Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs
These creamy and Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs are a nice change-up from the traditional potato side dishes. If you’re looking for easy side dish recipes to round out your meals, these puffs are a great option. They’re simple and crowd-pleasing, perfect for holidays, parties, or even weeknight dinners. It’s a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes, too.
The holidays are coming, and we need easy recipes that will wow our family and guests. This Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs recipe is both of those things – easy to make and makes a great presentation on any buffet or dinner table.
I love that I can use leftovers from my Easy Mashed Potatoes recipe for these potato puffs, which it’s a perfect recipe to prep the day before. Even this Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe works well and the garlic makes the puffs even better.
No matter how you look at these mini mashed potato puffs, they are so good. Crispy on the outside, fluffy quiche-like on the inside. It’s a totally customizable recipe to please everyone.
Mashed Potato Puffs
I’m going to be really honest about this recipe and tell you that it’s not only a great way to transform traditional mashed potatoes into a new side dish, but the mini puffs are perfect to serve as appetizers. Plus, if you’re serving a holiday brunch, they are easy to make and to serve up on a pretty platter. Such a creative way to serve leftovers!
Leftovers in my house aren’t a popular thing, especially reheated mashed potatoes. I love them reheated or cold, but I’m a loner in that. So, when I decided to turn those leftover potatoes into a new side for the next day, I had no idea how much EVERYONE loved them! Made my day!
Timesaving Tips and Variations
With a few simple swaps or additions, you can make easy cheesy mashed potato puffs ahead and add extra flavor. These simple adjustments make prep easier and guarantee the puffs will be a hit at any table.
- Use leftover or fresh mashed potatoes – Both work well; just let fresh potatoes cool before mixing.
- Try changing up the cheese to cheddar or Parmesan, which works wonderfully.
- Assemble the puffs a day before and refrigerate; bake right before serving.
- Sprinkle in garlic powder, paprika, or fresh herbs for a flavor boost.
- Add bacon or diced ham, if desired
- It’s a great way to add leftover broccoli to these puffs, too.
No matter how you mix them up, these puffs stay delicious and fun to serve, making them a reliable favorite for any meal or gathering
Other Side Dishes Using Leftovers to Try
If you love finding creative ways to use leftovers, these mashed potato cheese puffs are just the beginning. There are plenty of easy side dish recipes that can transform what’s already in your fridge into something new and delicious.
- Apple Stuffing Muffin Cups
- Turkey Biscuit Stew
- Rosemary Roasted Potato Peelings
- Sweet Potato Bisque with Truffle Oil
- Slow Cooker Ham and White Bean Soup
With a little creativity, leftovers can become standout sides that everyone will enjoy, making meal prep both fun and efficient. If you still have leftover mashed potatoes after making this recipe, give this sweet 3 Ingredient Old Fashioned Potato Candy a try. It’s addicting!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Freshly made mashed potatoes are great to use if you don’t have leftovers. Just be sure to allow them to cool before adding the beaten eggs to the potatoes. I like to cook and mash the potatoes the day before and chill them. The next day, take them out to come up to room temperature while you are preparing other items.
Leftover puffs can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to re-crisp for the best results.
I like to use a mini muffin pan, but regular muffin pans work well for larger portions. Cooking time will be a bit longer if you use a regular muffin pan.
You can get creative with the mix-ins. Add bacon bits for a savory touch, or fold in caramelized onions for a slightly sweet flavor. Cooked broccoli or chopped green onions can also be mixed in to add color and nutrition. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to experiment with whatever you have on hand to make the puffs your own.
Tools Needed for Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs
These puffs are easy to make, especially if you have the right tools on hand. From mixing the ingredients to baking them golden and fluffy, these items make the whole process smooth and simple.
