Crispy Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls Recipe (Print Version)

Crispy Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls are a game-changer! Learn my easy recipe for crunchy potato perfection, loaded with cheese. Perfect snack or side.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Potato Base

01 - 3 cups cold mashed potatoes (leftovers work best!)
02 - 1 large egg, lightly beaten

→ Flavor & Cheese

03 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

→ Crispy Coating

08 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
09 - 1 large egg, whisked
10 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
11 - Olive oil spray (or avocado oil spray)

→ For Serving (Optional)

12 - Sour cream
13 - Fresh chives, chopped
14 - Sriracha mayo

# Instructions:

01 - Grab a big bowl and toss in your cold mashed potatoes, shredded cheddar, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Now, get your hands in there! Gently mix everything until it’s just combined. You don't want to overmix, or your potatoes can get gummy. I always smell that wonderful cheesy garlic aroma right at this step, and honestly, it makes my stomach rumble every time. This is where I sometimes forget to add enough salt, so give it a little taste!
02 - Take about 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of the potato mixture and roll it into a neat little ball. I aim for golf-ball size, but honestly, whatever size you like works. Just try to keep them consistent so they cook evenly. This is where the cold potatoes really shine; they’re so much easier to handle. My kids sometimes help with this part, and let's just say some of their "balls" are more like abstract art, but hey, it's all delicious in the end!
03 - This step is CRUCIAL for truly crispy Air Fryer Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls. Place your formed potato balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop them into the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or even an hour. This helps them firm up and prevents them from falling apart in the air fryer. I’ve definitely skipped this before and ended up with a potato-cheese explosion in my air fryer basket – not ideal, trust me!
04 - Get three shallow bowls ready. In the first, put your all-purpose flour. In the second, whisk another egg (if you need more, grab it!). In the third, pour your panko breadcrumbs. This assembly line makes coating so much easier, and a little less messy. I usually have a dedicated 'wet hand' and 'dry hand' for this to avoid total chaos, but sometimes I just embrace the floury fingers, honestly.
05 - Take each chilled potato ball and roll it first in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the whisked egg, letting any extra drip off. Finally, roll it generously in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to make sure they stick. You want a nice, even coating all around. This is what gives them that beautiful golden crunch in the air fryer. The texture of the panko feels so satisfying as it coats each ball!
06 - Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the potato balls with olive oil spray. Place them in a single layer in your air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it – cook in batches if you need to! Air fry for 10-14 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they’re golden brown and wonderfully crispy. When I pull them out, they're always sizzling and that cheesy smell fills the kitchen; it’s just the best feeling!

# Notes:

01 - Always chill your potato balls before frying; it's the secret to keeping them intact and super crispy.
02 - Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket; airflow is key for that even golden crisp.
03 - A light spray of oil makes a huge difference for browning, so don't skip it!
04 - Try adding a pinch of smoked paprika to the mashed potato mix for an extra layer of flavor.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Air fryer
02 - large mixing bowl
03 - baking sheet
04 - parchment paper
05 - 3 shallow bowls

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 250
Total Fat: 12g
Total Carbohydrate: 28g
Protein: 8g

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