Fried Mashed Potato Balls | Leftover Mashed Potato Recipe | Mantitlement (2024)

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These Fried Mashed Potato Ballsare super creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside! A perfect appetizer recipe for using up leftover mashed potatoes!

Leftovers of our Perfectly Smooth Mashed Potatoes are what we use to make these crispy, fried potatoes balls! Dip them in your favorite dipping sauce or our famous Awesome Sauce!

Fried Mashed Potato Balls | Leftover Mashed Potato Recipe | Mantitlement (1)

Leftover Mashed Potatoes Transformed!

When we make mashed potatoes, we make a lot. I don’t think we ever make less than the five pound bag of potatoes, I mean what’s the point?

If you’re going through the trouble of peeling, boiling and ricing potatoes you might as well make a LOT. Mashed potatoes are good in your refrigerator for at least a few days of meals, and then there are leftover recipes like these Fried Mashed Potatoes.

All you need to make this appetizer recipe is your leftover mashed potatoes, bread crumbs and a couple of eggs. And yes, if you don’t happen to have leftover potatoes, you can still make these fried potato balls!

Just grab pre-made mashed potatoes at the grocery store, there are a few brands that make really good mashed potatoes right in the butcher department at the store.

Fried Mashed Potato Balls | Leftover Mashed Potato Recipe | Mantitlement (2)

Can You Use Instant Mashed Potatoes For This Appetizer Recipe?

I knew you were going to ask that, so here’s the short answer. Nope. Sorry! First of all, I’m not a fan of instant mashed potatoes. They might have their place in certain recipes, I won’t deny that.

But for just straight up eating? I’d rather skip it or at least buy the good packaged kind at the store. But for this recipe specifically, instant mashed potatoes will be too loose and too smooth so these fried mashed potatoes will just fall apart on you when you go to fry them up.

Also, instant mashed potatoes have a thinner consistency that aren’t going to work the best for these Fried Mashed Potato Balls. We’re looking for thick, creamy mashed potatoes to get a “ball” that’s going to hold together.

Can You Bake These Mashed Potato Balls?

Again, nope.

Sorry but this appetizer recipe requires a good old fashioned fried recipe. Don’t be afraid of the deep fry my friends! No need to get fancy with your equipment, just a heavy deep pot and a fry thermometer, if you have one. Otherwise, you can drop a bread cube into the oil to test it, if it browns up in 10 seconds your oil is good for frying.

Do invest in a thermometer though if you can. They are very inexpensive and we use it for so many different recipes!

Fried Mashed Potato Balls | Leftover Mashed Potato Recipe | Mantitlement (3)

Can You Make These Fried Potatoes Ahead Of Time?

You can, I’ll give you a yes on this one! But not too long ahead…

You can keep these mashed potato balls in the oven (350 degrees) to keep warm while you are frying them and up to a couple of hours in advance. If you are keeping them warm for an hour or two, lower the oven temperature to 300 degrees. They’ll still be nice and crispy!

Looking For More Appetizer Recipes?

  • Crock Pot (Lighter) Buffalo Chicken Dip
  • Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings
  • Roasted Tomato Basil Pizza

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    Fried Mashed Potato Balls | Leftover Mashed Potato Recipe | Mantitlement (4)

    Fried Mashed Potatoes

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 4 reviews
    • Author: Dan
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: 30 1x

    Print Recipe

    This leftover mashed potato recipe makes super creamy and super crispy appetizers!

    Scale

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups leftover mashed potatoes (or store bought, pre-made)
    • 3 oz. cream cheese, softened
    • 2 tablespoons chives, chopped
    • 3 eggs, beaten
    • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
    • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 cup bread crumbs
    • 1 cup flour
    • Vegetable or canola oil for frying

    Instructions

    1. Start heating a large, deep pot filled halfway with oil over medium heat until it reaches 350 degrees.
    2. While the oil is heating, mix together the mashed potatoes, cream cheese, chives, one egg, parmesan cheese, the garlic powder, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
    3. Roll into balls about the size of a golf ball and set on a board.
    4. In three bowls set out the bread crumbs, flour and the remaining 2 eggs beaten with a tablespoon of water.
    5. Dip each mashed potato ball into the flour first, shaking off the excess, then into the beaten egg, letting the excess drip off, and then last into the bread crumbs.
    6. Once your oil reaches about 350 degrees, start frying the balls in batches, not overcrowding the pot as you fry.
    7. Fry for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and then remove to a paper towel lined board or plate.
    8. While still warm, top with extra salt and parmesan cheese.

    Recipe Notes

    You can keep these in the oven on low (250º) for about 30 minutes to an hour if you want to make them ahead of time.

    Nutrition information is approximate, it will depend on the recipe that you used for the mashed potatoes.

