What Can I Make with Leftover Mashed Potato?
We all have those days when we have leftover mashed potato, that’s when you make mashed potato balls.
It’s the easiest way to turn the leftover into a new dish that everyone would go crazy for.
The best thing about mashed potato balls is that you can be creative by adding other ingredients to jazz up the taste.
How to Make Mashed Potato Balls
To make mashed potato balls, first add a few ingredients to the leftover mashed potatoes. I love the combination of bacon bits, cheddar cheese and chopped parsley.
Mix the leftover mashed potato with all the ingredients together and then shape them into bite-sized balls. You can use your hands to shape the balls.
Next, roll them with breadcrumbs. The final step is deep-frying the mashed potato balls until they turn golden brown.
Tips for Crispy Mashed Potato Balls
Make sure you chill the leftover mashed potatoes – the mashed potato should be chilled in the fridge before you start working on them.
Use regular breadcrumbs for better results and make sure you don’t over fry the mashed potato balls. As soon as they turn brown, scoop them out from the oil.
How Many Calories per Serving?
This recipe is only 174 calories per serving.
What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?
For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
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Mashed Potato Balls
Mashed Potato Balls - crispy fried mashed potato balls loaded with bacon and cheddar cheese. The best recipe to use up leftover mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cold leftover mashed potatoes
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup real bacon bits
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley leaves
- 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
- oil for deep frying
Instructions
- Place the mashed potatoes in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Stir in the egg, bacon bits, cheddar cheese and chopped parsley.
- Mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
- Shape into 1-in. balls; roll in bread crumbs, make sure the bread crumbs are attached to the potato balls. Put in the refrigerator for 15 - 30 minutes to retain the shape.
- In a skillet, heat 1 in. of oil to 375°F (190°C). Fry potato balls, a few at a time, very quickly. As soon as they turn light brown, remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Serve immediately.
Notes
Recipe Source: Taste of Home.
IMPORTANT: make sure your mashed potatoes are not the loose kind, or else the potato balls will get disintegrated while deep-frying. DO NOT over fry, as soon as the breadcrumbs turn light brown, take them out of the oil. They will continue to brown after removing from the oil.
Nutrition Information
Serving Size
6 peopleAmount Per Serving Calories 174Total Fat 5gSaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 42mgSodium 185mgCarbohydrates 23gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 7g
Lynn
Made these last night. Loved them. Turned out perfect. Next time will add more bacon and cheese and maybe sharper cheese. Super yummy!
Kimmy
Hi. Looks really good! Can I bake them instead? Drizzle the potato balls with either Olive oil or vegetable oil and bake?? Will that work?
Rasa Malaysia
Yes you can bake them. Don’t drizze olive oil, just coat with bread crumbs.
Roger
Have you tried them in an air fryer?
Rasa Malaysia
No.
Cynthia
Any one air fry these?
Karen
I coated them with panko and air fried them. They turned out great. Sprayed the air fryer with cooking spray and the potato balls as well. 380 degrees for about 10-12 minutes turning gently at half the time. They were frozen after breading them before air frying.
Dana
My coworkers are gluten free. Is it possible to use Panko or some other product for breadcrumbs? Will I need to make any other changes? Can’t wait to try this recipe! Thanks!
Janet Bonifas
You can buy Schar gf bread crumbs
Anjali
We tried making these last night. They held together really well but were little balls of lava when you bite into them. Does that mean we fried them too long?
Rasa Malaysia
Yeah, fried too long, and also maybe your mashed potatoes are too mushy. Try to eat them when they are colder.
Karen
I used seasoned panko crumbs and air fried them. They turned out great.
Rasa Malaysia
Cool.
Chrissie Baker
These look sooo tasty!!! Definitely adding them to my list of food to make!
Maureen k
Frying them and the breadcrumbs are falling off and the potatoes are pretty much disintegrating in the hot oil
Rasa Malaysia
Hi Maureen, I am sorry to hear that. Is your mashed potato the loose kind?
Nicola
What does that mean to have a “loose kind” of mashed potatoes?
Rasa Malaysia
Runny.
Lisa
Do you mean instant mashed potatoes? The kind you buy in a pouch or box?
Rasa Malaysia
No, you make the mashed potatoes from scratch.
Shreyansh
In evening I will show my Mom this recipe and tell her to make it.
thank you sir
Kathy S.
I have 3 questions please:
1) Have you ever made this using leftover mashed sweet potatoes?
2) If you wanted to bake instead of fry….What temperature and for how long, would you suggest?
3) If I wanted to make lots, can they be frozen?
Thanks for your time!
Rasa Malaysia
Hi Kathy, no, I haven’t tried mashed sweet potatoes. You can bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes. Yes, you can coat them with breadcrumbs and then frozen. Then thaw at room temperature and then fry or bake.
Diane N
For those who comments describe falling apart/ loose potatoes I suggest adding flour a Tablespoon at a time until potato mixture holds together better.