Crispy Potato Cheese Balls with a Gooey Center

These potato cheese balls are seriously delicious and so easy to make. You can even take your leftover mashed potatoes and turn them into these crispy little bites that any cheese lover would crave. 

Watch my video below for a simple, step-by-step recipe for creating these delicious Crispy Potato Balls. If you enjoy it, don’t forget to like and subscribe for more easy and tasty recipes!


Why You’ll Love These Crispy Potato Cheese Balls

These potato cheese balls are crispy, cheesy, and super easy to make. They take simple ingredients and turn them into something that tastes like a restaurant-style snack.

showing how cheesy this meatballs are
  • Perfect for leftovers: Do you have extra mashed potatoes? This is one of the easiest and tastiest leftover mashed potato recipes to turn them into something crispy, cheesy, and completely irresistible.
  • Crispy Outside, Gooey Inside: Every bite has a perfect crunch on the outside with warm, melty mozzarella waiting inside. The crispy coating makes them feel like a restaurant-style snack, but they’re so easy to make at home.
  • Quick & Easy: You don’t need any special tools or skills—just mix, shape, coat, and fry! In no time, you’ll have a batch of golden, cheesy bites ready to enjoy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Making these mashed potato cheese balls at home is easier than you think! You just need a few simple ingredients, and you’ll have a crispy, cheesy snack everyone will love.

mashing of potatoes
  • 2 medium potatoes
  • ½ tsp (3g) salt
  • 3-4 tbsp (24g) cornstarch
  • 12pcs Mozzarella cheese cubes
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 tbsp (60g) milk
  • 3 tbsp (24g) cornstarch for coating
  • 1 cup (150g) panko breadcrumbs
  • Oil for frying

I like using panko breadcrumbs because they make the coating extra crispy without soaking up too much oil, so the potato cheese balls stay light and crunchy.


365 by Whole Foods Market, Panko Bread Crumbs, 8 Ounce
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How to Make Potato Cheese Balls

You won’t believe how easy this simple potato cheese balls recipe is to make! Just follow a few simple steps below, and you’ll have crispy, cheesy potato balls ready to enjoy.

coating of potato balls

Step 1: Prepare the Potato Mixture

If you don’t have leftover mashed potatoes, boil two medium potatoes until tender and mash them. Then, mix in salt and cornstarch to create a smooth dough.

Step 2: Shape and Fill the Balls

Take a small handful of the potato mixture and roll it into a ball. Flatten it slightly, place a cube of mozzarella cheese in the center, then wrap the potato mixture around it, sealing the cheese inside. Roll it back into a ball.

adding of mozzarella cheese in the middle

Top Tip: Choose the right cheese! Mozzarella is perfect because it melts beautifully, but you can also try cheddar for a stronger flavor.

Step 3: Coat for Extra Crunch

In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and cornstarch until smooth. Dip each potato cheese ball into the mixture, then roll it in breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to coat evenly.

Step 4: Fry Until Golden and Crispy

Heat oil in a deep pan. Fry the balls for 3-5 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels and let them cool slightly before serving.

fry the potatoes until like this golden brown

Top Tip: Keep the oil hot! If the oil isn’t hot enough, the balls will absorb too much oil and turn soggy instead of crispy. The ideal frying temperature is 350-375°F (175-190°C).

Check Out Also: 11 Clever Ways To Use Leftover Mashed Potatoes For Breakfast.

Homemade Potato Cheese Balls with Simple Ingredients

Recipe by Jen Evansy
0.0 from 0 votes
Course: Snack, AppetizerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

8

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

5

minutes
Calories

250

kcal

25

minutes

These potato cheese balls are crispy on the outside, cheesy on the inside, and incredibly easy to make. Got leftover mashed potatoes? Turn them into these golden, crunchy bites that any cheese lover will enjoy!

