Description
Crispy and cheesy Potato Balls made with creamy mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese, bacon, and chives, coated in a crunchy Parmesan-panko crust and deep-fried until golden brown. Perfect as a savory appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Mashed Potato Mixture
- 3 cups mashed potatoes (chilled)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1/3 cup cooked bacon (crumbled)
- 1/4 cup chives (chopped)
Coating
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 1/4 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs (beaten)
For Frying
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the chilled mashed potatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and chopped chives thoroughly to create a uniform mixture.
- Form balls: Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, portion out the potato mixture and shape it into balls for even cooking.
- Prepare coating: In a bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese and panko breadcrumbs; set aside.
- Coat each ball: Roll each potato ball first in all-purpose flour to help the egg adhere, then dip into beaten eggs, and finally coat evenly with the Parmesan-panko mixture.
- Heat oil: In a deep fryer or large heavy-bottomed pot, heat vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C), ensuring there’s enough oil to fully submerge the potato balls.
- Fry potato balls: Fry the coated potato balls in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking for about 3 to 4 minutes per batch or until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Drain: Remove the fried potato balls with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil before serving.
Notes
- Make sure the mashed potatoes are well chilled to help the balls hold their shape during frying.
- Do not overcrowd the fryer to maintain the oil temperature for even cooking.
- For extra flavor, you can add garlic powder or smoked paprika to the potato mixture.
- If you prefer a healthier version, these can be baked at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until golden and crispy instead of frying.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: potato balls, fried potato appetizer, cheesy potato balls, bacon potato bites, crispy potato snacks
