Potato Cheese Balls

Name: Potato Cheese Balls
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: 500 g potatoes (Russet or other starchy type like Idaho); 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 2 Tablespoons chopped green onions; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste); 70 grams cheddar cheese (cut into 20 ½ inch cubes*); ¼ teaspoon black pepper; ¼ teaspoon dried basil; ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes; 2 large eggs; 1 Tablespoon water; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon red chili powder; 1 cup bread crumbs; ½ cup all-purpose flour; Oil for frying

Posted ByPrecious

Published Aug 23, 2024

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Potato Cheese Balls are crunchy on the outside, with gooey cheese in the middle. They are easy to make, taste amazingly delicious, and a favorite of both kids and adults.

This recipe is a hit because it merges the irresistible flavor of cheese with the creamy texture of potatoes, all wrapped up in a crunchy exterior. It makes quite an impressive side dish, served with your favorite dipping sauce!

A potato cheese ball open with stretchy cheese inside.

The blend of textures and flavors in this appetizer make it unforgettable. I always order cheesy appetizers like this when I go to restaurants. Some of my favorites have been mac and cheese bites at a local restaurant and mozzarella sticks which we enjoyed during our family vacation at Lake Havasu.

I was eager to have a cheesy reliable appetizer recipe here on the blog and this one is save-worthy. So, whether you are throwing a party or just looking to have something as a snack, these potato cheese balls will captivate your taste buds!

Golden brown balls of fried mashed potatoes.

You are more than welcome to try other snacks recipes too if you have been looking for recipes similar to this. You will enjoy definitely my Chicken Drumsticks Lollipops and Pizza Toast recipes, so do not forget to add those recipes to your to-make list, too!

Potato Cheese Balls Recipe
Ingredients Needed!
Potato Cheese Balls Recipe Variations
Substitutions
How to Make Potato Cheese Balls

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Step 2: Combine the Ingredients Together
Step 3: Prepare the Cheese Cubes
Step 4: Make the Balls
Step 4: Coat the Balls
Step 5: Fry the Balls

Expert Tips For Potato Cheese Balls
Serving
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Potato Cheese Balls Recipe

Potato Cheese Balls Recipe

With this simple potato cheese balls recipe, you can get please both, snack enthusiasts and cheese lovers. The cheesy, creamy interior of these cheese potato balls is complemented by a crunchy and crispy crust.

Although this appetizer might seem a bit fancy, it is quite easy to make, requiring minimal effort and list of ingredients.

A common route to go when making Potato Cheese Balls is to use leftover mashed potatoes. But that doesn’t often work out well as mashed potatoes have other ingredients like butter and milk or cream that make it too wet.

If you use leftover mashed potatoes, you might need to add some flour to the mash to absorb some of the wetness. That way, you can make cheesy fried mashed potato balls!

I assure you that this potato cheese balls recipe will be a favorite in your home. Save this recipe for special occasions like Thanksgiving or Christmas. These cheesy potato balls also make a great after school snack!

So, run to the nearest grocery store and get the ingredients that you may be lacking since you do not want to miss out on this delicious and easy to prepare snack. And if you decide to give it a go, do not forget to rate it with stars below and tell me how it turned out!

Ingredients Needed!

Here are the main elements of this recipe that you should know. Every component used in the preparation of the potato cheese balls is very vital in the making of tasty and mouth-watering balls.

Potatoes: The foundation of the recipe that contributes to the creaminess of the dish. For the best outcomes, it is recommended to use starchy potatoes like Russets as they mash well and hold their shape.
Cheese: Cheese cubes melt inside the balls for that ooey gooey middle. Cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese is preferable to be used in this case. Cheddar has a strong, biting taste while mozzarella has a very delicate and very slightly sweet taste with the best-melted texture.
Breadcrumbs: Adds a crispy coating. You can use panko breadcrumbs if you want the exterior to be extra crispy, while you can use regular breadcrumbs for the normal crunch.
Seasonings: Spices such as salt, black pepper add taste. Garlic powder, onion powder and a hint of paprika give it a nice umami.
Eggs: To help with the binding and to give a nice crust on the outside. They play the role of a binder for the breadcrumbs and guarantee a beautiful crust.

There are other ingredients that are needed in this recipe, please do not forget to look at the recipe card below, and there you will find the detailed list of all the ingredients and their measurements.

Potato Cheese Balls Recipe Variations

Potato cheese balls can be prepared in numerous ways depending on your preferred taste. Here are a few ideas:

Make it spicier: If you want to give the potato mixture a spicy kick, you can add finely chopped jalapenos, a dash of hot sauce or some chili flakes.
Make use of herbs: Add in more fresh herbs such as dill, basil, cilantro, or thyme to give it a nice depth of flavor.
Add bacon: For a smoky and savory touch, add cooked crumbled bacon.
Add veggies: For additional color and nutrients, you can add chopped bell peppers, sweet corn, or spinach.

