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These Loaded Mashed Potato Puffs are fluffy, creamy and a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. Filled with so many good things, like bacon, cheese and chives, they are perfect for a post-holiday brunch or a fun dinner side dish.
Why We Love This Recipe
When I know the holidays are coming, I start thinking about the food. Like ham, cheesy potatoes, and Green Bean Casserole. While Christmas dinner or Easter dinner are common traditions, I actually prefer brunch. These Mashed potato puffs are the perfect addition.
To make these, I used pre-packaged mashed potatoes, which is a great shortcut. But you can also use leftover make ahead mashed potatoes or even Cheesy Mashed Potatoes.
These potato puffs are fluffy and tender on the inside with crispy edges. They are loaded with bacon, cheese and chives and topped with sour cream and more bacon. They look like muffins, and they’re even made in a muffin pan, but you’ll want to dig in with a fork – they’re a little messy to eat with your hands.
The addition of eggs help these Loaded Mashed Potato Puffs to “puff” up nicely and also to stay together. They don’t taste like egg or anything like that, it’s just acting as the binder.
How to Make Mashed Potato Puffs
- First things first, spray the cups of a muffin pan generously with nonstick cooking spray. This is important – they’ll stick if you don’t. You could also use butter to grease them.
- Mix together about 2 ½ cups of leftover mashed potatoes, some cooked and diced bacon, chives, eggs, and lots of cheese.
- Scoop the potato mixture into greased muffin cups.
- Bake until they are nice and golden brown on top and let them cool a bit before removing them. Use a thin knife to loosen them around the edges.
Serving Suggestions
These potato puffs make a great addition for brunch or dinner. Serve them on a platter or tray with a dollop of sour cream and a little chopped bacon and chives on top. Or let your guests top them themselves.
Serve instead of hash browns or in place of whatever potato dish you usually serve.
Storage
Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, wrap a moist paper towel around them or place over them and heat in the microwave for 45-60 seconds.
To freeze, place on a baking sheet and flash freeze for an hour, then store in a plastic freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
More Potato Recipes to Try
- Egg & Cheese Hash Brown Waffles
- German Fried Potatoes (Bratkartoffeln)
- Bacon Ranch Red Potato Salad
- Easy Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Garlic Roasted Baby Potatoes
Loaded Mashed Potato Puffs
Ingredients
- 1 24- ounce package Simply Potatoes Traditional Mashed potatoes about 2 ½ cups
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped chives
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded/grated Parmesan cheese
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- Sour cream chives, cheese and/or crumbled bacon for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray 12 muffin cups generously with nonstick cooking spray. *Very important to spray the pan well to avoid sticking; greasing with butter or vegetable shortening works too.
- In a large bowl, combine ingredients.
- Divide the potato mixture evenly into the 12 muffin cups.
- Bake in the preheated 400 degree oven for 30-35 minutes. Cool slightly before removing each mashed potato puff from its cup. Use a thin knife to loosen if necessary.
- Garnish with sour cream, chopped chives, cheese and bacon if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
Can u make these ahead of time? Then bake at time of dinner?
That would be fine, yes.
Can you freeze theses
I haven’t tried freezing them. I wouldn’t though, because the potatoes would likely get watery when reheating.
Made and baked the potato puffs, then froze them. Zapped them in the microwave for 2 minutes – they turned out perfect ! Maybe will add a little onion next time . Thanks for the great recipe.
You’re so welcome Clare! thank you so much for stopping by!
I love this. when i was little my mom would make the left over mashed potatoes and roll into balls and deep try with egg. we would eat them as a side dish. very delicious. memories of my mom. 🙂
Thank you Gloria for the sweet comment. so glad you enjoyed the recipe.
If I want to make this in the mini-muffin pan, how long should I cook them?
Thank you!
Do the mashed potatoes need to be cooked before mixing everything together?
Nope! They come pre-cooked and mashed, or you can make your own mashed potatoes but either way they are already cooked and can be mixed in cold.
Can u do it with homemade mash taters instead?
can these be prepared ahead of time and then warmed up later??
I haven’t tried that so it’s hard to say for sure. They might dry out a little
Making these tomorrow night! Just bought the ingredients. They look so good!