Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls in Air Fryer Recipe
Crispy and golden Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls made effortlessly in the air fryer. These bite-sized snacks combine creamy mashed potatoes with a blend of mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese, seasoned with garlic and onion powder, then coated in crunchy breadcrumbs for a perfect appetizer or side dish.
- Author: luca
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Mashed Potato Mixture
- 2 cups mashed potatoes (chilled and firm)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Coating
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- Cooking spray or a little olive oil
- Prepare the mashed potatoes: Ensure your mashed potatoes are chilled and firm to make shaping easier.
- Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chilled mashed potatoes, shredded mozzarella or cheddar, grated Parmesan, beaten egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form the balls: Scoop out small portions of the mixture using a spoon or your hands and roll them into balls about 1-2 inches in diameter.
- Coat in breadcrumbs: Roll each ball in breadcrumbs until they are fully coated for a crispy exterior.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and preheat for a few minutes.
- Air fry the balls: Place the coated potato balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. Spray them lightly with cooking spray or brush with a little olive oil to enhance browning. Air fry for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and crispy, shaking the basket halfway through for even cooking.
Notes
- For best results, use mashed potatoes that are well chilled to help the balls hold their shape.
- Panko breadcrumbs create a lighter, crispier coating compared to regular breadcrumbs.
- You can substitute the cheeses used based on your preference, but mozzarella and Parmesan provide a great melty and savory combination.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can also bake these in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy for the best texture and flavor.
Keywords: cheesy mashed potato balls, air fryer mashed potato snacks, crispy potato balls, cheesy potato appetizers, air fryer recipes, easy potato snacks