Fried Mashed Potato Balls 

These Fried Mashed Potato Balls are crispy golden bites filled with creamy, cheesy leftover mashed potatoes—perfect for turning yesterday’s side into today’s appetizer. Packed with melty cheese, savory herbs, and a satisfying panko crust, they fry up to perfection in about 25 minutes. Ideal for parties, game days, or as a fun snack, these potato balls offer bite-sized comfort. Cool your mashed potatoes, mix in flavorful add-ins, shape into balls, coat, and fry—then enjoy hot with your favorite dip. A deliciously creative way to breathe new life into leftovers! 

Ingredients

• 1½ cups cold mashed potatoes (preferably from the fridge)
  
  

• ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  
  

• 1 Tbsp chopped chives or green onions
  
  

• ¼ tsp garlic powder
  
  

• Salt & pepper, to taste
  
  

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  
  

• 1 large egg, beaten
  
  

• ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
  
  

• Vegetable oil, for frying
  
  

• Optional: cooked crumbled bacon (¼ cup), or extra cheese cubes for filling
  
  

Directions

1. Prepare filling: In a bowl, combine cold mashed potatoes, cheddar, chives, garlic powder, salt & pepper. If too soft, chill or add extra flour
   
   

2. Form balls: Scoop ~2 tablespoons mixture and roll into 1-inch balls. Chill on a tray for 10–15 minutes to firm.
   
   

3. Coat: Set up three bowls: flour, beaten egg, and panko. Dredge each ball in flour, dip in egg, then coat with panko.
   
   

4. Fry: Heat oil (~2 inches) to 350–375 °F. Fry balls in batches for 2–3 minutes, turning once, until evenly golden. Drain on paper towels.
   
   

5. Serve: Sprinkle with salt and extra chives while hot. Serve immediately with dips like sour cream, ranch, or marinara
   
   

Nutrients (per ball; yields ~15 balls)

• Calories: ~67 kcal
  
  

• Carbohydrates: 3 g
  
  

• Protein: 1 g
  
  

• Fat: 4 g (Saturated ~1 g)
  
  

• Sodium: 55 mg
  
  

• Fiber: 0.2 g