What could be better than transforming your leftover mashed potatoes into crispy, cheesy bacon balls bursting with flavor? These bite-sized treats capture all the deliciousness of loaded mashed potatoes but in a fun, snackable form. In just 25 minutes, you’ll have a delightful appetizer that’s perfect for shaking up your usual mashed potato routine or adding a playful twist to your holiday spread. Whether you’re looking to use up Thanksgiving leftovers or add some excitement to your meal, these crispy balls are a winner!
Fried Mashed Potato Balls
- 3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
- 3 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
- 2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons thinly sliced chives
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 1 1/3 cups panko bread crumbs
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
**For Stovetop:**
- In a large bowl, mix mashed potatoes with cooked bacon, cheddar, chives, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Set up two shallow bowls, one with beaten eggs and the other with panko breadcrumbs.
- Use a small scoop to form 1″ to 2″ balls of mashed potato mixture. Roll each ball in your hands, dip first in egg, then in panko, ensuring they’re fully coated.
- Heat 3″ of oil in a large cast iron skillet until it reaches 375°F. Fry the potato balls in batches until golden and crispy all over, about 2 to 3 minutes per batch.
- Transfer the fried potato balls to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Season with additional salt while they’re still warm.
**For Air Fryer:**
- Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels and crumble into a large bowl.
- Combine crumbled bacon with mashed potatoes, cheddar, chives, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Set up two shallow bowls with beaten eggs and panko breadcrumbs.
- Use a scoop to form potato balls, then coat them in egg and panko as described above.
- Arrange the coated potato balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 375°F until the panko is golden brown, approximately 10 minutes.
- Season with salt immediately before serving. Enjoy your crispy, cheesy bacon potato balls!
