Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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FRIED MASHED POTATO BALLS loaded with bacon, cheese, and onions are perfect for Thanksgiving leftovers! Put those leftover potatoes to good use and fry up some cheesy mashed potato bites. These loaded mashed potato balls make the ultimate appetizer or side dish!

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

Fried Mashed Potato Balls

Fried Mashed Potato Balls are the perfect way to use up leftovers from Thanksgiving. Fry up some loaded mashed potato bites filled with cheese, bacon, and onions!

These Fried Mashed Potato Balls are coming at you in honor of all those Thanksgiving leftovers. I hope everyone had a fabulous and filling holiday like we did. I’m still stuffed! We had SO MUCH FOOD (Thanks Mom!) and now have SO MANY leftovers. Just the way I like it.

But now…what to even do with those leftovers? There are tons of recipes out there detailing what to do with all that extra turkey, but what about the other stuff? This year we had gobs and gobs (gobbles and gobbles?) of mashed potatoes, and I knew just what I wanted to do with them. Turn them into deep fried mashed potato bites, of course!

These Loaded Mashed Potato Balls are the ultimate appetizer or side dish, and the perfect cheesy way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. Just because Thanksgiving is over doesn’t mean we can’t still eat amazing food!

Deep Fried Mashed Potato Balls are the best way to use up leftover potatoes from Thanksgiving.

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (3)

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (4)

Cheesy Mashed Potato Bites

It’s no secret I’m a HUGE cheese lover, and these Fried Mashed Potato Balls are simply LOADED with cheese. Use good quality shredded cheese, it makes all the difference!

Whether it’s baking a hearty cheese casserole in the winter, grilling up a cheeseburger in the summer, or sharing snacks after school, cheese makes every meal and every moment better. I know it does with these Loaded Mashed Potato Bites. That chunk of cheese in the middle of each bite is just too heavenly!

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (5)

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (6)

Loaded Mashed Potato Balls

These Deep Fried Loaded Mashed Potato Balls take leftovers from drab to fab in just minutes, and they are SO EASY. to make. Yes, your hands will get a bit dirty, but it’s VERY worth it. When you bite into that cheesy goodness, I know you’ll agree!

What’s in these fried mashed potato balls?

  • Lots and lots of cheese!
  • Bacon
  • Onions
  • Mashed Potatoes (use leftovers or make the mashed potatoes ahead of time)

You really can’t go wrong with these amazing cheesy mashed potato bites! Just like loaded mashed potatoes or a loaded baked potato, but in a deep fried ball. How can you resist, the combination of cheese, potatoes, and bacon? I know I can’t!

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (7)

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (8)

How to Make Fried Mashed Potato Balls

Deep frying anything sounds intimidating, but these fried mashed potato balls are simple. Start with your leftover mashed potatoes, mix in all the extras (bacon, cheese, onions), scoop the potatoes into balls, dip them in breadcrumbs, then fry them up in a large pot or dutch oven on the stove top.

To fry them, just drop the loaded mashed potato balls into hot oil for about 2-3 minutes, then use a slotted spoon to remove them.

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (9)

I hope you had a delicious Thanksgiving filled with friends, family, and amazing food! Now, on to CHRISTMAS!

Watch the Video and See the recipe card below for details on how to make Loaded Fried Mashed Potato Balls. Enjoy!

If you like these mashed potato bites, try these other recipes:

  • Loaded Baked Potato Soup
  • Fried Potato Cakes
  • Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
  • Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
  • Perfect Baked Potato Recipe
  • Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
  • Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

Recipe

Fried Mashed Potato Balls

4.72 from 49 votes

Author: Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 20 minutes minutes

Total: 30 minutes minutes

Serves8

Print Rate

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FRIED MASHED POTATO BALLS loaded with bacon, cheese, and onions are perfect for Thanksgiving leftovers! Put those leftover potatoes to good use and fry up some cheesy mashed potato bites. These loaded mashed potato balls make the ultimate appetizer or side dish!

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (11)

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Ingredients

  • 3 cups leftover or pre-prepared mashed potatoes, cold
  • 1 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions
  • 3/4 cup cooked bacon crumbles
  • 8 ounces Colby Jack cheese cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1/2 cup panko style bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Oil for frying

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, shredded cheddar, onions, and bacon. Use an ice cream scoop to form 1 inch balls, rolling with your hands to create the shape. Push 1 colby jack cube into the center of each ball, and then re roll the mashed potato mixture around it to make it round again. Place on a plate and repeat with the rest of the mashed potatoes. Set in the fridge for 30 minutes to set.

  • In a shallow bowl, place the egg. In another shallow bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, parmesan, and salt and pepper.

  • Start by dipping each ball into the egg mixture, shaking off the excess, and then rolling in the panko mixture. Pat to make sure the panko adheres well and that the mashed potatoes are fully covered. Set back on the plate and set aside.

  • Heat a large pot or dutch oven with about 2-3 inches of oil to 375F.

  • Carefully drop in the mashed potato balls 3-4 at a time into the hot oil, allowing them to be fully submerged. Use a slotted spoon to lightly stir as they fry to make sure they don't stick to the bottom or sides of the pot. Fry each for 2-3 minutes or until they are fully browned and crispy. Use the slotted spoon to remove from the oil and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining mashed potato balls until they are all fried.

  • Serve while hot and enjoy!

