Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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FRIED MASHED POTATO BALLS loaded with bacon, cheese, and onions are perfect for Thanksgiving leftovers! Put those leftover potatoes to good use and fry up some cheesy mashed potato bites. These loaded mashed potato balls make the ultimate appetizer or side dish!

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

Fried Mashed Potato Balls

Fried Mashed Potato Balls are the perfect way to use up leftovers from Thanksgiving. Fry up some loaded mashed potato bites filled with cheese, bacon, and onions!

These Fried Mashed Potato Balls are coming at you in honor of all those Thanksgiving leftovers. I hope everyone had a fabulous and filling holiday like we did. I’m still stuffed! We had SO MUCH FOOD (Thanks Mom!) and now have SO MANY leftovers. Just the way I like it.

But now…what to even do with those leftovers? There are tons of recipes out there detailing what to do with all that extra turkey, but what about the other stuff? This year we had gobs and gobs (gobbles and gobbles?) of mashed potatoes, and I knew just what I wanted to do with them. Turn them into deep fried mashed potato bites, of course!

These Loaded Mashed Potato Balls are the ultimate appetizer or side dish, and the perfect cheesy way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. Just because Thanksgiving is over doesn’t mean we can’t still eat amazing food!

Deep Fried Mashed Potato Balls are the best way to use up leftover potatoes from Thanksgiving.

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (3)

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (4)

Cheesy Mashed Potato Bites

It’s no secret I’m a HUGE cheese lover, and these Fried Mashed Potato Balls are simply LOADED with cheese. Use good quality shredded cheese, it makes all the difference!

Whether it’s baking a hearty cheese casserole in the winter, grilling up a cheeseburger in the summer, or sharing snacks after school, cheese makes every meal and every moment better. I know it does with these Loaded Mashed Potato Bites. That chunk of cheese in the middle of each bite is just too heavenly!

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (5)

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (6)

Loaded Mashed Potato Balls

These Deep Fried Loaded Mashed Potato Balls take leftovers from drab to fab in just minutes, and they are SO EASY. to make. Yes, your hands will get a bit dirty, but it’s VERY worth it. When you bite into that cheesy goodness, I know you’ll agree!

What’s in these fried mashed potato balls?

  • Lots and lots of cheese!
  • Bacon
  • Onions
  • Mashed Potatoes (use leftovers or make the mashed potatoes ahead of time)

You really can’t go wrong with these amazing cheesy mashed potato bites! Just like loaded mashed potatoes or a loaded baked potato, but in a deep fried ball. How can you resist, the combination of cheese, potatoes, and bacon? I know I can’t!

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (7)

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (8)

How to Make Fried Mashed Potato Balls

Deep frying anything sounds intimidating, but these fried mashed potato balls are simple. Start with your leftover mashed potatoes, mix in all the extras (bacon, cheese, onions), scoop the potatoes into balls, dip them in breadcrumbs, then fry them up in a large pot or dutch oven on the stove top.

To fry them, just drop the loaded mashed potato balls into hot oil for about 2-3 minutes, then use a slotted spoon to remove them.

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (9)

I hope you had a delicious Thanksgiving filled with friends, family, and amazing food! Now, on to CHRISTMAS!

Watch the Video and See the recipe card below for details on how to make Loaded Fried Mashed Potato Balls. Enjoy!

If you like these mashed potato bites, try these other recipes:

  • Loaded Baked Potato Soup
  • Fried Potato Cakes
  • Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
  • Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
  • Perfect Baked Potato Recipe
  • Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
  • Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

Recipe

Fried Mashed Potato Balls

4.72 from 49 votes

Author: Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 20 minutes minutes

Total: 30 minutes minutes

Serves8

Print Rate

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FRIED MASHED POTATO BALLS loaded with bacon, cheese, and onions are perfect for Thanksgiving leftovers! Put those leftover potatoes to good use and fry up some cheesy mashed potato bites. These loaded mashed potato balls make the ultimate appetizer or side dish!

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (11)

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Ingredients

  • 3 cups leftover or pre-prepared mashed potatoes, cold
  • 1 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions
  • 3/4 cup cooked bacon crumbles
  • 8 ounces Colby Jack cheese cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1/2 cup panko style bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Oil for frying

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, shredded cheddar, onions, and bacon. Use an ice cream scoop to form 1 inch balls, rolling with your hands to create the shape. Push 1 colby jack cube into the center of each ball, and then re roll the mashed potato mixture around it to make it round again. Place on a plate and repeat with the rest of the mashed potatoes. Set in the fridge for 30 minutes to set.

