When you’re craving something that’s equal parts crispy, creamy, cheesy, and just incredibly fun to eat, Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls are calling your name! Imagine the magic of leftover mashed potatoes transformed into golden, crunchy bites bursting with gooey cheddar and savory Parmesan, punctuated by pops of green onion. These irresistible appetizers promise to steal the show at your next gathering or become your new favorite snack—because, let’s be honest, who can resist crispy potato perfection straight from the air fryer?
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of classic, easy-to-find ingredients, these mashed potato balls come together quickly and taste like pure comfort. Each element brings something special, so don’t skip out—every single one plays a part in the incredible flavor, texture, or color of this recipe.
- Cold mashed potatoes: Starting with chilled mashed potatoes helps the balls hold their shape and creates the creamiest interior.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts into irresistible pockets of gooey goodness inside every bite.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a savory, nutty depth that takes these over the top.
- Chopped green onions: Bring freshness and a pretty pop of color to every ball.
- Garlic powder: Infuses the potato mixture with that perfect garlicky aroma.
- Salt: Highlights the natural flavors of potatoes and cheese—season to taste!
- Black pepper: Adds just the right amount of warmth to the mix.
- Large egg (beaten): Helps the panko coating stick and gives that extra crunch when air fried.
- Panko breadcrumbs: The secret to an extra crispy, light crust—so much better than regular breadcrumbs here.
- Olive oil spray: A light spritz ensures perfectly golden, crunchy potato balls without deep frying.
How to Make Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls
Step 1: Mix the Potato Filling
Grab a large bowl and add your cold mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, green onions, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together until the cheeses and seasonings are evenly distributed. It should look creamy, colorful, and packed with flecks of green onion—this vibrant mixture is your foundation!
Step 2: Shape and Form
Use a spoon or small cookie scoop to portion out about 2 tablespoons of the potato mixture. Roll it gently in your hands to create a firm ball. Repeat this process until all of your mixture is transformed into little potato balls—kids will love helping with this step!
Step 3: Coat in Egg and Panko
Next, dip each potato ball into the beaten egg to ensure the coating sticks, then roll it through the panko breadcrumbs until completely covered. The breadcrumbs will give your Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls unbeatable crunch!
Step 4: Preheat and Arrange
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for a quick 3 minutes. Arrange the coated potato balls in the basket in a single layer so the hot air can crisp every side. Lightly spritz them with olive oil spray for extra golden-brown color.
Step 5: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection
Air fry the potato balls for 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking. That gentle shake ensures all sides get crunchy. When they’re crisp and golden, they’re ready to devour—don’t wait, they’re best hot!
How to Serve Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls
Garnishes
Give your potato balls a finishing touch with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley, extra green onions, or a shower of grated Parmesan. These little touches add vibrant color and extra flavor that make each bite feel like a special treat.
Side Dishes
Pair your Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls with a simple side salad, creamy coleslaw, or classic marinara sauce for dipping. If you’re serving these as part of an appetizer spread, they play nicely with sliders, veggie platters, or even wings.
Creative Ways to Present
Skewer a few potato balls on wooden picks for party appetizers, or nestle them in a basket lined with parchment for a casual, crowd-pleasing vibe. You can even pile them onto a platter with a trio of fun dipping sauces—think ranch, spicy ketchup, or garlic aioli.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure they’re completely cooled before storing to preserve that delicious crispness.
Freezing
If you want to stash some for later, freeze uncooked, breaded potato balls on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months and can be air fried straight from the freezer with just a few extra minutes added to the cooking time.
Reheating
To revive their crunchy exterior, reheat potato balls in the air fryer at 350°F for 4–5 minutes. They’ll come out just as golden and crisp as when you first made them. Avoid the microwave—it softens the coating.
FAQs
Can I use freshly made mashed potatoes instead of cold?
Cold mashed potatoes work best because they’re firmer and easier to shape, but you can use fresh—just let them cool to room temperature first, and if they’re very soft, add a bit of extra cheese to help them hold together.
What dipping sauces pair well with these potato balls?
Classic ranch dressing, garlicky aioli, spicy sriracha mayo, or tangy marinara all complement the cheesy interior beautifully. Try a variety and let everyone pick their favorite!
Can I add extras to the filling?
Absolutely! Crispy bacon bits, diced jalapeños, or chopped roasted red peppers mix in easily and add bold new flavors to your Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls.
Do I need to flip the potato balls while air frying?
It’s not necessary to flip them completely, but shaking the basket halfway through cooking helps them brown evenly and crisp up all around.
Is it possible to make these gluten free?
Yes! Simply swap the panko breadcrumbs for your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs, and double-check that your other ingredients are certified gluten free—it’s an easy switch.
Final Thoughts
If there ever was a recipe to win over both kids and adults alike, it’s Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls. They’re crispy, cheesy little bites of joy, impossibly easy to make, and perfect for sharing—even if you secretly want to keep them all to yourself. Give them a try and watch them disappear!
Print
Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 12 potato balls
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls are a delightful way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these flavorful bites are perfect as a party appetizer or a tasty snack.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cold mashed potatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- Prepare the Potato Mixture: In a large bowl, combine mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Form the Balls: Scoop out 2 tablespoons of the mixture and roll into balls.
- Coat with Egg and Breadcrumbs: Dip each ball in beaten egg, then roll in panko breadcrumbs.
- Air Fry: Preheat air fryer, then air fry the potato balls until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra flavor, add bacon or jalapeños to the potato mixture.
- Can be made ahead and refrigerated up to 24 hours before air frying.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 potato ball
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
