Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs

 

🧀 Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs – The Ultimate Comfort Food Bite

🌟 Introduction: What Are Mashed Potato Puffs?

Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs are little savory muffins made from mashed potatoes, shredded cheese, eggs, and a few flavorful additions. They’re baked until golden brown and slightly crispy, with gooey cheese melted throughout. Perfect for using leftover mashed potatoes, they’re quick to prepare, versatile, and utterly satisfying. The concept is simple, but the flavor is profound—think of it as potato gratin meets breakfast muffin.

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🧾 Ingredients – What You’ll Need

Let’s start by laying out all the ingredients for a basic batch. This recipe yields approximately 12 puffs.

🔹 Core Ingredients:

• 2 cups mashed potatoes (preferably cold or leftover)

• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, Gruyère, or a mix)

• 2 large eggs

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/4 cup milk or cream

• 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

• 2 tablespoons chopped chives or green onions

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Butter or non-stick spray (for greasing muffin tin)

🔹 Optional Add-ins:

• Crumbled cooked bacon – adds a smoky, savory punch

• Diced cooked ham

• Cooked, chopped spinach or kale

• Caramelized onions or shallots

• Paprika or cayenne for spice

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🍽️ Equipment Needed

• Standard or mini muffin tin

• Mixing bowls

• Whisk

• Spoon or cookie scoop

• Rubber spatula

• Cheese grater

• Oven

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🥄 Step-by-Step Instructions

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🧈 Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high heat ensures that the outsides of the potato puffs get nice and crispy while the insides stay tender and melty.

Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with butter or non-stick spray. Be generous—this helps the puffs release easily and gives the edges a beautiful golden crust.

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🥚 Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl:

• Crack in the 2 eggs and beat them until well mixed.

• Add in the milk or cream, sour cream, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

• Whisk until smooth.

This mixture adds moisture and helps bind the puffs.

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🥔 Step 3: Add the Mashed Potatoes

Stir in the mashed potatoes. If you're using cold leftover potatoes, give them a quick stir first to loosen them up.

Use a spatula to fold the potatoes into the egg mixture until fully incorporated. The result should be creamy and slightly thick.

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🧀 Step 4: Add the Cheese and Flavorings

Now it’s time for the best part—the cheese! Fold in:

• 1 cup shredded cheese (reserve a little for topping)

• 1/4 cup Parmesan

• Chopped chives or green onions

• Garlic powder

Taste the mixture. Adjust seasoning if needed—add more salt, pepper, or herbs to suit your taste.

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🥓 Step 5: Add Optional Ingredients

This is the moment to add your extras, like bacon or spinach.

Popular combinations:

• Bacon & Cheddar

• Ham & Swiss

• Spinach & Feta

• Mushroom & Mozzarella

Fold in 1/2 cup of your favorite extras to create unique flavors.

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🧁 Step 6: Fill the Muffin Tins

Using a spoon or ice cream scoop, divide the mixture evenly among the 12 muffin cups.

Fill each cup to the top, gently pressing the mixture down so there are no air pockets. This ensures a uniform bake.

Top each puff with a pinch of shredded cheese or a tiny piece of bacon for added crisp and appeal.

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🔥 Step 7: Bake

Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until:

• Tops are golden and crispy

• Edges pull slightly away from the muffin tin

• A toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean

For extra crispiness, bake an additional 5 minutes at the end or broil for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

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🧊 Step 8: Cool Slightly & Serve

Allow the puffs to cool in the pan for about 5–10 minutes before gently loosening them with a butter knife and removing.

Serve warm and watch them disappear in minutes!

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🧡 Serving Suggestions

These puffs are incredibly versatile. Here’s how to serve them depending on the occasion:

🍳 For Breakfast or Brunch:

• Serve alongside scrambled eggs and fruit

• Drizzle with hot sauce or ketchup

• Pair with mimosas or fresh juice

🥩 As a Side Dish:

• Serve next to grilled meats or roasted chicken

• Pair with a crisp green salad and vinaigrette

• Add to a charcuterie board for a rustic feel

🧆 As a Party Appetizer:

• Make in mini muffin tins for bite-sized portions

• Add a small dollop of sour cream or aioli on top

• Garnish with chives, parsley, or paprika

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🔄 Variations and Customizations

1. Mini Mashed Potato Bites

Use a mini muffin tin and reduce baking time to 12–15 minutes. These make perfect finger foods for parties or lunchboxes.

2. Gluten-Free Option

Naturally gluten-free! Just ensure any added ingredients (like bacon or ham) are also gluten-free.

3. Vegan Adaptation

• Use dairy-free mashed potatoes

• Substitute eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp flax + 2.5 tbsp water = 1 egg)

• Replace cheese with vegan cheddar or nutritional yeast

4. Loaded Potato Style

• Add green onions, sour cream, cheddar, bacon bits—just like a loaded baked potato!

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🧊 Storage & Reheating Tips

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

• Freezer: Freeze baked puffs individually for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes.

• To Reheat: Place in the oven or air fryer for best results—this revives their crispy edges.

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📊 Nutritional Info (Per Puff, Approximate)

• Calories: 130

• Protein: 5g

• Carbs: 10g

• Fat: 8g

• Sugar: 1g

• Fiber: 1g

Adjust based on your cheese, milk, and extras.

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📝 Pro Tips for the Best Puffs

1. Use cold mashed potatoes – they hold their shape better and are easier to mix.

2. Grease the muffin tin well – or use parchment muffin liners to avoid sticking.

3. Don’t overmix – just enough to combine.

4. Taste before baking – raw eggs make this tricky, but you can microwave a small spoonful to test seasoning.

5. Let them rest – cooling for 5–10 minutes helps them firm up and release cleanly.

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🎉 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Great for using leftovers creatively

• Kid-friendly and picky-eater approved

• Highly customizable to fit any diet or taste

• Delicious hot or cold

• Ideal for breakfast, lunchboxes, parties, or dinner sides

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🧾 Printable Base Recipe (For Quick Reference)

Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs
Yield: 12 puffs

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mashed potatoes

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 2 eggs

• 1/4 cup Parmesan

• 1/4 cup milk

• 1/4 cup sour cream

• 2 tbsp chopped chives

• Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease muffin tin.

2. Beat eggs, milk, sour cream in bowl.

3. Add mashed potatoes and mix.

4. Fold in cheese, chives, seasonings.

5. Scoop into muffin tins. Top with more cheese.

6. Bake 20–25 min until golden.

7. Cool and enjoy!

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🏁 Final Thoughts

Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs are the kind of dish that proves simple food can be extraordinary. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, you can transform everyday mashed potatoes into golden, irresistible bites of happiness. They’re practical, comforting, and endlessly customizable.