We all know that feeling—you open the fridge, spot a container of leftover mashed potatoes, and sigh. Do you really want to eat them again? Probably not. But before you push them to the back of the shelf, I have a solution that’ll change how you see leftovers forever: Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls.
Say hello to Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls. These little bites of heaven have a crispy, golden exterior with a warm, melty cheese center. They’re basically the love child of mashed potatoes and mozzarella sticks.
If you’ve ever had croquettes, this recipe will feel familiar. But instead of deep-frying, we’re using the air fryer to keep things light and crispy. They’re perfect as a snack, an appetizer, or a leftover mashed potato appetizer that won’t feel like a repeat meal.
And if you love potatoes as much as we do, check out Roasted Chicken Thighs and Potatoes for another comfort food favorite.
What You’ll Need to Make Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls
No fancy ingredients here—just simple pantry staples that come together for the ultimate crispy-cheesy bite.
Main Ingredients
- Leftover Mashed Potatoes – Cold mashed potatoes work best for shaping.
- Crumbled Bacon – Because everything is better with bacon.
- Block of Cheddar Cheese – Cut into cubes for that gooey, cheesy center.
- Breadcrumbs – Give these balls their crunchy, golden crust.
- Grated Parmesan – Adds extra flavor and crispiness.
- Large Eggs – Helps the breadcrumbs stick.
- Milk – A splash to thin out the egg wash.
- Salt & Black Pepper – Brings out the flavors.
- Cooking Oil Spray – Helps the balls crisp up without deep-frying.
- Garlic Powder (optional) – A little extra seasoning never hurts.
Need another easy meal idea? Try Baked Chicken Thighs and Potatoes for a satisfying dinner.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls
This recipe is simple, fun, and totally worth the effort.
Step 1: Mix the Mashed Potato Mixture
In a medium bowl, combine your leftover mashed potatoes with crumbled bacon, chopped chives or green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.
If your mashed potatoes are extra soft, chill the mixture for 10-15 minutes. This will make shaping the balls easier.
Step 2: Shape the Potato Balls
Scoop out a small amount of the potato mixture. A cookie scoop works great for this, but a spoon will do just fine. Flatten the scoop of mashed potatoes into a small disk.
Place a cheddar cheese cube in the center, then gently wrap the mashed potatoes around it. Roll into a smooth ball, making sure the cheese is fully covered.
Step 3: Coat the Potato Balls
Time to set up the breading station! You’ll need three shallow dishes:
- One for flour.
- Another for whisked eggs and milk.
- The third for breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan.
Roll each potato ball in the flour first, then dip it into the egg wash, and finally coat it with breadcrumbs. Want extra crunch? Dip it back into the egg wash and breadcrumbs again.
Step 4: Air Fry the Potato Balls
Arrange the coated balls in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Lightly spray them with cooking oil spray.
- Set the air fryer to 370°F and cook for 4 minutes.
- Shake the basket, spray again if needed.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
Watch carefully! The cheese melts fast, and you don’t want it oozing out before you take that first glorious bite.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Let the Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls cool for a minute or two. Then, dip them into your favorite sauce and enjoy! Ranch, sriracha mayo, honey mustard, or marinara all work beautifully.
Looking for another great pairing? Try them with Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes for the ultimate comfort food combo.
Want to Switch Things Up? Here Are Some Variations
Feeling creative? Here are some fun twists on this recipe:
- Flavored Mashed Potatoes – Mix in a ranch seasoning packet for extra flavor.
- Cheese Swap – Try mozzarella, gouda, or pepper jack instead of cheddar.
- Crunchy Coatings – Use panko breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, or Everything Bagel seasoning for a fun twist.
And if you’re looking for something sweet instead, check out Air Fryer Sesame Balls for a delicious treat!
How Long Do Leftover Mashed Potatoes Last?
According to the USDA, cooked mashed potatoes stay fresh in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. That means you should make these Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls within a couple of days of making mashed potatoes for the best flavor.
Got leftovers again? No problem. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat them in the air fryer for a quick snack.
Perfect Pairings for Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls
These crispy potato bites are even better when served with the right dip or side dish.
Best Dipping Sauces
- Ranch Dressing
- Spicy Sriracha Mayo
- Garlic Aioli
- Honey Mustard
- Marinara Sauce
Great Side Dishes
Serve them with Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Bake for a full, indulgent meal. Or pair them with other Easy Side Dishes Air Fryer to round out your spread.
More Delicious Potato Recipes to Try
If you love these Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls, here are a few more must-try recipes:
- Mash Potato Balls Fried – A deep-fried version for extra crispiness.
- Everything Bagel Melting Potatoes – A flavor-packed side dish.
Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls
Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
- ½ cup crumbled bacon
- ½ cup chopped chives or green onions
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder optional
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 6 oz cheddar cheese cut into cubes
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Cooking oil spray
Instructions
Prepare the Mashed Potato Mixture
- In a medium bowl, mix mashed potatoes, crumbled bacon, chives, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Shape the Potato Balls
- Scoop about 1-2 tablespoons of the potato mixture, flatten it into a small disk, and place a cheddar cheese cube in the center.
- Wrap the mashed potatoes around the cheese and roll it into a smooth ball.
Coat the Potato Balls
- Set up three bowls: one with flour, one with whisked eggs and milk, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan.
- Roll each potato ball in flour, then dip in egg wash, then coat with breadcrumbs.
- For extra crispiness, dip back into the egg wash and breadcrumbs a second time.
Air Fry the Potato Balls
- Preheat the air fryer to 370°F.
- Arrange the balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray lightly with cooking oil spray.
- Cook for 4 minutes, shake the basket, and spray again if needed.
- Continue cooking for 2-3 more minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Serve and Enjoy
- Let them cool slightly before serving.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch, sriracha mayo, honey mustard, or marinara.
Notes
- For best results, use cold mashed potatoes so they hold their shape.
- Try different cheese fillings like mozzarella, gouda, or pepper jack.
- If your mashed potatoes are too soft, chill them for 10-15 minutes before shaping.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer.
There’s something magical about biting into a crispy, golden Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Ball. The crunch, the creamy potato filling, the melty cheese—it’s snack perfection. Whether you’re making them for game day, a party, or just because, they’re sure to disappear fast.
So next time you have leftover mashed potatoes, don’t just reheat them—turn them into potato balls recipe air fryer style. And if you’re looking for more air fryer inspiration, check out Air Fried Potato Balls for another delicious variation!
