Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs (Printable Version)
Golden-baked puffs blending creamy mashed potatoes with sharp cheddar, Parmesan, and fresh herbs until irresistibly fluffy.
# What You'll Need:
→ Mashed Potatoes
01 - 2 cups mashed potatoes (from about 3 medium potatoes)
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - ¼ cup whole milk
04 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Cheese & Mix-ins
05 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
06 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 2 tablespoons chopped chives or green onions
09 - ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
→ For Baking
10 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
11 - 1 tablespoon melted butter, for brushing
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet or line with parchment paper.
02 - If not using leftovers, peel, boil, and mash potatoes with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth. Allow to cool slightly.
03 - In a large bowl, combine mashed potatoes, cheddar, Parmesan, eggs, chives, smoked paprika, and flour. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
04 - Use a spoon or small ice cream scoop to form 12 dollops of mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Brush tops with melted butter for extra golden color.
06 - Bake 25–30 minutes until puffs are golden brown and set.
07 - Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm with sour cream, if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Transforms ordinary leftover mashed potatoes into something that feels special enough for company
- The combination of sharp cheddar and smoked paprika creates this incredibly addictive flavor that keeps everyone coming back for seconds
02 -
- Hot mashed potatoes will cook the egg and ruin the texture, so let them cool to at least room temperature before mixing
- These puff up dramatically in the oven but settle slightly as they cool, so don't worry if they seem tall at first
03 -
- Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs on top before the final 5 minutes of baking for extra crunch
- Use a cookie scoop instead of spoons for perfectly uniform puffs that cook evenly