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

  • 2 medium potatoes

  • 1 teaspoon (3g) salt

  • 3 tablespoons (24g) cornstarch

  • 3 tablespoons (24g) cornstarch (for coating)

  • 2 pcs eggs

  • 4 tablespoons (60ml) milk

  • 12 pcs mozzarella cheese cubes

  • 1 cup (150g) panko breadcrumbs

  • 1 cup oil for frying

Directions

  • Boil two medium potatoes until they are tender. Mash them to make fresh mashed potatoes.
  • Add salt and cornstarch to the mashed potatoes and mix until well combined.
  • Take a small amount of the potato mixture, roll it into a ball, flatten it, and place a mozzarella cube in the center.
  • Seal the cheese inside the potato mix and roll it into a ball. Repeat for all potato mixture.
  • Prepare the coating mixture by mixing eggs, milk, and cornstarch until smooth and lump-free.
  • Dip each potato cheese ball into the egg mixture and then roll in breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure adherence.
  • Deep fry the potato cheese balls in hot oil for 3 to 5 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  • Remove them from the oil and let them cool for a few minutes before serving to avoid burns.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Chill the Mixture for Better Shaping: If the potato mixture feels too soft, pop it in the fridge for 15–20 minutes. This helps make rolling each potato cheese ball easier and keeps them from falling apart while frying.
  • Don’t Skip the Breadcrumb Coating: A thick, even layer of breadcrumbs gives you extra crispy potato balls. Press the breadcrumbs in gently so they stick well and create that perfect crunch.
  • Test the Oil Before Frying: Drop a small piece of bread in—if it sizzles and browns fast, you’re good to go. Hot oil gives you crispy potato balls without making them greasy!
  • Use Different Fillings: While mozzarella is a classic, you can also try cheddar, gouda, or even a little spicy jalapeño for a fun twist. Get creative and make your own version of these mashed potato cheese balls!

Nutrition Facts

  • Total number of serves: 8
  • Calories: 250kcal
  • Fat: 10g
  • Carbohydrates: 32g
  • Protein: 8g

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Serving Ideas

These crispy potato balls taste amazing on their own, but they’re even better with a dipping sauce.

Try them with:

  • Garlic mayo- Creamy, garlicky, and so easy to make. Just mix mayo, minced garlic, and a squeeze of lemon for a rich, savory dip.
  • Spicy ketchup- classic ketchup with a kick! Stir in some hot sauce or chili flakes for extra heat.
  • Cheese sauce- More cheese? Yes, please! A warm, melty cheese sauce makes these mashed potato balls even better.
  • Ranch dressing- Cool, creamy, and packed with herbs. It’s the perfect dip to balance out the crispy, cheesy goodness.

They also make a great side dish for burgers, sandwiches, or even a bowl of soup.

Can You Bake or Air-Fry These Instead?

Yes! If you want a lighter alternative to making deep-fried mashed potato balls, you can bake or air-fry these potato balls and still get a crispy, golden crust.

Baking Method:

mashed potato cheese balls

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the coated potato balls on a greased baking sheet and lightly spray them with oil. Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they turn golden brown and crispy.

Air-Frying Method:

air frying the potatoes

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the potato cheese balls in a single layer, making sure they aren’t touching. Spray them lightly with oil and air-fry for 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even crispiness.

Both methods give you that delicious crunch with less oil, making them a great option if you want a healthier version of these potato balls!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are My Potato Cheese Balls Falling Apart?

If they break while frying, the potato mixture might be too soft. Add a little more cornstarch to firm up the texture. Also, make sure the oil is hot enough before frying.

Can I Use Different Cheeses?

Absolutely! Mozzarella gives that stretchy, melty center, but cheddar, gouda, or pepper jack work great for different flavors.

cheesy mashed potato balls

Can I Make These Ahead of Time?

Yes! You can shape and coat the balls in advance, then refrigerate or freeze them until you’re ready to fry.

More Recipes You’ll Love

If you liked these leftover mashed potato recipes, you should check out these other delicious potato recipes:

other potato recipes to try

Try one of these recipes next and let me know which one is your favorite!

Whether you have leftover mashed potatoes or just love crispy, cheesy snacks, this simple potato cheese balls recipe is one you’ll want to make again and again. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out!

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About Jen Evansy

Nutritionist, researcher, avid home cook, and writer interested in everything nutrition and food-related. Striving to inform, encourage, and inspire all the readers to make healthy and informed choices when it comes to cooking, food, diet, and nutrition.