(24 Servings)
This time of year, are you like me and looking for easy appetizers that are crispy, cheesy, and budget-friendly? These Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls are the perfect way to use leftover mashed potatoes and turn them into a crowd-pleasing snack. Made with simple pantry ingredients and cooked to golden perfection in the air fryer, these potato balls are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and filled with melty cheddar cheese. They’re ideal for holiday parties, game day, or cocktail hour, and they are best when made ahead and frozen for stress-free entertaining.
You Will Need:
- About 1 ¼ pounds of leftover mashed potatoes
- 3 eggs, divided
- About 3 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- Parsley, for garnishing
- Ketchup, for serving
Instructions:
- Cut the cheddar into 24 cubes.
- Warm the mashed potatoes in the microwave just to soften them a little.
- Add 1 egg, season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.
- Set up a breading station, placing the flour in a dish. Whisk the other two eggs with a teaspoon of water in another dish. In a third dish, mix the panko, parmesan, and oregano. Season all three dishes liberally with salt and pepper.
- Roll the potato mixture into 24 balls, placing a cheese cube in the center of each one. I use THIS to make the portions the same.
- Bread each ball by rolling first in flour, then egg, then the panko mixture. Set the balls on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Cook for about 5-7 minutes in the air fryer at 375 degrees, tossing a couple of times, until hot and golden brown.
- Serve with a sprinkle of parsley and ketchup for dipping (or any dip you choose).
To make ahead:
This recipe can be made well in advance by placing the baking sheet of rolled balls into the freezer. Freeze for a few hours, once they are frozen solid, transfer to a zip top freezer bag or container. Cook in the air fryer without thawing, allowing a couple of extra minutes of cooking time as needed.
