Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs

Is there anything more comforting than a big scoop of creamy, buttery mashed potatoes? They’re the quintessential side dish that just makes a meal feel complete. But as much as I love them, that same old pile of mashed spuds can start to feel a bit…boring after a while.

That’s why I get so excited whenever I can find new, creative ways to switch things up and transform leftover mashed potatoes into something totally fresh and craveable. Enter these crispy yet fluffy, creamy yet cheesy, utterly irresistible mashed potato puffs!

The first time I made these, it was purely out of necessity. I had a big bowl of leftover mashed potatoes in the fridge that needed to get used up. Rather than just reheating them (which never seems to taste quite as good), I decided to give this puff recipe a try. I’m so glad I did!

As soon as I pulled that first tray of potato puffs out of the oven, I knew I had struck gold. The crispy, golden brown exterior gave way to the most delightfully light, airy, quiche-like interior – almost like a soufflé! But then there was also this pockets of ooey-gooey melted cheese scattered throughout that made them utterly irresistible.

One bite and my husband and I were hooked. We couldn’t stop munching on these cheesy, creamy, crispy little puffs of potato perfection! They were so moreish and had such an incredible texture. Needless to say, that batch didn’t last long.

Since then, these cheesy mashed potato puffs have become a total staple for using up leftover mashed potatoes in my house. Sometimes I’ll make them as a fun side dish for a holiday meal or weekend dinner. Other times, I’ll bake up a batch to snack on as addictive little appetizers.

No matter how you serve them, these potato puffs are guaranteed to get rave reviews. There’s just something so nostalgic and comforting about their creamy potato interior, combined with that crispy, cheesy exterior. They’re like the ideal combo of tater tots and mashed potatoes!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Leftover mashed potatoes (or freshly made and cooled)
Eggs
Fresh chives
Shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or your favorite variety)
Salt and pepper
Sour cream for serving (optional)

Potential Variations:

Add crispy bacon bits or diced ham to the potato mixture
Use different cheese varieties like cheddar, Parmesan, pepper jack, etc.
Stir in sautéed onions, garlic or shallots
Mix in cooked broccoli or spinach for a veggie boost
Top with everything bagel seasoning or ranch seasoning before baking

How to Make Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a mini muffin tin and set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed potatoes, beaten eggs, 3/4 of the shredded cheese, and chives until fully combined. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
Use a small scoop or spoon to portion the potato mixture into the prepared muffin tin cups. Top each puff with the remaining shredded cheese.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until puffed, set, and lightly golden brown on top.
Let cool for 5 minutes, then use a butter knife or offset spatula to gently remove the puffs from the tin.
Serve warm, garnished with extra chives, dollops of sour cream, or any other desired toppings!

Tips for the Best Potato Puffs:

Be sure to let any freshly made mashed potatoes cool completely before mixing in the eggs. Room temp is ideal for easy mixing.
Don’t overmix the potato mixture or it can become dense and gummy.
Use a small cookie or portion scoop to easily fill the muffin tin cups.
For crispier puffs, use a standard muffin tin instead of a mini one.
Bake puffs on the lower oven rack for optimal browning.
Let puffs rest for 5 minutes before removing from tin so they can set up.

FAQs:

Can I make these puffs ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the potato mixture up to 2 days in advance and store covered in the fridge until ready to bake.

How do you reheat leftover puffs?
For best results, reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes until heated through and crispy again.

Do puffs freeze well?
Yes, these freeze beautifully! Let baked and cooled puffs freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen.

What else can I serve with potato puffs?
These are delicious as a side dish with proteins like roasted chicken, steak, pork chops or meatloaf. They also make a fun appetizer for holidays and parties!

Serving Suggestions:

While these cheesy mashed potato puffs are definitely hearty and filling enough to be served as a side dish, they also make such a fun and unique appetizer! I love setting out a big platter of them at parties or holiday gatherings with a variety of dipping sauces for guests to enjoy.

Some of my favorite dippers include ranch dressing, queso, marinara sauce, or even a zesty jalapeño ranch. You could also set out bowls of sour cream, salsa, guacamole or warm nacho cheese sauce for drizzling or dipping. The crispy-creamy puffs are the perfect vehicle for scooping up all those tasty toppings.

For more of a meal, I’ll serve the puffs alongside proteins like roasted chicken, grilled steak or pork chops. They’re also fantastic paired with glazed ham, turkey meatloaf or even a comforting pot of beef stew or chili. Anytime you’d normally serve mashed potatoes, these cheesy puffs make a fun, nostalgic twist!

However you decide to enjoy them, I guarantee these cheesy mashed potato puffs will be a hit. They transform boring leftover mashed potatoes into the most craveable little crispy, creamy, cheesy bites that everyone devours. Once you make them, you’ll never let another leftover potato go to waste again!