craft compact, bite-sized spheres approximately 1 inch in diameter, rolling each carefully to maintain consistent shape.
Coating: Enrobe each potato sphere in finely grated Parmesan cheese, creating a delicate, crisp exterior layer.
Positioning: Gently place Parmesan-crusted potato balls into the prepared muffin pan, pressing lightly to preserve their rounded configuration.
Baking: Slide the muffin pan into a preheated oven at 400°F, baking for 18-22 minutes until achieving a golden-brown, crispy exterior.
Resting and Serving: Allow potato puffs to settle for 3-4 minutes after removing from oven, then transfer to a serving platter, presenting while warm and perfectly crisp.
Notes
Prevent Sticking Carefully: Generously spray muffin pan to ensure potato puffs release smoothly without breaking.
Maximize Cheese Flavor: Use sharp cheddar for intense tangy notes and Parmesan for crispy, nutty exterior coating.
Temperature Control Matters: Bake at precise 400°F to achieve perfect golden-brown crust without burning delicate potato mixture.
Serve Immediately: Enjoy potato puffs warm to maintain crispy exterior and molten cheese center for maximum taste and texture experience.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.
Oregon State University
Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.
Sophie Reynolds
Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Education
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Oregon State University
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.