Description
Delicious and easy Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs, perfect as a savory snack or appetizer. These bite-sized treats combine creamy mashed potatoes, melted cheese, fresh chives, and optional bacon or ham, baked until golden and crispy on top.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked mashed potatoes
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup grated cheese, such as Parmesan or Gruyère, divided
- 1/4 cup minced fresh chives
- 1/4 cup diced cooked bacon or ham (optional)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For Preparation
- Cooking spray or butter, for greasing muffin tin
- Sour cream, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat it to 400°F to ensure even baking of the potato puffs.
- Prepare Muffin Tin: Lightly coat the cups of a mini-muffin tin with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups cooked mashed potatoes, 3 beaten eggs, 3/4 cup of the grated cheese, minced chives, and diced bacon or ham if using. Stir well until thoroughly mixed.
- Season the Mixture: Taste the mixture and add kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed, depending on the seasoning of your mashed potatoes.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Spoon the potato mixture evenly into each muffin cup, filling them up but not overflowing.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup grated cheese evenly over the top of each filled muffin cup.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the potato cups are set, browned on top, and heated through.
- Cool and Release: Let the potato puffs cool for about 5 minutes in the pan. Use a spoon or knife to gently loosen and remove them from the muffin tin.
- Serve: Serve immediately, optionally topped with dollops of sour cream for added flavor and creaminess.
Notes
- You can substitute the cheese with cheddar or any other melting cheese you prefer.
- For a vegetarian option, omit the bacon or ham.
- Make sure the mashed potatoes are well seasoned, as that greatly affects the overall flavor of the puffs.
- If you want a crispier texture, you can bake them a few minutes longer, but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Sour cream adds a nice tangy contrast but can be left out if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 puffs
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
