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? ›

    Mix together the flour, milk, egg and salt to make the batter. Gently dip mashed potato balls in batter, being careful that all exposed potato is coated with batter. Deep fry in hot oil until golden-brown.

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

    Why are my potato balls falling apart? Your mashed potato mix might have more moisture than needed, add a couple of tablespoons of flour to the mixture. Your oil might not be hot enough or your filling might be too much that it is causing the ball to crack.

    What does adding an egg to mashed potatoes do? ›

    They just taste rich (almost impossibly so). They do, however, feel creamy, because egg yolks are also emulsifiers (and are, in fact, the ingredient in mayo that makes it an emulsifier). The yolk emulsifies water and fat to create a cohesive, velvety bite, while providing a little fat and body of its own.

    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.

    How do you fluff leftover mashed potatoes? ›

    You can use milk, cream, half-and-half, tangy buttermilk, or chicken or vegetable stock to rehydrate your mashed potatoes. Start with ½ cup of liquid for 4 cups of mashed potatoes, and add it gradually so you don't end up with potato soup. Adding extra butter is a good idea, too.

    What does adding cream of tartar to mashed potatoes do? ›

    Warm Heavy Cream – gives mashed potatoes a super creamy consistency. Butter (room temperature) – adds flavor and creaminess. Cream Cheese (room temperature) – adds rich, tangy flavor and smoothness. Cream of Tartar – makes mashed potatoes smooth and fluffy and helps achieve almost a meringue-like consistency.

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

    A properly made fry must hit the oil twice--once at a lower temperature, and then again at 350 degrees Fahrenheit--to get the perfect creamy interior and crunchy exterior. Before all that, though, the secret is to briefly poach them in boiling water (or "blanch" them) before they go into the hot oil.

    Why fry potatoes twice? ›

    Theory #1: "The first fry gets the outside to create a water tight barrier. That way, when you fry them the second time, they stay moist." Or, Theory #2: "The first fry cooks them through to the center—if you skipped that step, your fries would brown on the outside, but still be raw in the middle."

    Why is it important to dry potatoes before frying? ›

    When potatoes are cut and exposed to air, they release water and begin to soften. By rinsing them with cold water, you help the cells retain some of their firmness, ensuring a better texture in the final product. Before frying the potatoes, make sure to dry them thoroughly with a paper towel or a clean cloth.

    How do you keep fried potatoes from getting soggy? ›

    After cutting your potatoes, rinse them thoroughly in cold water and dry them thoroughly using paper towels. Spread them out and put them into the freezer for 15–20 minutes. Fry them most of the way through, drain them and again get them as dry as possible with paper towel pattings.

    Is milk or water better for mashed potatoes? ›

    In mashed potatoes, cooking in milk, and preserving that starchy liquid, gives your potatoes a natural creaminess and allows you to skip the weighty heavy cream.

    What not to do mashed potatoes? ›

    The 7 Biggest Mistakes You Make With Mashed Potatoes
    1. You Don't Wash Potatoes First. ...
    2. You Use Just One Type of Potato. ...
    3. You Don't Season the Water. ...
    4. You Add Potato Pieces to Boiling Water. ...
    5. You Use the Wrong Gadget to Mash the Potatoes. ...
    6. You Only Use Butter. ...
    7. You Make the Potatoes Too Soon.
    Jun 15, 2021

    Why add baking soda to mashed potatoes? ›

    Directions. Throw just a pinch of ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda into potatoes while mashing to make them fluffier.

    What happens when you put too much milk in mashed potatoes? ›

    Liquid: Usually, this is where milk and butter comes into play, but for a dairy-free version, you could use broth instead. Just make sure you heat your liquid and add it a little at a time when your potatoes have been boiled and dried. Too much and you'll end up with a runny mess.

    How do you make mashed potatoes fluffy and not sticky? ›

    Using a potato ricer or food mill breaks down cooked potatoes without overworking them, and from there you can gently fold in butter and milk for light and airy mashed potatoes, or you can control the level of starch manipulation to produce creamy pommes purée.

    What does cornstarch do when fried? ›

    Corn Starch: Adding a thin coating of corn starch to the potato fries before frying can help create a crispier exterior. When the corn starch comes into contact with the hot oil, it forms a barrier that traps moisture within the potato while also developing a crunchy crust.

    How do restaurants reheat mashed potatoes? ›

    Restaurants prepare the potatoes ahead by boiling and mashing just the potato, then just before serving, it is mixed into boiling cream (or milk or even broth or a combination thereof) to reheat it and make it nice and creamy.

    Why do mashed potatoes not reheat well? ›

    It can be tricky to reheat mashed potatoes on the stovetop because you can sometimes overstir (which leads to gluey potatoes), or understir (which leads to scorched pots). To avoid all this, try a double boiler approach: Place the potatoes in a bowl (stainless steel works best).

    Is it better to use milk or heavy cream in mashed potatoes? ›

    The best Creamy Mashed Potatoes consists of perfectly cooked russet potatoes, melted butter, heavy cream and a touch of tartness like crème fraîche.

    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 adds flavor to mashed potatoes? ›

    Garlic – For savory depth of flavor. Unsalted butter – For richness and buttery flavor. Milk – It smooths the starchy potatoes into an incredibly creamy mash. Use whole milk for the creamiest results.

    Should you dry potatoes before deep-frying? ›

    Be sure they are completely dry before frying. 4. In a large stove-top deep-fryer with a candy thermometer clipped to the side, heat 2 inches of peanut oil to 300 degrees. Add just enough potatoes to cover the base of the frying basket, and cook until slightly limp, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.

    Should I boil potato chips before frying? ›

    Parboil the chips in boiling salted water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until soft but keeping their shape. Drain in a colander and leave to steam until completely dry – this is very important before frying. Heat a deep-fryer to 180°C or fill a deep saucepan to three-quarters full with vegetable oil over a high heat.

    Do you salt potatoes before deep-frying? ›

    I recommend not salting the fries till they come out of the fryer and even then, waiting for an order before salting as the fries can turn limp prematurely if salted too soon.

    How do you soften potatoes before frying? ›

    Boil your cut potatoes in a pot of salted water for about 5 minutes, just until they begin to soften and become slightly translucent. Remove them from the water and let them air dry on paper towels.

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