By Becky Hardin
Updated Feb 17, 2025
Fried Mashed Potato Balls are loaded with bacon, cheese, and onions—perfect for using Thanksgiving leftovers! I love to put leftover potatoes to good use and fry up some cheesy mashed potato bites. They make the ultimate appetizer or side dish!
5-Star Reviews
“So popular at the last get together with the girlfriends.” -Bunny
Fried Mashed Potato Balls Recipe
Fried mashed potato balls are the perfect way to use up leftovers from Thanksgiving. Loaded mashed potatoes combined with crispy bacon, cheese, green onion are shaped into the balls and coated with the crispy Panko bread crumbs and fried to golden brown crust! Yum!
These remind me arancini balls except they’re made with leftover potatoes. You really can’t go wrong with these amazing cheesy mashed potato bites!
Tips For Beginners
Yukon potatoes are the BEST potatoes for these. They are starchy, creamy, and absorb liquid ingredients. If planning to make with freshly boiled potatoes, be sure to refrigerate them for 1 hour. It sets the perfect texture for deep frying.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 3 cups leftover or pre-prepared mashed potatoes , cold
- ▢ 1 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ▢ 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- ▢ 3/4 cup cooked bacon crumbles
- ▢ 8 ounces Colby Jack cheese cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- ▢ 1 egg beaten
- ▢ 1/2 cup panko style bread crumbs
- ▢ 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ▢ salt and pepper to taste
- ▢ Oil for frying
Video
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, shredded cheddar, onions, and bacon. Mix everything nicely. 3 cups leftover, 1 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup chopped green onions, 3/4 cup cooked bacon crumbles
- Use an ice cream scoop to form 1 inch balls, rolling with your hands to create the shape.
- Push 1 Colby Jack cube into the center of each ball, and then re-roll the mashed potato mixture around it to make it round again. Place on a plate and repeat with the rest of the mashed potatoes. Set in the fridge for 30 minutes to set. 8 ounces Colby Jack cheese
- In a shallow bowl, place the egg. 1 egg
- In another shallow bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and salt and pepper. 1/2 cup panko style bread crumbs, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste
- Start by dipping each ball into the egg mixture, shaking off the excess, and then rolling in the panko mixture. Pat to make sure the panko adheres well and that the mashed potatoes are fully covered. Set back on the plate and set aside.
- Heat a large pot or dutch oven with about 2-3 inches of oil to 375°F. Oil for frying
- Carefully drop in the mashed potato balls 3-4 at a time into the hot oil, allowing them to be fully submerged. Use a slotted spoon to lightly stir as they fry to make sure they don’t stick to the bottom or sides of the pot.
- Fry each for 2-3 minutes or until they are fully browned and crispy. Use the slotted spoon to remove from the oil and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining mashed potato balls until they are all fried. Serve while hot and enjoy!
Becky’s Tips
- For more flavors add sour cream or seasoned cream cheese.
- Feel free to use cilantro or parsley or thyme in place of green onions.
- While deep frying, keep turning the balls every 1 minute. Don’t wait to cook on one side before turning sides. It makes the cheese come out in the middle.
- If want to bake in the oven, bake them for 20 min at 350°F. Flip them in between.
- To air fry them, spray the basket with non-sticky cooking oil and fry them at 380°F for 15-20 mins or until crust is golden.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Fried Mashed Potato Balls
Prepare the mashed potato mixture: Combine the 3 cups leftover mashed potatoes, 1 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of chopped green onions and 3/4 cup of cooked bacon crumbles in a large bowl. Mix everything nicely.
Once everything is combined use an ice cream scoop to form 1-inch balls, rolling with your hands to create the shape.
Push 1 Colby Jack cube (out of 8 ounces Colby Jack cheese) into the center of each ball, and then re-roll the mashed potato mixture around it to make it round again.
Place on a plate and repeat with the rest of the mashed potatoes. Put in the fridge for 30 minutes to set.
Dredge and coat with bread crumbs: While the shaped balls are setting in the fridge, prepare the dredging stations.
In a shallow bowl, beat 1 egg and keep aside.
In another shallow bowl, mix together the 1/2 cup of panko style bread crumbs, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
After 30 minutes, take the shaped balls out of the fridge. Start by dipping each ball into the egg mixture first, shaking off the excess, and then rolling in the panko mixture. Pat to make sure the panko adheres well and that the mashed potatoes are fully covered. Set back on the plate and set aside.
Deep fry & serve: Heat a large pot or dutch oven with about 2-3 inches of oil to 375°F.
