Description

Leftover Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs are a delightful way to transform your mashed potatoes into golden, cheesy, and savory bites. These puffed treats are packed with cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, fresh chives, and a creamy sour cream base, baked to perfection in a muffin tin. Perfect as a snack or a side dish, they offer a comforting and flavorful way to reduce food waste while enjoying a delicious and easy appetizer or side.

Ingredients

Scale

Mashed Potato Mixture

3 cups mashed potatoes
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or your favorite melting cheese)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chives, chopped
1/3 cup sour cream
Salt to taste
2 eggs, beaten

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a muffin tin to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the puffs.
Mix Eggs and Sour Cream: In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs thoroughly and then stir in the sour cream until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Add Cheese and Chives: Incorporate the shredded cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, chopped chives, and a pinch of salt into the egg and sour cream mixture. Mix until evenly blended to distribute all flavors.
Fold in Mashed Potatoes: Gently fold the mashed potatoes into the cheese and egg mixture, making sure the mixture is homogeneous without overmixing to keep a light texture.
Fill Muffin Tin: Spoon the combined mixture into the greased muffin tin, filling each cup to the very top to achieve puffed, rounded tops after baking.
Bake: Bake the puffs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the tops turn golden brown and puffed well, indicating they are cooked through and crisp on the outside.
Cool and Serve: Allow the cheese puffs to cool for a few minutes in the tin before carefully removing them. Serve warm as a delicious side dish or snack.

Notes

You can substitute cheddar with mozzarella or any other melting cheese for a different flavor profile.
Adding herbs like parsley or thyme can enhance the flavor further.
For a gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Make sure not to overmix to keep the texture light and puffy.
These cheese puffs can be reheated in the oven to regain crispness before serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Leftover mashed potatoes, cheese puffs, cheesy snacks, baked potato puffs, easy appetizer, savory snack, comfort food