Air Fryer Mashed Potato Balls

These large meatball sized potatoes are
 crispy on the outside and creamy on the
inside. They are a delicious side dish or
light main dish alongside a salad.

Ingredients:

2 cups leftover mashed potatoes, chilled

1/2 cup finely grated cheddar cheese

2 green onions finely chopped

3 slices cooked bacon, chopped or crumbled*

1 cup panko**

1 teaspoon Italian seasonong**

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder**

1 egg

avocado oil cooking spray

marinara sauce (optional)

Method:

Combine the potatoes, cheese, onion and bacon.

Line a small baking sheet or dish with waxed or parchment paper.

Use an ice cream scoop, or your hands, to form balls with a 1/2 cup of the potato mixture. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet.

Freeze for 20 minutes.

Add the panko, Italian seasoning and garlic powder to a small bowl. Stir to mix.

Add the egg to a different bowl and whisk to blend the egg white and yolk.

Spray the air fyer rack with avocado oil spray, or spray a small baking sheet that fits in your air fryer with the oil spray.*** Preheat the air fryer to 375*. 

Dip each potato ball in the egg and allow the excess egg to drip off. Roll the dipped ball in the panko and return to the lined pan. Repeat with all of the potato balls.

Roll each ball again in the remaining crumbs and place on the greased rack or pan. Leave space between the potato balls so that they do not touch.

Spray the tops of the balls lightly with the avocado spray. Cook for 20 minutes or until the outside of the balls are crispy and lightly golden.

Serve as a side dish or if desired, with a side of marinara sauce as a main dish.

Makes 7 potato balls (3 to 7 side dish servings or 2 to 3 maindish servings).

*!/3 cup of diced ham may be substituted for the bacon, or for a meat free option simply omit.

**Italian seasoned bread crumbs may be substituted for the panko and spices.

***I have a French door style air fryer with a wire rack and I use a small baking sheet tht fits nicely inside of the fryer. A basket style air fryer can also be used. Simply grease the bottom of the basket and place the balls so that they are not touching.

Notes:

This recipe may be doubled.

To make appetizer sized potato balls, form balls the size of large marbles. Reduce the freezer time to 10 minutes and the cooking time to 15 minutes, or until the balls are crispy and lightly golden.

These Mashed Potato balls are a great way to make leftover mashed potatoes ~ They are delicious and very simple to make.