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.