The crispy exterior of these cheesy mashed potato balls is like a golden treasure waiting to be uncovered. As you take a bite, the soft, creamy mashed potatoes melt in your mouth, and then the gooey, stretchy cheese pulls you in for more. It’s that perfect combination of crispy and creamy that makes these little bites an irresistible treat. The best part? You can customize the filling to suit your taste. Add some crispy bacon bits, a sprinkle of fresh herbs, or even a dash of your favorite hot sauce to give these potato balls a personal touch.
The air fryer does all the heavy lifting here, making the outside wonderfully crisp without needing to submerge everything in oil. You get all the satisfaction of deep-fried food, minus the extra mess and calories. As they cook, the air fryer circulates the heat perfectly, ensuring every ball is evenly browned and that the cheese inside melts just enough to create that satisfying, cheesy pull.
When you serve them, don’t forget to set out a dipping sauce—maybe a tangy ranch, spicy sriracha mayo, or even a classic ketchup. Each bite is a little burst of comfort food heaven, and it won’t be long before these cheesy mashed potato balls become a staple in your kitchen. They’re perfect for game day, a cozy family dinner, or a fun party snack that’s sure to get everyone talking.
Key Ingredients in Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls
Each ingredient plays a special role in creating that perfect balance of flavor and texture. From the creamy mashed potatoes to the crispy exterior, every component comes together to make these cheesy potato balls a crowd-pleasing delight.
- Mashed potatoes: The foundation of this recipe, mashed potatoes provide that rich, creamy texture that melts in your mouth and gives the potato balls their comforting, soft center.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: The cheese adds a glorious meltiness and a sharp, tangy flavor that complements the potatoes. As it melts, it gives you that signature gooey pull we all love.
- Breadcrumbs: These help create a crunchy, golden coating on the outside of the potato balls when cooked in the air fryer. They give the potato balls their satisfying crunch without the need for deep-frying.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: A little sprinkle of Parmesan brings a salty, nutty depth to the flavor, balancing out the richness of the cheddar and adding a savory kick.
- Chopped green onions: These bring a fresh, oniony brightness that cuts through the creaminess of the mashed potatoes, adding just the right amount of flavor contrast.
- Garlic powder: A staple in many comfort foods, garlic powder gives these potato balls that irresistible savory aroma and a gentle, mellow garlic flavor.
- Onion powder: A milder alternative to fresh onions, onion powder deepens the flavor profile of the potato balls and enhances the overall savoriness of the filling.
- Salt: Essential for bringing out all the natural flavors in the ingredients, salt ensures the right level of seasoning throughout the potato mixture.
- Black pepper: A dash of black pepper adds a slight heat and a bit of sharpness to the flavor, balancing the richness of the cheese and potatoes.
- Large egg: The egg acts as a binder, helping the ingredients come together to form perfect balls that hold their shape when cooking. It also adds a bit of richness to the flavor.
- Flour: A light coating of flour helps give the potato balls structure and prevents them from falling apart when you’re frying them up in the air fryer. It also contributes to the golden, crispy crust.
- Olive oil: A drizzle of olive oil ensures that the potato balls crisp up nicely in the air fryer while adding a subtle fruity note that enhances the flavor.
How to Make Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls
- STEP 1: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that your air fryer is hot and ready to crisp up those cheesy potato balls to perfection.
- STEP 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir all these ingredients together until they are evenly distributed, creating a flavorful and cheesy mixture.
- STEP 3: Crack the egg into the bowl with the mashed potato mixture and stir everything together until well combined. The egg helps bind everything together, so you get perfectly shaped balls that hold up while cooking.
- STEP 4: Sift the flour into the bowl with the mashed potato mixture and continue mixing until the mixture forms a sticky dough-like consistency. The flour is key to giving the mixture structure and ensuring that the balls maintain their shape in the air fryer.
- STEP 5: Using your hands, take a small portion of the mixture and roll it into a ball about the size of a golf ball. Make sure to pack the mixture tightly so that the balls hold together well during cooking.
- STEP 6: Repeat this process until all the mashed potato mixture is formed into balls. You should end up with a nice batch of perfectly shaped potato balls ready for cooking.
- STEP 7: Lightly coat the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent the balls from sticking. A quick spray or brush of olive oil will keep the potato balls from sticking and help them get that golden crispiness.
- STEP 8: Place the potato balls into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between them for air circulation. This ensures the hot air can circulate properly around each ball, giving them an even crisp.
- STEP 9: Brush or spray a light layer of olive oil over the tops of the potato balls. A little extra oil on top helps achieve a perfectly golden and crispy exterior.
