If you’re searching for a fun, crowd-pleasing way to transform simple spuds into something truly special, Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs are about to become your new obsession. Imagine the creamy comfort of leftover mashed potatoes blended with melty cheddar, a hint of green onion, and a crisp, golden exterior—all perfectly portioned into adorable puffs. This recipe is every bit as irresistible as it sounds, making it a must for brunches, snacks, and cozy dinners with friends or family. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll look for any excuse to whip up a batch (or two) of these delightful bites!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs come together with a handful of humble ingredients, each playing a deliciously important role. Each one enhances the texture and flavor, giving you that cheesy, comforting, and slightly crisp bite every time.
- Mashed Potatoes: Cold or leftover mashed potatoes are perfect—using them gives these puffs their creamy center and makes prepping even faster.
- Egg: This is the binder that helps hold the puffs together, creating a soft and fluffy bite.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds that ooey-gooey melted cheese flavor and stretches gorgeously as you break open each puff.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Brings a nutty sharpness and helps the tops brown beautifully in the oven.
- Chopped Green Onions: These little flecks add pops of freshness and color, with just the right bit of zing.
- Garlic Powder: Gives a subtle underline of savory flavor, making every bite more aromatic.
- Salt: Essential for amplifying all the rich flavors; adjust to taste, especially if your mashed potatoes are already seasoned.
- Black Pepper: Adds a gentle kick and rounds out the flavor profile perfectly.
- Nonstick Spray or Butter: Keeps those puffs from sticking to the muffin tin, so they pop out easily and stay picture-perfect.
How to Make Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by heating your oven to 400°F (200°C), so it’s good and hot by the time your puffs go in. Take a 12-cup muffin tin and coat each cup lightly with nonstick spray or a bit of butter—this little step is crucial for getting those signature crispy-edged Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs out with ease.
Step 2: Mix the Flavor-Packed Filling
Grab a large mixing bowl and bring together your cold mashed potatoes, egg, shredded cheddar, Parmesan, green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Give everything a thorough mix so the ingredients are evenly distributed and the mixture looks beautifully flecked with cheese and green. This is where all those flavors start to meld.
Step 3: Fill the Muffin Tin
Divide the potato mixture evenly between the muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters of the way. Use the back of a spoon to gently level or slightly flatten the tops—this helps them bake up uniformly so every Cheesy Mashed Potato Puff comes out looking and tasting divine.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide your tin into the hot oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges are crisp and golden and the tops have developed an irresistible color. Let the puffs cool in the tin for about five minutes, then gently loosen and lift each one out. Prepare yourself for little bites of cheesy heaven!
How to Serve Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs
Garnishes
For an extra pop, sprinkle your Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs with freshly sliced green onions or chives. A dollop of sour cream on the side never hurt, or even a pinch of smoked paprika for a subtly smoky finish. These small touches make each puff restaurant-worthy.
Side Dishes
Pair your puffs with a crisp green salad, a bowl of tomato soup, or roasted vegetables for a full meal. They also shine on a brunch table next to eggs or as a complement to anything grilled or roasted. The versatility here means you can fit Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs into any meal, any time.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve them as party appetizers with cute toothpicks, stack them high for a dramatic side dish presentation, or nestle a few into a bento box lunch. For the holidays, arrange them in a wreath shape on a platter and garnish with pomegranate seeds and herbs. The possibilities for wow-factor are endless!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs left (lucky you!), let them cool completely. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge, where they’ll happily keep for up to three days. They’re fantastic for lunchboxes or snack attacks later in the week.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze these treats. Line them up on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container—this keeps them from sticking together. Whenever you crave a puff, just pull out as many as you need!
Reheating
For best texture, reheat Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs in a hot oven (about 375°F) or a toaster oven for 8 to 10 minutes, which brings back that gorgeous crispness. If you’re in a hurry, a few minutes in the air fryer also works. The microwave will warm them, but they’ll be a little softer—still tasty, just missing that crunch.
FAQs
Can I use instant mashed potatoes for this recipe?
Absolutely! As long as your instant mashed potatoes are thick and firm (not too runny), they’ll hold up beautifully in this recipe. It’s a great way to speed things up or make Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs even when you don’t have leftovers.
What’s the best cheese for mashed potato puffs?
Cheddar is a classic for its meltiness and flavor, but you can get creative! Try shredded mozzarella for a stretchier puff, Swiss or Gruyère for richness, or even a spicy pepper jack for a little kick. Mixing up the cheeses makes each batch unique.
How can I make these gluten-free?
Good news—this recipe is naturally gluten-free as written! Just double-check that your nonstick spray or any added ingredients are certified gluten-free if you have sensitivities or allergies.
Can I add extra mix-ins, like bacon or herbs?
Definitely! Chopped cooked bacon, fresh chopped herbs (like parsley or dill), or even a handful of sautéed vegetables can be stirred in for extra flavor and texture. This recipe is wonderfully flexible and welcomes your favorite add-ins.
How do I prevent the puffs from sticking to the muffin tin?
Be generous with your greasing—use nonstick spray, softened butter, or even parchment muffin liners if you want extra insurance. Letting them cool slightly before removing also helps the crispy edges firm up, so each Cheesy Mashed Potato Puff pops right out.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs enough for anyone who loves comfort food with a twist. They’re impossibly easy to make, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to get people talking—if only to ask for the recipe! Give them a try, and don’t be surprised if they become a regular highlight at your table.
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Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 puffs 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs are a delightful way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. Crispy on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside, they make a perfect side dish or snack.
Ingredients
Mashed Potato Puffs:
- 2 cups mashed potatoes (cold or leftover)
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- nonstick spray or butter (for greasing muffin tin)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick spray or butter.
- Mix ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, egg, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until fully incorporated.
- Fill the muffin tin: Spoon the potato mixture evenly into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about ¾ full. Use the back of a spoon to slightly flatten the tops.
- Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the edges are crispy. Let cool in the tin for 5 minutes before carefully removing with a spoon. Serve warm, garnished with extra green onions or sour cream if desired.
Notes
- Great for using up leftover mashed potatoes.
- You can add chopped bacon, herbs, or different cheeses for variety.
- These freeze well—just reheat in the oven or air fryer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 puff
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