Substitutions

No need to worry, if you do not have all the ingredients present now! Here are a few substitutions that will work just as well:

Potatoes: Sweet potatoes can be utilized to give a distinct flavor and increase their nutritional value.
Cheese: Any kind of melting cheese can be used, like Swiss cheese, Gouda cheese, American cheese or pepper jack cheeses.
Breadcrumbs: Instead of breadcrumbs, use crushed cornflakes, crackers, or even finely ground oats.
Eggs: If you are looking for an egg-free option, a combination of milk and a small amount of flour can be utilized as a binder.

How to Make Potato Cheese Balls

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

First, wash and then cut the potatoes into equal pieces in order to cook them evenly.

Place them in a large pot of cold water, and then put the pot on the heat, and bring the water to a boil.

Boil the potatoes until they are soft and it is easy to poke through them with a fork, about 15-20 minutes. After that, drain the potatoes and put them back into the pot or into a bowl. To make the potatoes smooth and without lumps, use a potato masher or a fork to mash them. Allow the mashed potatoes to cool down a little.

Step 2: Combine the Ingredients Together

In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, salt, pepper garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, diced green onions and minced parsley. For some heat, you can add a small amount of cayenne pepper. Mix together until all the ingredients are well incorporated.

Mashed potatoes with seasoning added in.

Step 3: Prepare the Cheese Cubes

Cut cheddar or mozzarella cheese into 20 cubes. It’s okay if they are not perfect cubes. Season the cheese cubes with black pepper, red chili flakes, and dried basil. Toss well to combine.

Step 4: Make the Balls

Now, divide the potato mixture into 20 equal portions with the help of a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop. They should all be of almost the same size to promote even cooking.

Potato balls formed out of mashed potatoes.

Flatten one ball on your palm, add a seasoned cheese cube, then fold the mashed potato over the cube, ensuring that the cheese cube is fully covered with potato. Roll between both palms to form a neat ball.

Adding cheese cubes to mashed potato balls.

If your palms get too sticky while making the potato balls, wet them with water or rub some oil on them.

Step 4: Coat the Balls

Create a dipping station for the potato cheese balls: In a small bowl, whisk eggs with red chili powder, salt and water to create the wet mixture. Add the flour to a small plate. Also add the breadcrumbs to a small plate.

To coat the balls: first, roll each potato ball in flour. Then roll in the egg mixture, and lastly in breadcrumbs.

Egg mixture, flour on a plate, and breadcrumbs for potato cheese balls coating.

Repeat the process until you have coated all the balls.

For extra crispy balls, dip the ball again into the egg mixture and then into the breadcrumbs the second time.

Step 5: Fry the Balls

To deep-fry the balls, heat oil in a deep frying pan or in a deep fryer to a temperature of 370℉/187C (measured with a deep-fry thermometer). Slowly put the potato cheese balls into the hot oil, do not put too many at once to avoid overcrowding the pan. They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside, normally it takes 3 to 5 minutes on medium heat.

Using a slotted spoon transfer the balls from the oil to a plate lined with paper towel to drain out any excess oil.

And that is how you make the perfect homemade potato cheese balls. The cheese pull when you break into a ball is everything! Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Love cheese? Also check out my incredible 3 Cheese Mac and Cheese.

Expert Tips For Potato Cheese Balls

To make your potatoes not too hard and not too soft, monitor the potatoes while boiling them. I like to check my potatoes after 10 minutes of boiling.
Smaller pieces of potatoes will cook in no time. I stick a knife into the potato to check. If the knife glides very smoothly. I will poke one more time but this time from the other side to guarantee that potato is well done.
Never leave a boiled potato in water: The primary reason as to why potatoes turn mushy is due to the fact that they are left to cook for long in boiling water or as soon as they are boiled, they are put in cold water to cool them down. Too much water will be absorbed by the potatoes and they will become very soft and even watery.
Fry the potato cheese balls in batches to avoid sticking of the balls to each other. Overcrowding the pan can cause the oil temperature to reduce and the balls to turn out greasy and soft. Frying the balls in small quantities helps to make sure that all of them are cook to the right crispness.
These potato cheese balls can be prepared in advance and kept in the refrigerator or even in the freezer. To refrigerate, place the formed and breaded balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and cover them with plastic wrap. They can be fried the next day.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for two to three days. I recommend heating them up in an air fryer so they crisp up nicely. Place the balls in a single layer in an air fryer basket and reheat following the reheat directions of your specific air fryer.