Wilton Gold Premium Non-Stick Warp-Resistant Bakeware, Made without PFAs, Muffin Pan, 24-cup, 16 x 10 x 1 in., Packaging may VaryPyrex Essentials (3-Piece) Glass Mixing Bowls Set For Prepping, Baking and Cooking, Preheated Oven, Dishwasher, Freezer, and Microwave Safe
OXO Good Grips Bent Icing Spatula
OXO Good Grips 6- Piece Plastic Measuring Cups
ONEMORE 12 Inch Ceramic Serving Platters, White Rectangular Serving Trays/Dishes for Party Entertaining, Stackable Plates for Appetizers Desserts Baked Goods – Set of 2
GORILLA GRIP BPA-Free Soft Silicone Oven Mitts, Heat Resistant and Waterproof Cooking Gloves, Thick Cotton Lining, Flexible Gripping for Baking Grilling, Kitchen Potholders Set of 2, 12.5×8.3, Black
Having a few simple, reliable tools ready not only makes prep and baking easier, it also helps everything come together quickly. Plus, it keeps the process stress-free so you can enjoy making and serving the cheesy potato puffs.
Ingredients for Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs
Ingredients are simple and likely already in your kitchen. This recipe is budget-friendly and flexible enough for swaps.
- Mashed potatoes – leftover or freshly made
- Eggs – help bind the mixture together
- Chives – add freshness and color
- Monterey Jack cheese – melts beautifully for a creamy texture
- Salt and pepper – to season the potatoes
- Sour cream – for topping after baking
Each ingredient works together to create puffs that are creamy inside, golden outside, and completely irresistible.
How to Make Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs
Step 1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly spray a mini muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray; set aside. My mini muffin pans each can hold 12 muffins. This recipe will make 24 mini potato puffs.
Step 2
In a large mixing bowl add the mashed potatoes, beaten eggs, ¾ cup of the cheese, and ¼ cup of chopped chives and whisk to combine.
Season, if necessary, with salt and pepper. How much seasoning you need to do will depend on how you seasoned your mashed potatoes to begin with. I tend to add more pepper.
Step 3
Using a small cookie scoop, fill each of the mini cups with the mashed potato batter. Top each with the remaining cheese.
Step 4
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until potato puffs are set and lightly browned on top. Let cool for about 5 minutes in the pan, then use an offset spatula or knife to gently release them from the pan. Serve immediately with dollops of sour cream and extra chives, if desired.
These mashed potato bites are made with simple ingredients you already have on hand. They’re a fun twist that turns leftovers into something you’ll actually look forward to.
You may also enjoy these Loaded Potatoes made in the slow cooker or Smashed Roasted Red Potatoes with Herbs.
Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs
Ingredients
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 2 cups mashed potatoes (room temp)
- 1 cup shredded cheese, divided (I used Monterey Jack, but you can use whatever cheese you like)
- ¼ cup finely diced fresh chives, plus extra for garnish
- salt and pepper, to taste
- sour cream, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.Spray a mini muffin pan with non stick cooking spray; set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl add the mashed potatoes, eggs, ¾ cup of the cheese and ¼ cup chives and whisk to combine.
- Add salt and pepper to taste, keeping in mind how your mashed potatoes were seasoned to start. I usually like to add a bit more pepper for extra flavor.
- Using a small scoop, fill each of the mini muffin cups with the mashed potato batter. Top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the puffs are set and lightly golden on top. Let them cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then gently lift them out with an offset spatula or knife. Serve warm, topped with sour cream and a sprinkle of extra chives if you like
Notes
Nutritional Disclaimer
“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
My family is going to love these and what great idea to make them in individual servings.
Such a fun way to enjoy potatoes! I love the bite-size but I won’t be able to stop popping them in my mouth!
These are like little potato souffles and they sound so good!
This is a great idea to serve mashed potatoes as well as a great one to use left overs! Love this!
Love this because I always seem to make enough mashed potatoes for an army and I need new exciting ways to serve up the leftovers!
I am totally going to have to try making mashed potatoes this way. Never thought about making them like this before.
Prep ahead, can use leftovers and looks amazing! Ticks s as all the boxes plus!
Keeper recipe, my grand baby loved them. I even made some mini sizes too.
Oh my goodness! They look like perfect potato bites of yum!
Actually a question…
I have no mini muffin pan. Will it work if I use a regular muffin pan and do 12 puffs? Or, possibly roll them in a ball and bake them this way?
I’ve not made them in a regular muffin pan but the cook time will be longer, so keep an eye on them and check a few times. I don’t recommmend rolling into balls as they are going puff up while baking and without sides of a pan for support, I think they will just be flat.