If you've ever opened the refrigerator after a big family dinner and found yourself staring at a container of leftover mashed potatoes, don't put the lid back on just yet.
I have an idea.
Turn them into these Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs!
They're golden around the edges, soft and cheesy in the middle, and packed with the comforting flavor of mashed potatoes. And because they're baked in a muffin tin, they come out in these adorable little individual portions that are perfect for breakfast, brunch, dinner, or even a holiday appetizer.
This is exactly the kind of recipe I love having around after Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or Sunday dinner. Instead of reheating the same mashed potatoes for the third time, you get something that feels completely new.
And the crispy little edges?
That's my favorite part!!
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What Are Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs?
Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs are little baked potato bites made with cold mashed potatoes, eggs, cheddar cheese, and green onions or chives.
The eggs help bind everything together, while the cheese melts throughout the potatoes and creates savory, golden edges.
They're baked in a muffin tin, which gives each puff its own shape and makes them wonderfully easy to serve.
Think of them as somewhere between a mashed potato casserole, a cheesy potato croquette, and a savory breakfast muffin.
Only much easier!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons to keep this recipe handy.
- It's a delicious way to use leftover mashed potatoes.
- You only need a few simple ingredients.
- No deep frying required.
- Everything bakes in one muffin tin.
- They're easy to portion and serve.
- The outside gets lightly golden while the center stays tender.
- They're great for breakfast, brunch, dinner, or appetizers.
- You can customize them with different cheeses and herbs.
- They're especially handy after a holiday meal.
And if you have a refrigerator full of leftovers after Thanksgiving, this recipe can make those mashed potatoes feel brand new.
What Do Mashed Potato Puffs Taste Like?
They're soft, creamy, cheesy, and savory with lightly crisp edges.
The potatoes provide that familiar comfort-food flavor, while cheddar adds richness and a little sharpness. Green onion or chives brighten everything up so the puffs don't feel too heavy.
The center stays tender and fluffy, while the outside gets beautifully golden from the oven.
Serve them warm and watch how quickly they disappear.
Ingredients You'll Need
Cold Mashed Potatoes
You'll need about 3 cups cold, firm mashed potatoes.
Leftover mashed potatoes are perfect for this recipe because refrigeration firms them up and makes them much easier to work with.
Very loose mashed potatoes can make the mixture too soft. If your leftovers contain a lot of milk, cream, or melted butter, make sure they're thoroughly chilled before mixing.
If they're still extremely soft, you may need to adjust the mixture slightly with additional cheese or a small amount of breadcrumbs.
Eggs
You'll need 2 large eggs.
Eggs are the primary binder in these potato puffs. They help turn the mashed potatoes into a mixture that holds together instead of crumbling when you lift the finished puffs from the muffin tin.
Beat the eggs lightly before adding them so they distribute evenly throughout the potatoes.
Cheddar Cheese
Use 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
Mild cheddar creates a gentler flavor, while medium or sharp cheddar gives the potato puffs a more noticeable cheesy bite.
Freshly shredded cheese melts especially well and distributes nicely throughout the potato mixture.
Green Onion or Chives:
