Fried Mashed Potato Balls: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

Fried Mashed Potato Balls: Prepare to experience a culinary revelation! Imagine the comforting, creamy goodness of mashed potatoes transformed into golden-brown, crispy spheres of pure delight. These aren’t your grandma’s mashed potatoes (unless your grandma is secretly a culinary genius!). We’re taking comfort food to a whole new level with this irresistible appetizer or side dish.

While the exact origins of fried mashed potato balls are somewhat shrouded in mystery, the concept of repurposing leftover mashed potatoes is a time-honored tradition in many cultures. Think of the Irish potato cakes or the Italian potato croquettes – resourceful cooks have long known the secret to transforming humble spuds into something truly special. This recipe builds upon that legacy, offering a fun and flavorful twist on a classic.

What makes these little bites so addictive? It’s the perfect contrast of textures: a crunchy, golden exterior giving way to a soft, pillowy interior. The savory flavor of the mashed potatoes, often enhanced with cheese, herbs, and spices, is simply irresistible. Plus, they’re incredibly versatile! Serve them as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce, as a side dish alongside roasted chicken or steak, or even as a fun snack for game day. Get ready to discover why everyone loves these crispy, creamy, and utterly delicious fried mashed potato balls!

this Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs Russet Potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1/2 cup Milk (whole milk recommended for richness)
• 4 tbsp Butter, unsalted
• 1/4 cup Sour Cream
• 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Chives
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
• Salt and Black Pepper to taste
• 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 2 large Eggs, beaten
• 2 cups Panko Bread Crumbs
• 2 cups Vegetable Oil, for frying
• Optional: Dipping Sauce of your choice (e.g., Ranch, Sriracha Mayo, Marinara)

Preparing the Mashed Potatoes:

Alright, let’s get started with the heart of our fried mashed potato balls – the mashed potatoes themselves! This is where we lay the foundation for deliciousness, so pay close attention to the details.

1. Boiling the Potatoes: Place the peeled and quartered potatoes in a large pot. Cover them with cold water – make sure the water level is at least an inch above the potatoes. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water. This seasons the potatoes from the inside out. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let the potatoes simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are fork-tender. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork without much resistance.
2. Draining the Potatoes: Carefully drain the potatoes in a colander. Make sure to get rid of all the water! Excess water will make your mashed potatoes watery and difficult to work with when forming the balls.
3. Mashing the Potatoes: Return the drained potatoes to the pot. Now, it’s time to mash them! You can use a potato masher, a ricer, or even an electric mixer. If using a masher, work the potatoes until they are mostly smooth, but don’t over-mash them, as this can make them gummy. If using a ricer, you’ll get incredibly smooth potatoes. If using an electric mixer, be very careful not to over-mix – just blend until smooth and creamy.
4. Adding the Dairy and Seasonings: While the potatoes are still hot, add the milk, butter, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, chives, garlic powder, and onion powder. The heat from the potatoes will help melt the butter and cheese, making it easier to incorporate everything. Stir everything together until well combined and the potatoes are smooth and creamy.
5. Seasoning to Taste: Now, taste the mashed potatoes and season with salt and black pepper to your liking. Remember, you can always add more seasoning, but you can’t take it away! So, start with a little and adjust as needed.
6. Cooling the Mashed Potatoes: This is a crucial step! Once the mashed potatoes are seasoned to perfection, spread them out in a shallow dish or on a baking sheet. This will help them cool down faster and more evenly. Cover the dish with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly onto the surface of the potatoes to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate the mashed potatoes for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling process is essential for making the mashed potatoes firm enough to form into balls.

Forming and Coating the Potato Balls:

With our chilled mashed potatoes ready, we can now move on to forming and coating the potato balls. This part can get a little messy, but it’s also quite fun!

1. Setting up the Breading Station: Prepare a breading station with three shallow dishes. In the first dish, place the all-purpose flour. In the second dish, whisk the eggs until well combined. In the third dish, place the panko bread crumbs.
2. Forming the Potato Balls: Take a spoonful of the chilled mashed potatoes (about 1-2 tablespoons) and roll it between your palms to form a ball. The size is up to you, but I find that smaller balls (about 1-inch in diameter) cook more evenly. Place the formed potato ball on a clean plate or baking sheet. Repeat this process until all the mashed potatoes have been formed into balls.
3. Coating the Potato Balls: Now, it’s time to coat the potato balls in our breading station. Take one potato ball at a time and gently roll it in the flour, making sure it’s completely coated. Shake off any excess flour. Next, dip the floured potato ball into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully submerged. Let any excess egg drip off. Finally, roll the egg-coated potato ball in the panko bread crumbs, pressing gently to help the crumbs adhere. Make sure the entire ball is covered in bread crumbs. Place the breaded potato ball back on the clean plate or baking sheet. Repeat this process for all the potato balls.
4. Optional Second Coating: For an extra crispy and secure coating, you can repeat the egg and bread crumb steps. This is especially helpful if you’re planning to freeze the potato balls before frying.
5. Chilling the Breaded Potato Balls (Optional): For best results, place the breaded potato balls in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before frying. This will help the breading adhere better and prevent it from falling off during frying.