Carefully drop in the mashed potato balls 3-4 at a time into the hot oil, allowing them to be fully submerged. Use a slotted spoon to lightly stir as they fry to make sure they don’t stick to the bottom or sides of the pot.
Fry each for 2-3 minutes or until they are fully browned and crispy. Use the slotted spoon to remove from the oil and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining mashed potato balls until they are all fried. Serve while hot and enjoy!
These deep fried loaded mashed potato balls take leftovers from drab to fab in just minutes, and they are SO EASY to make. Yes, your hands will get a bit dirty, but it’s worth it.
Why are my potato balls falling apart while frying?
Potato balls generally fall apart while frying due to too much liquid content (mixture is too wet and sticky). This happens if using freshly boiled potatoes (that is the reason mashed potatoes should be refrigerated for sometime, minimum 1 hour) or if too many dairy ingredients were added.
If so, add some cornflour and combine well. You can expect slight stickiness but you should be able to form the round shape.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftovers in a container with a lid and refrigerate for 3-5 days. Reheat in the microwave for 30 second intervals or bake in the oven for 10 minutes at 350°F. I don’t recommend re-frying them!
If planning ahead of time and want to enjoy mashed potato balls just like the fresh one, refrigerate the potato mixture 3-4 days ahead of time. When ready, just shape the mixture into balls, dredge and deep fry.
Can I freeze fried mashed potato balls?
To freeze before frying : Stop just before the frying step (until coated with breadcrumbs). Space out potato balls in a baking sheet and freeze for an hour. Transfer them to a storage bag and freeze. When ready, simply take them out and deep fry them just like frozen fries.
To freeze after deep frying : Wait until they are at room temperature. Place them in a freezer-friendly bag and store for 3-5 months. Reheat for 20-30 minutes in the oven at 350°F.
Serving Suggestions
My whole family enjoys these loaded mashed potato bites over a casual get together, or during a snack time in the afternoon with my Starbucks copycat Cold Brew or Iced Caramel Macchiato . My kids also love carrying them to school for snack time with my Chick Fil A Sauce .
It’s up to you if you want to gulp them down as-is or with the a sauce like Fry Sauce , Yum Yum Sauce, or Mustard Cream Sauce !
More potato recipes you’ll love
Garlic Herb Creamy Scalloped Potatoes
Hash Brown Potato Soup
Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with Bacon and Goat Cheese
Parmesan Potato Wedges
Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe
Instant Pot Potato Salad with Dill Pickles
Cheesy Potato Casserole (Hash Brown Potato Casserole Recipe)
Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Fried Mashed Potato Balls
Ingredients
- 3 cups leftover or pre-prepared mashed potatoes , cold
- 1 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 3/4 cup cooked bacon crumbles
- 8 ounces Colby Jack cheese cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1 egg beaten
- 1/2 cup panko style bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, shredded cheddar, onions, and bacon. Mix everything nicely. 3 cups leftover, 1 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup chopped green onions, 3/4 cup cooked bacon crumbles
- Use an ice cream scoop to form 1 inch balls, rolling with your hands to create the shape.
- Push 1 Colby Jack cube into the center of each ball, and then re-roll the mashed potato mixture around it to make it round again. Place on a plate and repeat with the rest of the mashed potatoes. Set in the fridge for 30 minutes to set. 8 ounces Colby Jack cheese
- In a shallow bowl, place the egg. 1 egg
- In another shallow bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and salt and pepper. 1/2 cup panko style bread crumbs, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste
- Start by dipping each ball into the egg mixture, shaking off the excess, and then rolling in the panko mixture. Pat to make sure the panko adheres well and that the mashed potatoes are fully covered. Set back on the plate and set aside.
- Heat a large pot or dutch oven with about 2-3 inches of oil to 375°F. Oil for frying
- Carefully drop in the mashed potato balls 3-4 at a time into the hot oil, allowing them to be fully submerged. Use a slotted spoon to lightly stir as they fry to make sure they don’t stick to the bottom or sides of the pot.
- Fry each for 2-3 minutes or until they are fully browned and crispy. Use the slotted spoon to remove from the oil and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining mashed potato balls until they are all fried. Serve while hot and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- For more flavors add sour cream or seasoned cream cheese.
- Feel free to use cilantro or parsley or thyme in place of green onions.
- While deep frying, keep turning the balls every 1 minute. Don’t wait to cook on one side before turning sides. It makes the cheese come out in the middle.
- If want to bake in the oven, bake them for 20 min at 350°F. Flip them in between.
- To air fry them, spray the basket with non-sticky cooking oil and fry them at 380°F for 15-20 mins or until crust is golden.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
