Golden and Crispy Potato Balls with a Cheesy Surprise

Here’s a fun and crowd-pleasing snack: Golden and Crispy Potato Balls with a Cheesy Surprise! These are creamy mashed potatoes rolled into balls, stuffed with gooey cheese, coated in breadcrumbs, and fried (or baked) until perfectly golden. Crispy outside, melty inside — perfect for parties, snacking, or a savory appetizer.

🧀 Golden and Crispy Potato Balls with a Cheesy Surprise

🍽️ Makes: 20–25 balls

⏱️ Total Time: ~1 hour

🧂 Ingredients:

For the Potato Mixture:

2 lbs russet or Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 tbsp butter
¼ cup milk or cream
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt & pepper, to taste
2 tbsp fresh parsley or chives, chopped (optional)

For the Filling:

~20–25 small cubes of cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack cheese (½ to ¾ inch cubes)

For Breading:

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
1½ cups breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
Optional: ½ cup panko for extra crunch

For Frying (or Baking):

Oil for deep frying (vegetable or canola), or spray for baking/air frying

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

🥔 1. Make the Mashed Potatoes

Boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender (10–15 minutes).
Drain and mash with butter and milk until smooth (not too wet).
Stir in garlic powder, salt, pepper, and herbs.
Let cool completely (you can refrigerate for faster handling).

🧀 2. Form the Balls

Scoop about 1½ tablespoons of mashed potato and flatten into a small disc in your palm.
Place a cube of cheese in the center and wrap the potato around it, forming a sealed ball.
Repeat until all balls are formed.

🍳 3. Bread the Balls

Roll each ball in flour, then dip into egg, then coat with breadcrumbs (or panko mix).
Place on a tray and chill in the fridge or freezer for 15–30 minutes — this helps them hold shape while frying.

🔥 4. Cook

➤ To Fry:

Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pan.
Fry balls in batches for 2–3 minutes, or until golden brown.
Drain on paper towels or a wire rack.

➤ To Bake:

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Place balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
Spray lightly with oil and bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway.

➤ To Air Fry:

Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Air fry for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway through, until crisp and golden.

🍽️ Serve With:

Ranch, garlic aioli, spicy mayo, marinara, or sour cream for dipping
Sprinkle with extra herbs or grated Parmesan

📝 Tips:

Want extra flavor? Mix shredded cheese, bacon bits, or sautéed onions into the mashed potatoes.
These freeze well! Freeze after breading and fry/bake straight from frozen (just add a couple extra minutes).

Let me know if you want a spicy version, a sweet potato twist, or a loaded potato version with bacon and green onions!