Introduction

These Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs are a delightful twist on classic mashed potatoes, transforming them into crispy, bite-sized treats perfect for snacks or appetizers. Filled with cheese, fresh chives, and savory bacon or ham, they’re sure to please any crowd.

This image shows a wooden cutting board holding ten small, round egg muffins arranged close together. Each muffin has a golden-brown crust with a textured top of cooked eggs and tiny bits of vegetables or cheese, giving a slightly rough surface. Five of the muffins in the front row are topped with a dollop of creamy white sour cream, each garnished with two small, green chive pieces. Behind the board, there is a white bowl filled with more sour cream and three more muffins cooling on a metal rack. The whole setup rests on a white marbled surface, and a folded blue cloth is partially visible in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

Cooking spray or butter
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
Freshly ground black pepper
Sour cream, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F and arrange a rack in the middle position. Lightly coat the cups of a mini-muffin tin with cooking spray or butter.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cooked mashed potatoes, beaten eggs, 3/4 cup of grated cheese, minced chives, and diced bacon or ham if using. Stir well to mix evenly. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, considering the seasoning already in your mashed potatoes.
Step 3: Spoon the potato mixture evenly into each muffin cup. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese on top of each filled cup.
Step 4: Bake for about 20 minutes until the puffs are set, golden on top, and heated through. Allow them to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before gently loosening with a spoon or knife.
Step 5: Serve warm, optionally topped with dollops of sour cream for extra creaminess.

Tips & Variations

Use leftover mashed potatoes for convenience and added flavor from their original seasoning.
Swap the cheese for sharp cheddar or mozzarella for a different flavor profile.
For a vegetarian option, omit the bacon or ham and add extra chives or sautéed mushrooms.
Make them ahead and refrigerate before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Storage

Store any leftover puffs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes to restore their crispiness. Avoid microwaving to keep the texture from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

The image shows a group of golden-brown baked mini egg muffins with a slightly crispy outer edge and a soft, textured inside filled with bits of vegetables and cheese. Four of the muffins are topped with a dollop of white sour cream and small green chive pieces on top. They are all arranged closely together on a light wooden board placed on a white marbled surface. In the background, there is a white bowl filled with sour cream and a cooling rack holding more of the same muffins, all set against a white marbled background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen mashed potatoes for this recipe?

Yes, thaw the frozen mashed potatoes completely and drain any excess moisture before mixing to ensure the puffs hold together well.

What can I serve with Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs?

They make a great side or appetizer alongside soups, salads, or roasted meats. Serving them with sour cream or a dipping sauce like ranch or a spicy aioli adds extra flavor.

Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 139 reviews

These Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, combining fluffy mashed potatoes with rich cheese, fresh chives, and optional bacon or ham. Perfect as a savory appetizer or a side dish, they bake to golden perfection in a mini-muffin tin and are delightful served warm with a dollop of sour cream.

Author: Lila
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 24 mini puffs 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Basic Ingredients

Cooking spray or butter, for greasing
2 cups cooked mashed potatoes
3 large eggs, beaten
1 cup grated cheese (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
Sour cream, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Arrange a rack in the middle of your oven and heat it to 400°F (205°C). Lightly coat the cups of a mini-muffin tin with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
Prepare the Mixture: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of cooked mashed potatoes, 3 beaten eggs, 3/4 cup of the grated cheese, 1/4 cup minced fresh chives, and if using, 1/4 cup diced cooked bacon or ham. Stir well to mix all ingredients evenly. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting based on how seasoned the mashed potatoes already are.
Fill Muffin Cups: Spoon the potato mixture evenly into each greased muffin cup, filling them up. Then, sprinkle the tops of each filled cup with the remaining 1/4 cup of grated cheese for a golden crust.
Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the puffs are set, golden brown on top, and heated through.
Cool and Serve: Let the puffs cool in the tin for about 5 minutes to set. Then gently release them from the muffin cups using a spoon or knife. Serve immediately, optionally topped with dollops of sour cream for added creaminess.

Notes

Make sure the mashed potatoes are well-seasoned as this affects the final flavor.
Using Gruyère will give a nuttier flavor compared to Parmesan; both work well.
These puffs are best served warm for optimum texture and flavor.
You can omit the bacon or ham for a vegetarian version.
Leftovers can be reheated in the oven to retain crispiness.

Keywords: cheesy mashed potato puffs, potato appetizers, mini potato bites, baked potato puffs, party snacks, Parmesan potato bites, Gruyère potato puffs