Looking for a way to jazz up those leftover mashed potatoes? These air fried mashed potato balls will breathe new life into those leftovers!
Crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these mashed potato balls are the perfect appetizer or snack that you can whip up in under 30 minutes.
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Here’s what you’ll need:
What are mashed potato balls?
Mashed potato balls are usually made with leftover mashed potatoes. These mashed potatoes are rolled into balls, coated with breadcrumbs, and fried to golden brown perfection.
Sometimes, these mashed potato balls are stuffed with cheese for an extra gooey, creamy center. Who doesn’t love a good cheese pull, right?
Why you’ll love these air fried mashed potato balls
Here’s why this recipe is a must-try:
It’s a great way to use leftovers.
If you have leftover mashed potatoes in the fridge, this is a good way to use it while still keeping things interesting! This leftover mashed potatoes in air fryer recipe transforms your leftovers into a scrumptious snack. Nothing boring about these leftovers, folks!
It’s quick and easy.
You can make these air fried goodies in under 30 minutes. Just roll your leftover mashed potatoes into balls and pop them into the air fryer – it’s that simple!
It’s healthy.
Air frying requires far less oil than deep frying, so this recipe is a good choice for those who are health-conscious.
Plus, air frying also means that you don’t have to stand around the stove, babysitting these mashed potato balls. Just pop them into the air fryer, set a timer, and walk away!
You get the best of both worlds.
The best part about mashed potatoes is their creaminess. But sometimes, you also want some crunch for added texture. This recipe produces golden brown air fried mashed potato balls that are satisfyingly crispy on the outside and super creamy on the inside!
It’s vegetarian-friendly.
With just a few ingredients, you can create this vegetarian treat for your loved ones. To make these air fried mashed potato balls vegan: i) substitute eggs with a cornstarch slurry, and ii) omit the cheese, or replace the mozzarella cheese with a vegan cheese of your choice.
Ingredients for air fryer mashed potato balls
You only need a handful of ingredients to make this tasty treat, namely:
1. Mashed potatoes
This is a great way to use up any leftover mashed potatoes! Whether it’s leftover mash from Thanksgiving or from your fast-food takeaway the night before, these leftovers aren’t always very exciting the next day.
This recipe transforms these mashed potatoes into something completely different and exciting.
For this recipe, I use 2 cups of mashed potatoes and this makes about 10 – 12 mashed potato balls, that can serve 3 – 4 people (or 2 very hungry people).
2. Mozzarella
Mozzarella is used to stuff these mashed potato balls. This gives the balls an extra gooey center when people bite into them.
However, this is optional. If you don’t like cheese or prefer to make this vegan, you can omit the mozzarella.
3. Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs are used to coat the mashed potato balls before air frying. It’s this breadcrumb coating that makes these balls crispy.
4. Eggs
The mashed potato balls are dipped into an egg mixture before coating with breadcrumbs to ensure the breadcrumb coating sticks on well.
To make this vegan, you can replace eggs with a cornstarch slurry instead.
5. Seasoning
This crunchy treat is seasoned with salt, black pepper, and paprika. These seasonings are added to the breadcrumbs before coating.
How to make mashed potato balls in air fryer
Here’s a step-by-step guide to making these mashed potato balls:
1. Form balls with the mashed potatoes.
I prefer making large mashed potato balls, around the size of golf balls. For me, they feel heartier this way. You can make them smaller if you prefer. If you do so, reduce the cooking time accordingly.
2. Stuff the mashed potato balls with cheese.
Take each ball, flatten it, add a cube of mozzarella cheese in the middle and fold the sides in neatly before rolling back into balls. This step is optional. If you prefer not to stuff the mashed potato balls with cheese, just skip this step.
3. Coat the mashed potato balls with breadcrumbs.
In a separate bowl, crack the eggs and whisk them. In another bowl, add the breadcrumbs, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
Dip the mashed potato balls into the egg mixture and then coat them with breadcrumbs, one at a time. Once done, set aside.
4. Air fry the mashed potato balls.
Preheat the air fryer to 190°C/375°F for 5 minutes.
Grease the air fryer basket with an oil mister to prevent sticking. Put the mashed potato balls in the air fryer and spray the top of the balls with more oil. Cook for 18 – 20 minutes until golden brown, making sure to turn them halfway through.
5. Finally, serve the air fryer mashed potato balls!
Serve hot with ketchup, chili sauce, or any other condiment of your choice on the side.
How to serve air fryer potato balls
These mashed potato cheese balls make for a great snack or appetizer.
Here are some mains that pair well with this tasty appetizer:
How to store leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
When ready to use, pop any leftover cheesy mashed potato balls into a preheated air fryer for 5 – 7 minutes until heated through.
