Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs are a fun and delicious twist on traditional mashed potatoes! These crispy, cheesy puffs are perfect as a side dish or even a tasty appetizer.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups mashed potatoes (leftover works great, or make fresh!)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of your favorite cheeses)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup sour cream (optional for extra creaminess)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/4 cup green onions or chives, finely chopped (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko, for extra crispiness)
- Cooking spray or extra melted butter (for greasing)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a mini muffin tin or a regular muffin tin with cooking spray or melted butter. This will help the puffs crisp up nicely.
2. Mix the potato mixture:
In a large bowl, combine your mashed potatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, sour cream (if using), melted butter, chopped green onions or chives, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well until smooth and fully combined.
3. Add breadcrumbs:
Gently fold in the breadcrumbs until the mixture is thick but not too dry. The breadcrumbs help give the puffs structure and crispiness as they bake.
4. Spoon into muffin tin:
Using a spoon or a small ice cream scoop, fill the muffin cups with the mashed potato mixture, pressing them down gently. You can fill them up to the top, as they won’t expand too much while baking.
5. Bake:
Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the tops of the potato puffs are golden brown and crispy.
6. Serve:
Let the cheesy mashed potato puffs cool for a minute before carefully removing them from the muffin tin. Garnish with additional chopped chives or parsley if desired.
Tips:
- Make it ahead: These puffs can be assembled in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just bake them right before serving.
- Add-ins: Feel free to add cooked bacon, sautéed onions, or herbs like rosemary or thyme for extra flavor.
- For extra crispiness: You can broil them for the last 2 minutes of baking to get the tops even more golden and crispy!
