Description
Cheesy Potato Balls are a delicious snack featuring a crispy golden exterior with a soft, fluffy mashed potato interior encasing a melty, gooey cheese center. Perfect as a comforting finger food for parties, kids, or anytime cravings, these snacks are easy to make with minimal ingredients and can be fried or baked for a versatile, satisfying treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 medium Russet potatoes (starchy potatoes for fluffy texture)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed (or any melting cheese of choice)
- 1 cup bread crumbs (use gluten-free bread crumbs if needed)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Optional Fresh Herbs and Add-ins
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
- 1 teaspoon thyme leaves (optional)
- Finely chopped jalapeños or ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper for spice (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Peel and cube the Russet potatoes. Boil them in salted water until tender and easily pierced by a fork. Drain thoroughly and let cool slightly.
- Mash and Season: Transfer the drained potatoes into a large bowl and mash until smooth. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and any fresh herbs you wish. Mix well to incorporate all flavors evenly.
- Shape the Balls with Cheese: Take a small amount of mashed potatoes and flatten it in your palm. Place a cube or small handful of mozzarella cheese in the center. Carefully mold the potato around the cheese, shaping it into a tightly sealed round ball.
- Coat with Egg and Bread Crumbs: Beat eggs in one bowl. Place bread crumbs in another bowl. Dip each potato ball first into the beaten egg, then roll thoroughly in bread crumbs to create an even crispy outer layer.
- Fry or Bake until Golden: For frying: Heat oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat. Fry the balls in batches until they turn golden brown and crisp on all sides. For baking: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place potato balls on a baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crispy.
Notes
- Use starchy potatoes like Russets for a fluffier, lighter mashed potato base that holds together better.
- Freeze shaped balls for 15 minutes before cooking to make shaping easier and to prevent them from falling apart.
- For extra crunch, dip the balls twice in egg and bread crumbs before cooking.
- Maintain medium-high oil temperature when frying to cook quickly without excessive oil absorption.
- Choose cheese based on preferred flavor and melting quality; mozzarella is mild and gooey, cheddar adds a sharp taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 potato balls
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: cheesy potato balls, potato snacks, crispy potato bites, cheesy snacks, kid-friendly appetizers, party appetizers, gluten free snacks