Air Fryer Mashed Potato Balls

Air fryer mashed potato balls are tasty crispy snacks or a side dish. The best leftover mashed potatoes recipe even your kids will love.

Potato Cakes from Mashed Potatoes

Years ago I shared how to make air fryer mashed potatoes with sweet or Russet potatoes. I have to be honest, I only use this with my leftover garlic mashed potatoes but you could easily make them just because as well. The steps aren’t much different than anything else that is lightly breaded.

If you want to amp them up though, mashed potato balls with cheese is killer too. Just dice up a bit of mozzarella, flatten it a bit and roll it back up. Once it is heated and bit into the middle will ooze out and surprise your family.

Leftover Mashed Potato Balls

When would you make these? I mean you aren’t constricted to after Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter time but that is when they’re made in my home.

Air Fryer Mashed Potato Cakes

I mean it doesn’t matter what shape they are in really. The timing is for small palm size balls though but if you wanted to make a bit larger but smash down into more of a patty that would work too.

What are potato balls made of?

The base is just a scoop of your mashed mixture. You can form them into balls or flatter like potato cakes. As far as the ingredients inside that mixture you probably have your own favorite mix ins. Usual ones would be butter, milk, sour cream and maybe some bacon bits.

You need something to roll them in though as a binding agent of sorts so they don’t fall apart. Cornstarch slurry will dry out the very outside a bit before rolling them into Panko breadcrumbs. A light spray of olive oil is what is used for everything “fried” in a Cosori or other brand.

Air Fryer Potato Balls

If you are used to deep frying all the things, stop. You can air fry everything to the same crispiness without adding all of that fat, calories, and yucky aftertaste. If you are new to this method of cooking you’ll be pleasantly surprised, and may likely give away your fryer very soon.

I mean it is January and I think we all at least have the intentions of eating better and taking care of ourselves this year. It’s mine every year at least and this is one way you can do just that. This is what you’re going to need to get started;

1. Batch of leftover mashed potatoes, about 2 cups will do
2. Breadcrumbs
3. Cornstarch and some water to make a slurry
4. Olive oil spray

And if you want to stuff them with cheese you’d want some of that too. You could even add a pinch of bacon bits inside too. I mean go with whatever will make you smile.

You can see here what you’d do if you wanted to make them cheese stuffed. Pepper jack would be great as an alternative to mozzarella. They look a little like our air fryer hushpuppies when done, another easy side dish recipe that goes well with dinner.

If it IS after Christmas or whatever and you also have other things in the fridge that need to be used up, I’d suggest one of our leftover ham recipes with these. OR you could dice that up real fine and add it into the middle! Ok I went on a tangent there but still a good idea. 😉

Sweet Potato Balls Air Fryer

You could use the inners from sweet taters too which would be wonderful. You could even roll them in cinnamon and sugar when done so it was more like a sweet treat vs. a savory side dish.

Still have more and you hate throwing them away? Make air fryer potato pancakes with them and if you love finger food like this for dinner or brunch, our Bisquick sausage balls are wonderful too.

Air Fried Mashed Potato Balls

There is a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post you can jump to recipe and get started. Here is a quick step by step look on how it is done though.

• Form small balls with leftover mashed potatoes. This should make about 20 if you have 2 cups. Set aside while you preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees.
• In a shallow bowl whisk together cornstarch and water. Pour bread crumbs in another shallow dish.
• If you want to stuff with white or cheddar cheese flatten each ball. Put small pieces in the middle and roll back up into a ball.
• One at a time roll each one into the cornstarch slurry, then roll into breadcrumbs until coated.
• Spray inside of air fryer basket with non stick cooking spray. Place coated balls in a single layer.
• Spray tops with olive oil spray lightly so they get golden brown. Cook for 7 minutes total, turn each one after 3 minutes. Remove when browned and enjoy.

Total prep time is about 15 minutes so set aside about 20 to make these from start to finish. Not too bad if you ask me. Serve them up as is or with ketchup (says my kids) on the side. Sprinkle with salt and pepper at the end if desired and enjoy.