Fried Mashed Potato Balls

**For Stovetop:**

1. In a large bowl, mix mashed potatoes with cooked bacon, cheddar, chives, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
2. Set up two shallow bowls, one with beaten eggs and the other with panko breadcrumbs.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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:**

1. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels and crumble into a large bowl.
2. Combine crumbled bacon with mashed potatoes, cheddar, chives, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Set up two shallow bowls with beaten eggs and panko breadcrumbs.
4. Use a scoop to form potato balls, then coat them in egg and panko as described above.
5. 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.
6. Season with salt immediately before serving. Enjoy your crispy, cheesy bacon potato balls!