- STEP 10: Cook the potato balls in the air fryer for about 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure they cook evenly and get golden brown. Flip them gently with tongs or a spoon to help them cook evenly on all sides.
- STEP 11: Once the potato balls are golden and crispy on the outside, remove them from the air fryer. They should be perfectly browned with a deliciously crispy exterior and a melty, cheesy center.
- STEP 12: Allow them to cool for a minute or two before serving. This step lets the cheese settle just a bit, so you won’t burn your mouth while savoring these little bites of comfort food!
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls
1. As a Party Snack Platter
Arrange your golden, crispy cheesy mashed potato balls on a platter and serve them with a variety of dipping sauces—think tangy ranch, smoky BBQ, or a spicy sriracha mayo. The sauces add an extra layer of flavor, and your guests will have fun choosing their favorites. Trust me, these little bites will disappear in no time!
2. As a Cozy Side Dish
Pair these cheesy potato balls with a hearty main like a juicy steak, roast chicken, or even a big bowl of creamy tomato soup. The contrast between the crispy, cheesy outside and the creamy inside makes them the perfect sidekick to your comfort food favorites.
3. As a Fun, Family-Friendly Meal
Get the kids involved by turning the cooking process into a fun family activity. Let them roll the balls while you prep the dipping sauces. It’s a great way to bond while making dinner and gives everyone something to look forward to when it’s time to dig in. Plus, you can sneak in some extra veggies or bacon bits if you’re feeling adventurous!
Each of these ideas brings out the fun, comforting nature of these cheesy mashed potato balls, making them perfect for any occasion. How will you be serving yours?
How to Store Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls
If you happen to have leftovers (though I doubt they’ll last long!), storing these cheesy mashed potato balls properly will ensure they stay just as delicious the next time you want to enjoy them. To store them, simply let the balls cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. Make sure there’s a layer of parchment paper between the balls to prevent them from sticking together. Keep them in the fridge for up to three days, and when you’re ready to eat them again, just pop them back into the air fryer for a few minutes to re-crisp the outside.
If you want to store them for a longer period, freezing is your best bet. Lay the cooled potato balls on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze them until they’re solid. Once frozen, transfer them into a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready for another snack, you can cook them straight from frozen in the air fryer—no thawing required! They’ll come out just as crispy and cheesy as the first time.
For shorter-term storage, you can also keep them in the fridge for up to two days and reheat them in the microwave if you’re in a rush. While the microwave might soften the crispy coating a bit, the cheesy inside will still be as satisfying. But honestly, if you can wait for that golden crisp to come back, I highly recommend giving the air fryer a go for reheating!
Conclusion
And there you have it—crispy, cheesy mashed potato balls made easy with the air fryer! From the creamy, cheesy inside to the golden, crispy exterior, these little bites are pure comfort food perfection. Whether you’re making them for a cozy family dinner, a fun party snack, or just as a treat to enjoy on your own, they’re sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.
Remember, these cheesy potato balls are endlessly customizable, so feel free to experiment with different fillings and dips. Every bite is a new opportunity to get creative and make them your own. So, what are you waiting for? Gather those ingredients, fire up your air fryer, and get cooking!
And hey, if you try out this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turns out for you. Drop me a comment, ask any questions, or just share your thoughts—I’m always excited to chat about delicious food! Enjoy those cheesy potato balls, and happy cooking!
Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls
Description
Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls are the ultimate comfort food. Bursting with gooey cheese and seasoned perfectly, each bite is a warm, savory, golden bite of heaven. Perfect for snacking!
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
-
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
-
Crack the egg into the bowl with the mashed potato mixture and stir everything together until well combined.
-
Sift the flour into the bowl with the mashed potato mixture and continue mixing until the mixture forms a sticky dough-like consistency.
-
Using your hands, take a small portion of the mixture and roll it into a ball about the size of a golf ball.
-
Repeat this process until all the mashed potato mixture is formed into balls.
-
Lightly coat the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent the balls from sticking.
-
Place the potato balls into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between them for air circulation.
-
Brush or spray a light layer of olive oil over the tops of the potato balls.
-
Cook the potato balls in the air fryer for about 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure they cook evenly and get golden brown.
-
Once the potato balls are golden and crispy on the outside, remove them from the air fryer.
-
Allow them to cool for a minute or two before serving.
Note
- You can use leftover mashed potatoes for this recipe to save time.
- For extra crispiness, spray the potato balls with cooking spray before air frying.
- Feel free to swap out cheddar cheese with other cheeses like mozzarella or pepper jack.
- Add cooked bacon or ham to the mixture for a savory twist.
- Serve with a dipping sauce like ranch or sour cream for added flavor.