Can mashed potato balls be frozen?
Yes, they can! They’re a great make-ahead recipe for dinner parties.
Roll, stuff, and coat your mashed potato balls with breadcrumbs before storing them in a freezer-safe container lined with baking paper. If you want to stack these balls one on top of another, use baking paper to separate each layer to prevent sticking.
Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
When ready to use, pop the mashed potato balls right out of the freezer straight into your preheated air fryer for 20 – 25 minutes until golden brown, making sure to turn them halfway through.
Pro tips
Here are some tips for making the perfect mashed potato balls in air fryer:
- Avoid overcrowding your air fryer. You want to arrange the mashed potato balls in a single layer in your air fryer basket, leaving gaps in between. Doing this ensures that your mashed potato balls come out perfectly crisp. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to do this in batches.
- Use an oil mister. Grease your air fryer basket with an oil mister before popping the breaded mashed potato balls inside. This prevents sticking and makes it easy to turn the balls halfway through the cooking time.
Other air fryer recipes you’ll love
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you boil potatoes before air frying?
Yes. Boil your potatoes until they’re tender. Depending on what you’re making, you can either season the boiled potatoes and pop them into the air fryer to crisp up (like these Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes), or make a mash and use the leftovers to make these air fryer potato balls.
Can you heat mashed potatoes in an air fryer?
Yes, you can. Just transfer your leftover mashed potatoes into an air fryer pan and add some butter on top. Pop the pan into your air fryer at 180C/360F for about 5 minutes until heated through.
What to do with leftover mashed potatoes using air fryer?
You can use leftover mashed potatoes to make mashed potato cakes or balls in your air fryer. Stuff with mozzarella cheese for an extra gooey center, and coat with breadcrumbs for a golden, brown and crispy exterior. This is a great way to jazz up boring leftovers.
Can you cook frozen potato balls in air fryer?
Yes, you can. Just preheat your air fryer at 190C/375F for 5 minutes. Grease your air fryer basket with an oil mister to prevent sticking. Pop your frozen potato balls straight out of the freezer into the air fryer.
Cook for 20 – 25 minutes until golden brown, making sure to turn them halfway through
What kind of potato is best for mashed potatoes?
For a fluffy and smooth mash, opt for potatoes with a higher starch content such as Russets or Yukon Gold. Russet potatoes provide a nice and fluffy mash whereas Yukon Gold potatoes give you a creamy mash with a buttery flavor.
Why aren’t my mashed potatoes creamy?
Adding butter and milk to your mash makes it nice and creamy. However, avoid adding cold butter and milk, as the hot potatoes will not absorb them well. Instead, use room temperature butter and warn up your milk on the stovetop before adding to your mash.
Why are my mashed potatoes not fluffy?
This could be because of too much mashing or mixing. Overly vigorous mashing will result in a mash that’s gluey or sticky instead of fluffy. Use a potato ricer to avoid over-mashing and to get fluffy mashed potatoes.
Air Fried Mashed Potato Balls
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 cups mashed potatoes
- ½ cup mozzarella, diced into cubes optional
- 1½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Form golf ball sized balls with the mashed potatoes.
- Next, stuff the mashed potato balls with cheese. Take each ball, flatten it, add a cube of mozzarella cheese in the middle and fold the sides in neatly before rolling back into balls. This step is optional. If you prefer not to stuff the mashed potato balls with cheese, just skip this step.
- In a separate bowl, crack the eggs and whisk them. In another bowl, add the breadcrumbs, paprika, salt and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Dip the mashed potato balls into the egg mixture and then coat them with breadcrumbs, one at a time. Once done, set aside.
- Preheat the air fryer to 190°C/375°F for 5 minutes.
- Grease the air fryer basket with an oil mister to prevent sticking. Put the mashed potato balls in the air fryer and spray the top of the balls with more oil. Cook for 18 – 20 minutes until golden brown, making sure to turn them halfway through.
- Serve hot with ketchup, chili sauce or any other condiment of your choice on the side.
Notes
- This recipe makes about 10 – 12 mashed potato balls.
- Make sure to space out the mashed potato balls in your air fryer. Arrange in a single layer without overlapping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to do this in batches. Doing this helps you get crisp and golden mashed potato balls!
Conclusion
If your family is bored of leftover mashed potatoes, having the right leftover mashed potato recipes in air fryer can be a great way to reuse your leftovers without letting them go to waste!
Just make a big batch whenever you have leftovers and store them in your freezer. Whenever you’re craving something crispy yet creamy, pop a few frozen potato balls straight into your air fryer for a quick and easy snack.
If you tried this recipe, please rate and comment below! We’d love to hear from you.