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 392kcal (20%) Carbohydrates: 23g (8%) Protein: 21g (42%) Fat: 23g (35%) Saturated Fat: 13g (81%) Cholesterol: 85mg (28%) Sodium: 855mg (37%) Potassium: 208mg (6%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 1g (1%) Vitamin A: 1205IU (24%) Vitamin C: 1.7mg (2%) Calcium: 445mg (45%) Iron: 1.2mg (7%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (12)

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (13)

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FAQs

How to make potato balls deep fried? ›

Mix together the flour, milk, egg and salt to make the batter. Gently dip mashed potato balls in batter, being careful that all exposed potato is coated with batter. Deep fry in hot oil until golden-brown.

Why do people add sour cream to mashed potatoes? ›

Sour cream adds a little bit of tangy flavor and a boost of richness to mashed potatoes. It's a fun change from the standard milk or cream and butter combo usually flavoring mashed taters. You can even try your hand at making homemade sour cream from heavy cream!

Why do mashed potatoes get gummy? ›

When potatoes are mashed, starch is released. The more you work the potatoes, the more starch gets released. When too much starch gets released, the potatoes become gummy, gluey, and unappetizing.

Why are my potato balls falling apart when I fry them? ›

Expert Tip: To prevent the potato balls from falling apart during frying, make sure the mashed potato mixture is well-combined and compacted before shaping into balls.

Why do you soak potatoes in water before deep frying? ›

The main reasons to cut the potatoes and pre-soak in water are: To allow the excess starches and sugars to be removed from the outer surface of the fry strips AND to keep the potatoes from browning prematurely from exposure to air. Covering in water helps the potato from turning a dark color.

Is cream cheese or sour cream better in mashed potatoes? ›

The Secret To The Creamiest Mashed Potatoes

Sour Cream: The sour cream helps keep the mashed potatoes fluffy. Cream Cheese: Adding the cream cheese creates smoothness. Type of Whisk: Using the whisk attachment for your mixer is key to getting the creamiest mashed potatoes.

Why do people put an egg in their mashed potatoes? ›

Adding egg yolks to a pot of mashed potatoes is an easy, dairy-free texture and taste upgrade that doesn't require any special techniques. The yolks harbor all the flavorful fats and emulsifying components and will thus effectively unify the fat and water in potatoes, translating to a smoother, uniformly creamy pot.

What does adding cream of tartar to mashed potatoes do? ›

Warm Heavy Cream – gives mashed potatoes a super creamy consistency. Butter (room temperature) – adds flavor and creaminess. Cream Cheese (room temperature) – adds rich, tangy flavor and smoothness. Cream of Tartar – makes mashed potatoes smooth and fluffy and helps achieve almost a meringue-like consistency.

Is milk or water better for mashed potatoes? ›

Milk – It smooths the starchy potatoes into an incredibly creamy mash. Use whole milk for the creamiest results.

What should you avoid when making mashed potatoes? ›

The 7 Biggest Mistakes You Make With Mashed Potatoes
  1. You Don't Wash Potatoes First. ...
  2. You Use Just One Type of Potato. ...
  3. You Don't Season the Water. ...
  4. You Add Potato Pieces to Boiling Water. ...
  5. You Use the Wrong Gadget to Mash the Potatoes. ...
  6. You Only Use Butter. ...
  7. You Make the Potatoes Too Soon.
Jun 15, 2021

Why add baking soda to mashed potatoes? ›

Directions. Throw just a pinch of ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda into potatoes while mashing to make them fluffier.

What kind of potato is best for mashed potatoes? ›

The best potatoes for mashed potatoes are a starchy varieties like russet, Idaho or Yukon gold. Starchy potatoes are best for mashed potatoes because they have a fluffy, almost airy texture that breaks down easily.

Why do restaurant mashed potatoes taste better? ›

Garlic and herbs are added to boost flavor

Instead of boiling a few potatoes and mashing them plain, a lot of restaurant chefs like to apply a little more finesse. Garlic and herbs infused in butter and cream add a flavor boost without overpowering.

Should you rinse potatoes before mashing? ›

Soaking and/or rinsing the potatoes can help you modify the amount of starch that remains on them. Cutting potatoes into smaller pieces before cooking and rinsing them under cold water will wash away much of the excess starch.

Do you need to boil potatoes before deep-frying? ›

A properly made fry must hit the oil twice--once at a lower temperature, and then again at 350 degrees Fahrenheit--to get the perfect creamy interior and crunchy exterior. Before all that, though, the secret is to briefly poach them in boiling water (or "blanch" them) before they go into the hot oil.

What do you soak potatoes in before frying? ›

Use russet potatoes and soak them in lukewarm water with a couple tablespoons of sugar for 1 hour. It will remove even more starch and make then taste better and crispier.

Should you dry potatoes before deep-frying? ›

When potatoes are cut and exposed to air, they release water and begin to soften. By rinsing them with cold water, you help the cells retain some of their firmness, ensuring a better texture in the final product. Before frying the potatoes, make sure to dry them thoroughly with a paper towel or a clean cloth.

Should I boil potato chips before frying? ›

Parboil the chips in boiling salted water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until soft but keeping their shape. Drain in a colander and leave to steam until completely dry – this is very important before frying. Heat a deep-fryer to 180°C or fill a deep saucepan to three-quarters full with vegetable oil over a high heat.

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