Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls Recipe
If you’re searching for the ultimate party appetizer or a creative way to use up leftover mashed potatoes, look no further than Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls. These bites are little golden orbs of crispy, cheesy bliss, featuring a fluffy potato center, a crunchy panko coating, and melty cheddar in every bite. They come together with a handful of ingredients and a few minutes in the air fryer, making them the go-to snack for busy weeknights, game day gatherings, or whenever you need a comforting treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls lies in their simplicity: every ingredient plays a role in flavor, texture, or that irresistible crispy crust. Stick to this core lineup for maximum delight, and feel free to swap for preferred cheeses or spices to make them your own.
- Cold mashed potatoes: Firm, chilled mashed potatoes hold their shape best and are perfect for rolling into balls.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully and provides that key cheesy stretch in every bite.
- Chopped green onions: Add freshness, a pop of color, and just the right hint of zing to balance the cheese.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for enhancing all the savory flavors—season to your preference.
- Garlic powder: Brings a subtle depth and warmth that complements the potatoes.
- Paprika: Lends a warm color and a gentle smokiness to the potato mixture.
- All-purpose flour: Helps the eggs and breadcrumbs adhere, ensuring a sturdy coating.
- Large eggs, beaten: Acts as the glue between the flour and panko layers for a crispy crust.
- Panko breadcrumbs: The secret ingredient to that super-crunchy, golden exterior.
- Cooking spray or a drizzle of oil: Gives the coating an extra boost of crispness in the air fryer.
How to Make Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls
Step 1: Mix the Potato Base
In a large mixing bowl, gently combine your cold mashed potatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mixing with your hands is the most effective way to incorporate everything evenly. You’re looking for a mixture that feels firm enough to shape without sticking to your hands—if it’s too loose, pop it in the fridge to chill for another ten minutes before moving forward.
Step 2: Shape into Balls
Scoop out heaping tablespoons of the potato mixture and roll them into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. You should get around sixteen balls, depending on how generous your scoops are. Don’t worry about making them perfect—rustic and hand-formed is part of the charm! Line them up on a tray or plate as you go.
Step 3: Dredge and Bread
Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with the flour, one with the beaten eggs, and the last with panko breadcrumbs. Working one at a time, roll a potato ball in flour (shaking off the excess), dip it in the egg, and then gently coat it in panko, pressing the crumbs on so they adhere. This triple-layer is your ticket to crunchy Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls with serious texture.
Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and let it preheat for a couple of minutes. Meanwhile, lightly grease the basket or tray with cooking spray or a drizzle of oil—this prevents sticking and helps get those exteriors extra golden.
Step 5: Arrange and Air Fry
Carefully place the breaded potato balls into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure there’s a little space between each one. To get that signature crunch, give the tops a light spritz with cooking spray. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking or turning the balls halfway through. They’re ready when they’re gloriously crisp and deep golden brown, with cheese just begging to ooze out.
How to Serve Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls
Garnishes
For a splash of color and flavor, sprinkle your Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls with extra chopped green onions or fresh parsley just before serving. A dusting of paprika or a little grated Parmesan also makes them pop. If you want to get saucy, offer a side of sour cream or your favorite ranch dressing for dipping—your guests will thank you!
Side Dishes
These potato balls shine as an appetizer or snack, but they also work beautifully alongside a crisp salad for lunch or with roasted vegetables and grilled proteins for a fun take on dinner. Their savory, creamy-cheesy interior pairs well with tangy slaws or anything crunchy to contrast the soft center.
Creative Ways to Present
Pile your Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls onto a rustic wooden board or arrange them in a mini muffin tin for a playful party presentation. Serve them skewered with cocktail picks for an effortless finger-food feel, or make it interactive with a dipping station featuring sauces like buffalo, honey mustard, and spicy ketchup.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow manage to have leftovers, let your Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to three days. They’ll stay crisp if you reheat them properly—no one wants a soggy potato ball!
Freezing
To freeze, arrange the cooled potato balls in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer them to a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container, and they’ll keep for up to two months. This makes it so easy to have cheesy potato goodness on standby for unexpected guests or snack emergencies.
Reheating
For best results, reheat the balls straight from the fridge or freezer in your air fryer at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes, or until piping hot and re-crisped. Microwaving is quick, but it sacrifices the crunch—so stick with the air fryer whenever possible.
FAQs
Can I use instant mashed potatoes instead of homemade?
Yes! As long as they’re firm and well-chilled, instant mashed potatoes work beautifully in this recipe. They’re a great shortcut, especially if you’re whipping these up at the last minute.
What other cheese varieties work well?
Try mozzarella for gooey stretch, pepper jack for a hint of heat, or even a bit of crumbled feta for tang. It’s fun to experiment—just make sure the cheese is shredded or chopped small to blend easily with the potatoes.
How do I keep the potato balls from falling apart?
The key is using cold, stiff mashed potatoes and not over-mixing once you add the cheese and seasonings. Chilling the formed balls for a few minutes before breading can also help them hold their shape.
Can I bake these instead of air frying?
Absolutely. Arrange the breaded balls on a lined baking sheet, spray with cooking oil, and bake at 425°F for about 15 minutes, turning halfway through. They won’t get quite as crispy as air frying, but they’re still delicious!
Are Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls gluten-free?
They’re not gluten-free as written, but easy swaps make them so: use a gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free panko or crushed rice cereal for breading, and check your mashed potatoes to be sure no gluten-containing ingredients were added.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re hosting friends, feeding family, or just craving a crispy, cheesy snack, Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen. Give them a try and don’t be surprised if they disappear faster than you can air fry another batch!
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Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 16 balls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls are a delightful way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these savory bites make a perfect appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls:
- 2 cups cold mashed potatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Coating:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Cooking spray or a light drizzle of oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese, green onions, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well, then shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls. This will ensure even distribution of flavors in each bite.
- Place the flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs into three separate shallow bowls. This will create an assembly line for coating the potato balls.
- Roll each potato ball in the flour, then dip into the eggs, and finally coat with panko breadcrumbs. Ensure each ball is evenly coated for a crispy exterior.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Preheating ensures even cooking and crispiness.
- Lightly grease the air fryer basket or tray. This prevents sticking and helps achieve a golden brown finish.
- Arrange the potato balls in a single layer without overcrowding. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking.
- Air fry for 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. Shaking ensures even cooking and browning.
- Serve hot and enjoy these delicious cheesy mashed potato balls!
Notes
- Use leftover mashed potatoes that are firm and well-chilled for best results.
- You can substitute the cheddar with mozzarella or pepper jack for a different flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 balls
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