  • In a shallow bowl, place the egg. In another shallow bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, parmesan, and salt and pepper.

  • Start by dipping each ball into the egg mixture, shaking off the excess, and then rolling in the panko mixture. Pat to make sure the panko adheres well and that the mashed potatoes are fully covered. Set back on the plate and set aside.

  • Heat a large pot or dutch oven with about 2-3 inches of oil to 375F.

  • Carefully drop in the mashed potato balls 3-4 at a time into the hot oil, allowing them to be fully submerged. Use a slotted spoon to lightly stir as they fry to make sure they don't stick to the bottom or sides of the pot. Fry each for 2-3 minutes or until they are fully browned and crispy. Use the slotted spoon to remove from the oil and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining mashed potato balls until they are all fried.

  • Serve while hot and enjoy!

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 392kcal (20%) Carbohydrates: 23g (8%) Protein: 21g (42%) Fat: 23g (35%) Saturated Fat: 13g (81%) Cholesterol: 85mg (28%) Sodium: 855mg (37%) Potassium: 208mg (6%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 1g (1%) Vitamin A: 1205IU (24%) Vitamin C: 1.7mg (2%) Calcium: 445mg (45%) Iron: 1.2mg (7%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (12)

Fried Mashed Potato Balls (Loaded Mashed Potato Bites) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (13)

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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 add butter first to 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.

How much mashed potatoes for 13 adults? ›

Plan on 1/3 to 1/2 pound potatoes per person for your feast.

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.

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.

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.

Why do you put vinegar in mashed potatoes? ›

The addition of a mildly acidic vinegar to a starchy veggie like potatoes not only deepens the flavor profile, but it also helps to tenderize the tubers.

What is the purpose of putting an egg in mashed potatoes? ›

Adding egg yolks to a pot of mashed potatoes is an easy, dairy-free texture and taste upgrade that doesn't require any special techniques. The yolks harbor all the flavorful fats and emulsifying components and will thus effectively unify the fat and water in potatoes, translating to a smoother, uniformly creamy pot.

Is it better to use cold butter or melted butter in mashed potatoes? ›

A word about butter: Don't melt butter before stirring it into the potatoes because the milk solids and fat will separate. You can add cold butter to your hot potatoes since the butter will melt as a whole and distribute the fat and milk solids evenly.

Is it better to add cold or hot milk to mashed potatoes? ›

For the very best result every time, always gently warm the butter and milk before adding to the potatoes, rather than adding cold dairy straight from the fridge. Here's why: Warm dairy is absorbed faster and more easily, with less stirring than its cold counterpart.

Why do restaurant mashed potatoes taste better? ›

Instead of regular milk, pro chefs generally use a generous helping of buttermilk and plenty of half-and-half or (even better) heavy cream in their potatoes. If you think the bartenders up front are pouring heavy, they've got nothing on the cooks in the back who are in charge of the mashed potatoes.

How many potatoes is 2 lbs? ›

It depends entirely on the size of the potatoes. With large baking potatoes you may only get 5 or 6 large potatoes. However with small salad potatoes you may well get as many as 60 or so.

What kind of potatoes are best for mashed potatoes? ›

The best potatoes for mashed potatoes are a starchy varieties like russet, Idaho or Yukon gold. Starchy potatoes are best for mashed potatoes because they have a fluffy, almost airy texture that breaks down easily.

How many potatoes is 5 lbs? ›

A standard 5-pound bag of potatoes can contain anywhere from 10 to 15 medium-sized potatoes, while a smaller 2-pound bag might contain 5 to 7 potatoes. Some retailers may also sell potatoes in larger 10-pound or 20-pound bags.

Why do you soak potatoes in water before deep frying? ›

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.

Do potatoes need to be soaked before frying? ›

This step is commonly missed in making homemade fries, but it might be one of the most important! Soaking your fries in cold water helps remove excess starch, which allows for crispy, golden fries! The cold water bath also helps the french fries retain their shape and contributes to a fluffy inside.

Should you soak raw potatoes before frying? ›

The best potatoes for French fries are soaked in a sugar solution before frying. The sugar solution has something to do with the carbohydrates and prevents the potatoes from soaking up a lot of grease, so they get crunchy.

Should you dehydrate potatoes before frying? ›

Fresh potatoes are about 80% water. Dehydrated slices have the water taken out. If you fry without re-hydrating, the slices will be crispy and crunchy, but not good. Trust me, I have tried it before.

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