Crispy Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs Your Family Will Crave

These Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs are everything you love about mashed potatoes creamy, cheesy, cozy transformed into irresistible little golden bites your whole family will crave.

Crispy on the outside, soft and airy on the inside, and overflowing with melted cheese, these savory puffs are perfect for weeknight dinners, holiday spreads, game days, or as a clever way to repurpose leftover mashed potatoes.

Add cozy sides like Crockpot Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

Light, fluffy, and deeply comforting, these puffs are a heartwarming recipe that proves simple ingredients can create pure joy. Whether you’re serving them as appetizers, side dishes, or snackable comfort food, they deliver warm, cozy flavors every time.

What Are Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs / Why They’re Special

Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs are made by combining mashed potatoes, eggs, cheese, herbs, and a few simple ingredients to transform them into little savory muffins baked until golden and crisp. They deliver a delicious contrast: a crunchy, browned exterior with a smooth and velvety center.

What makes them truly special:

• They use leftover mashed potatoes budget-friendly & zero waste.
• The crisp outside + creamy inside texture is incredibly satisfying.
• They work for breakfast, dinner, appetizers, meal prep, holidays.
• The flavor is easy to customize (cheddar, parmesan, mozzarella, jalapeño…).
• They’re oven-baked no frying, just cozy comfort.

Serve elegance with Duchess Potatoes For Christmas

Add a festive fresh touch with our Festive Caprese Salad arranged like a Christmas tree

Ingredients You’ll Need

Mashed Potato Base

• 2 cups mashed potatoes (leftovers work perfectly)
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp melted butter

Cheese & Mix-Ins

• 1 cup shredded cheddar or Gruyère
• ¼ cup grated parmesan
• 2 tbsp chives or green onions, chopped
• Optional: jalapeño slices, garlic powder, paprika

Seasonings

• ½ tsp sea salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 – Prep the Batter

Place mashed potatoes in a mixing bowl. Add eggs, sour cream or yogurt, melted butter, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth.

Step 2 – Add Cheese & Herbs

Fold in cheddar, parmesan, and chopped chives. The mixture should be thick but scoopable.

Step 3 – Fill the Muffin Pan

Grease a mini muffin pan or use nonstick spray. Scoop 1–2 tablespoons per mold, mounding slightly for taller puffs.

Step 4 – Bake Until Crispy

Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes until edges turn golden and tops puff.

Step 5 – Cool & Serve

Let sit 5 minutes before removing (they firm as they cool). Serve warm.

Tips / Variations / Why You’ll Love It

Tips

• Use cold leftover mashed potatoes they puff better.
• Add an extra egg for lighter, fluffier puffs.
• Grease the muffin pan well; cheese can stick!
• Let them cool slightly so they set and release easily.

Variations

• Bacon Cheddar Puffs add crispy bacon bits.
• Broccoli Cheddar Minis chopped steamed broccoli.
• Jalapeño Popper Puffs diced jalapeños + cream cheese.
• Parmesan Herb Puffs thyme + rosemary + parmesan.

Why You’ll Love It

• Quick, cozy, comforting.
• Kid-friendly and picky-eater approved.
• Freezer-friendly, perfect for batch cooking.
• Versatile for holidays, snacks, breakfast, sides, and appetizers.

✨ How to Get the Crispiest Golden Shell

Unlike most recipes, this method ensures a truly crispy exterior:

• Preheat muffin pan in oven for 5 minutes before filling
• Add ½ teaspoon melted butter into each mold
• Spoon batter into hot butter for a sizzling edge
• Bake high temp (400°F+) to puff instantly
• Finish under broiler 1–2 minutes for restaurant-style browning

This creates the “fried-but-not-fried” texture that makes these puffs unforgettable.

✨Holiday & Weeknight Batch-Freezing System

You can turn this recipe into a ready-to-go freezer staple:

To freeze:

1. Bake puffs fully
2. Cool completely
3. Freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag
4. Reheat directly from frozen at 375°F for 10–12 minutes

Benefits:

• Perfect for Christmas hosting
• Kids can grab & reheat individually
• Great school lunch or after-school snack
• Keeps texture surprisingly well

FAQs

Conclusion

These Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs are crispy, creamy, cheesy, and the ultimate cozy comfort bite. Easy to bake, easy to customize, and impossible to stop eating, they’re guaranteed to become a family favorite perfect for weeknights, holidays, and everything in between.