Leftover Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs

Introduction

Leftover Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs are an irresistible way to transform yesterday’s side dish into today’s star appetizer or snack. These bites are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and loaded with gooey cheese—making them far more exciting than your average potato fritter. They’re quick, crowd-pleasing, and a brilliant solution to food waste.

Why These Cheese Puffs Are So Tempting

With only a handful of common kitchen staples, you elevate mashed potatoes into savory, golden puffs packed with cheesy goodness. The contrast of a crunchy shell with a melt-in-your-mouth interior makes them addictive, while the addition of herbs and cheese provides a savory depth that keeps people reaching for “just one more.”

Choosing Your Cheese and Add-Ins

Cheddar is a classic and reliable choice, but these puffs are endlessly customizable—Gruyère, mozzarella, or even a bit of feta can add unique flavor twists. Fresh chives, parsley, or even a touch of garlic powder can take the savory factor up a notch. For speed, shred your cheese and dice herbs in seconds with the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper.

Getting a Perfect Puff Every Time

For the best texture, use cold mashed potatoes; this helps the puffs hold their shape when cooked. If your potatoes are particularly loose, add an extra tablespoon of flour to firm up the mix. The mixture should be thick enough to scoop and shape easily with damp hands or a scoop.

Cooking these puffs in an air fryer is an excellent way to get them extra crispy with minimal oil. The COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1 delivers even, golden results every time and saves precious oven space.

Serving Suggestions That Shine

Pile the finished puffs on a platter lined with crisp parchment from the Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll for easy cleanup and a touch of rustic charm. Serve with sour cream, ranch dip, or spicy ketchup. They also make an excellent companion for soups or as a hearty side.

Leftovers (if you have any!) store perfectly in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers and reheat easily in the air fryer or oven.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 18-20 cheese puffs. Each puff typically contains around 60–80 calories (depending on the type of cheese and size). They’re a more nutritious alternative to deep-fried snacks—and a fantastic way to reduce food waste.

Leftover Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs (Recap)

Golden, cheesy, and bursting with flavor, these potato puffs reinvent leftovers while delivering impressive taste and texture. Effortless to make and totally customizable, they are the definition of a kitchen win: easy, crowd-friendly, and impossible to resist.

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine mashed potatoes, shredded cheese, egg, flour, chopped chives or scallions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until a thick, cohesive dough forms.
2. If the mixture seems too loose to shape, add an extra tablespoon or two of flour until workable.
3. Prepare your air fryer basket by lining it with a sheet of Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll or Air Fryer Paper Liners. Lightly spritz with oil from an oil sprayer for extra crispiness.
4. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and form into balls. Place in the air fryer basket, spacing them slightly apart.
5. Set your COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1 to 400°F. Cook cheese puffs for 10–12 minutes, shaking or turning once halfway, until golden and crisp.
6. Transfer to a serving platter and serve hot, with your favorite dipping sauce.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Enjoy this brilliant snack or side, and never let those leftover mashed potatoes go to waste again!