Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs (Print)
Golden baked puffs combining creamy mashed potatoes with melted cheddar, Parmesan, and herbs for crispy, fluffy bites.
# What You Need:
→ For the 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 (optional)
→ For Baking
10 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or use gluten-free flour blend, if needed)
11 - 1 tablespoon melted butter, for brushing
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease or line a baking sheet 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 a dollop of sour cream, if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These transform humble mashed potatoes into something so decadent your friends will think you spent hours on them
- The combination of sharp cheddar and smoky paprika creates layers of flavor that keep everyone reaching for just one more
02 -
- I once used hot freshly made potatoes and the eggs started to cook before everything even hit the oven, so let those potatoes cool down first
- Underbaking is the most common mistake, so make sure they are truly set in the middle or they will collapse while cooling
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients incorporate more easily and prevent those pesky lumps in your mixture
- Use a cookie scoop for perfectly uniform puffs that bake evenly and look professionally made