Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Mashed Potato Balls Recipe
Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Mashed Potato Balls are a delicious and easy-to-make snack or appetizer perfect for using up leftover mashed potatoes. These golden, crunchy bites feature sharp cheddar cheese mixed into creamy mashed potatoes, coated in panko breadcrumbs, and air fried to perfection for a crispy exterior with a soft, cheesy center. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce for a crowd-pleasing treat that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 potato balls
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Mashed Potato Mixture
- 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes at room temperature
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 large egg, whisked
Coating
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Non-stick cooking spray
Optional
- Dipping sauce of choice
- Garnishes: diced onion, parsley, or chives
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the leftover mashed potatoes, whisked egg, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture is uniform.
- Form Potato Balls: Using a cookie scoop, portion out the mixture and form into balls, placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet for easy handling.
- Chill the Balls: Place the formed potato balls in the refrigerator for 20 minutes up to one hour to help them firm up and hold their shape during cooking.
- Coat with Panko: Remove the potato balls from the refrigerator. Roll each ball in panko breadcrumbs evenly and place them back on the parchment-lined tray. For extra crispiness, lightly spray with cooking spray and roll again in panko if desired.
- Prepare Air Fryer: Spray the air fryer basket or insert with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange the potato balls in a single layer with space around each one to allow air circulation and prevent overcrowding.
- Air Fry the Potato Balls: Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Cook the balls for 10 minutes total, turning them halfway through at 5 minutes to ensure even crisping. Cook until they are crispy and golden brown on the outside.
- Serve: Once cooked, transfer the potato balls to a cooling rack to prevent sogginess. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce and garnish with diced onion, parsley, or chives as desired.
- Alternative Oven Method: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Place prepared potato balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, turning once halfway through the cooking time until crispy and golden. Cool on a rack and serve as above.
Notes
- If using refrigerated mashed potatoes, warm them slightly in the microwave or on the stovetop to room temperature before mixing.
- For extra crunchy coating, spray the panko-coated potato balls lightly with cooking spray and roll again in panko breadcrumbs before air frying.
- Customize flavors by experimenting with different cheeses, herbs, and spices mixed into the potatoes.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure all potato balls cook evenly and get crispy. Cook in batches if necessary for smaller air fryers.