    • Category: Appetizers
    • Method: Fry
    • Cuisine: American

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    Fried Mashed Potato Balls | Leftover Mashed Potato Recipe | Mantitlement (2024)

    FAQs

    How to make potato balls deep fried? ›

    Directions
    1. Place mashed potatoes in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Stir in the egg, cheese, onions and bacon. Shape into 1-in. balls; roll in bread crumbs. ...
    2. In an electric skillet, heat 1 in. oil to 375°. Fry potato balls, a few at a time, until golden brown, 2-1/2 to 3 minutes.
    Jun 30, 2023

    Why are my potato balls falling apart when I fry them? ›

    If your potatoes are too wet and not enough flour was used, the potato dough will fall apart as it fries. So make sure to try and cut the potatoes into 1 inch slices, drain the potatoes immediately and completely when they are tender, and the measure the flour properly.

    How do you thicken mashed potatoes for frying? ›

    You can use what you have on hand: Flour, cornstarch, or powdered milk are all solid options that are probably already in your pantry. Potato flour and potato starch would work as well. Stir in the thickening agent gradually, about a tablespoon at a time, until the potatoes have reached your desired consistency.

    What does adding an egg to mashed potatoes do? ›

    The yolk emulsifies water and fat to create a cohesive, velvety bite, while providing a little fat and body of its own. What is this? You can add an egg yolk to nearly any existing mashed potato recipe.

    What happens if you don't soak potatoes before frying? ›

    Soaking potatoes in water helps remove excess starch. Excess starch can inhibit the potatoes from cooking evenly as well as creating a gummy or sticky texture on the outside of your potatoes. Cold water is used because hot water would react with the starch activating it, making it harder to separate from the potatoes.

    Do you need to boil potatoes before deep frying? ›

    Yes. Or you could try frying at a lower temperature or microwave. If you don't pre cook before frying, you will get potatoes that are cooked on the outside but raw on the inside. The pre-cooking will ensure that the potatoes will be light and fluffy on the inside and golden an crispy on the outside.

    Why is it important to dry potatoes before frying? ›

    Excess moisture can cause hot oil to splatter and can also hinder the fries from crisping up evenly. Patting them dry ensures that the oil adheres to the surface of the fries evenly, resulting in a more consistent golden color and crispy texture.

    How do you keep mashed potatoes from lumping? ›

    Unwanted lumps are a result of mashing undercooked potatoes, so the key to avoiding lumps is cooking the potatoes correctly. Make sure that your potatoes are all cut roughly the same size so they cook at the same rate. And unlike pasta, potatoes should be started in cold water.

    Will egg thicken mashed potatoes? ›

    Add Egg Yolks For Richer And Creamier Homemade Mashed Potatoes. Eggs are an almighty staple with multifaceted culinary powers that can thicken, flavor, emulsify, and bind ingredients in countless recipes from baked goods to soups to sauces.

    What happens if I put too much milk in mashed potatoes? ›

    Runny potatoes can happen for a few different reasons. Too much liquid: This is the most common reason. In the mashing process you may have added too much milk or broth. Boiled too long: Boiling your potatoes for too long can make them water-logged, which (you guessed it) can contribute to runny mashed potatoes.

    Can you use instant mashed potatoes to thicken? ›

    Enter instant mashed potato flakes. Add a spoonful of potato flakes at the end of cooking time, and it will thicken things right up. You can even use this trick with foods like roast beef or other slow cooked or pressure cooked meats that have flavorful juices that you want to turn into a gravy-like texture.

    Why add butter before milk in mashed potatoes? ›

    Easy enough, right? However, using the same quantity of milk and butter, but heating them separately and adding the melted butter first to the mashed potatoes, you end up with a butterier tasting potato dish. The fat absorbs into the cells of the potato, which have swelled and pulled apart from one another.

    Is milk or water better for mashed potatoes? ›

    Potatoes are like pasta, in that they leach starches into their cooking liquid. In the case of pasta, you want to reserve some of that liquid to give sauce a luscious shine and bind it to the noodles.

    Why do people add sour cream to mashed potatoes? ›

    Sour cream adds a little bit of tangy flavor and a boost of richness to mashed potatoes. It's a fun change from the standard milk or cream and butter combo usually flavoring mashed taters. You can even try your hand at making homemade sour cream from heavy cream!

    Should you soak raw potatoes before frying? ›

    A: The main reasons to cut the potatoes and pre-soak in water are: To allow the excess starches and sugars to be removed from the outer surface of the fry strips AND to keep the potatoes from browning prematurely from exposure to air. Covering in water helps the potato from turning a dark color.

    Can you deep fry uncooked potatoes? ›

    But frying raw potatoes will probably not bring about the result you want, unless you fry them once for the initial cooking (usually at a lower temperature), let them cool, then re-fry them again at the normal, higher temperature. Potatoes fried once don't turn crispy on the outside.

    Do you have to put potatoes in water before frying? ›

    Soaking potatoes before frying in oil prevents the potatoes from discolouring, washes off starch from the potato surface and drying the potatoes prevents a dangerous reaction from the addition of water to hot oil.

    How to deep fry crispy? ›

    Another trick which is quite common to make the exterior crispy is by using coating. First dip your food properly in the batter and then roll it in bread crumbs or crushed cornflakes. Once the food is coated fully drop it in the oil and fry till it becomes golden brown.

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