Frying the Potato Balls:

Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for – frying these little golden nuggets of potato goodness! This is where the magic happens, so let’s make sure we do it right.

1. Heating the Oil: Pour the vegetable oil into a deep pot or Dutch oven. You want enough oil to fully submerge the potato balls. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches a temperature of 350-375°F (175-190°C). You can use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test the oil by dropping a small piece of bread into it. If the bread turns golden brown in about 30-60 seconds, the oil is ready.
2. Frying the Potato Balls: Carefully add the breaded potato balls to the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot. Overcrowding will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy potato balls. Fry the potato balls for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides.
3. Removing and Draining: Use a slotted spoon or spider to carefully remove the fried potato balls from the oil. Place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. This will help them stay crispy.
4. Serving: Serve the fried mashed potato balls immediately while they are hot and crispy. They are delicious on their own, but even better with your favorite dipping sauce! Ranch dressing, Sriracha mayo, marinara sauce, or even a simple aioli are all great options.

Tips and Variations:

Want to take your fried mashed potato balls to the next level? Here are a few tips and variations to try:

• Add Cheese to the Center: Before forming the potato balls, press a small cube of cheese (such as cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack) into the center of each ball. This will create a melty, cheesy surprise when you bite into them.
• Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the mashed potatoes for a little kick.
• Herb Infusion: Experiment with different herbs in the mashed potatoes. Rosemary, thyme, or parsley would all be delicious additions.
• Garlic Lovers: Roast a head of garlic and mash it into the potatoes for an intense garlic flavor.
• Bacon Bits: Add crispy bacon bits to the mashed potatoes for a smoky, savory flavor.
• Air Fryer Option: If you prefer a healthier option, you can air fry the potato balls instead of deep-frying them. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Spray the breaded potato balls with cooking spray and air fry for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
• Freezing for Later: Fried mashed potato balls can be frozen for later enjoyment. After breading the potato balls, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them for at least 2 hours, or until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to eat, you can fry them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Conclusion:

And there you have it! These Fried Mashed Potato Balls are truly a must-try recipe, transforming humble leftover mashed potatoes into a crispy, golden, and utterly irresistible treat. I know what you’re thinking – mashed potatoes can be a bit… well, boring. But trust me, this recipe elevates them to a whole new level of deliciousness. The creamy, flavorful interior combined with the satisfying crunch of the fried exterior is a textural masterpiece that will have everyone reaching for seconds (and thirds!).

What makes these little spheres of potato perfection so special? It’s the simplicity, really. With just a handful of ingredients and a straightforward process, you can create a dish that’s both comforting and impressive. They’re perfect as a side dish for your next family dinner, a fun appetizer for a party, or even a satisfying snack on a cozy night in. Plus, they’re a fantastic way to use up leftover mashed potatoes, minimizing food waste and maximizing flavor!

But the fun doesn’t stop there! Feel free to get creative with your serving suggestions and variations. For a classic pairing, serve them alongside a juicy steak or roasted chicken. Drizzle them with a creamy garlic aioli or a tangy sriracha mayo for an extra kick. Or, for a more sophisticated touch, try serving them with a dollop of truffle oil and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Looking for variations? Oh, the possibilities are endless! Mix in some shredded cheddar cheese and chopped bacon for a cheesy, savory delight. Add some finely diced jalapenos for a spicy twist. Or, for a vegetarian option, incorporate some sauteed mushrooms and onions into the mashed potato mixture. You could even experiment with different coatings – try panko breadcrumbs for an extra crispy texture, or a mixture of parmesan cheese and herbs for a more flavorful crust.

Serving Suggestions:

* Alongside grilled steak or chicken
* As an appetizer with dipping sauces like aioli or sriracha mayo
* As a side dish for holiday meals
* As a fun and unique snack

Variations:

* Cheesy Bacon Potato Balls: Add shredded cheddar cheese and chopped bacon to the mashed potato mixture.
* Spicy Jalapeno Potato Balls: Incorporate finely diced jalapenos for a spicy kick.
* Mushroom and Onion Potato Balls: Sauté mushrooms and onions and add them to the mashed potato mixture.
* Parmesan Herb Crusted Potato Balls: Coat the potato balls in a mixture of parmesan cheese and herbs before frying.

I truly believe that these Fried Mashed Potato Balls will become a new favorite in your household. They’re easy to make, incredibly delicious, and endlessly customizable. So, what are you waiting for? Gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to experience the magic of fried mashed potatoes!

I’m so excited for you to try this recipe! And more importantly, I’d love to hear about your experience. Did you make any variations? What dipping sauces did you use? What did your family and friends think? Please, share your thoughts and photos in the comments below. Your feedback is invaluable, and it helps me create even better recipes for you in the future. Happy cooking, and enjoy your crispy, golden, and utterly delicious Fried Mashed Potato Balls! I can’t wait to hear all about it!