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Unsure what to do with some leftover mashed potatoes? I have got you covered! Air fryer mashed potato balls are so simple, taste delicious and are a great way to cut food waste too.
For us mashed potatoes are a real staple. Our 5-year-old will ALWAYS eat them, especially if served with onion gravy (minus the onions though!) and it is a great way to bulk out a meal for a very low cost too.
When we have leftovers we like to keep them in the fridge and then I turn them into these mashed potato balls.
Air fryer mash potato balls work great when served with a roast dinner, alongside sage and onion stuffing (or air fryer stuffing balls), and a delicious slow cooker whole chicken.
These mashed potato balls are super simple to make and take just 15 minutes to cook. I’ve also made them using root vegetable mash too in the past for something a little different.
While you’re here be sure to check out my air fryer tips and tricks and my best potato recipes. Whether you’re a total beginner to air frying, or just looking to get more from your air fryer, this is sure to help!
Ingredients for air fryer mashed potato balls:
300g of leftover mashed potato
1 egg
50g of breadcrumbs (homemade or packet are fine). If you want a different texture then consider some Panko breadcrumbs.
Salt and pepper
Method for making mashed potato balls in the air fryer:
Take your leftover mashed potatoes.
Whisk one egg in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Measure your breadcrumbs into a separate bowl.
Use a small ice cream scoop, or two tablespoons to roll your leftover mashed potato in small balls. The smaller the better to avoid them breaking up!
Once rolled dip the mashed potato balls into egg and then breadcrumbs.
Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray oil.
Add the mashed potato balls into the air fryer basket.
Air fry at 200C (390F) for 15 minutes. Check, and gently shake, at 5 minutes, then 10 minutes in, just to avoid the balls sticking to the bottom of the air fryer basket.
Serve with tomato ketchup and enjoy.
Want to make these mashed potato balls a little creamier?
Add some cream cheese or sour cream into the mix, just a splash, and then mix well. Sprinkle a few green spring onions on the top of the sour cream dish to bring some extra flavour. They’re great served with air fryer green beans too.
Looking to make these Vegan?
Just make sure that you are using a Vegan butter alternative, or Vegan margarine.
Can you air fry mashed potato balls?
Yes, they go SO crispy. Just follow this recipe basically!
Why not make these cheese stuffed mashed potato balls?
Vintage cheddar cheese works well for these, or you could add a mix of your favourite cheeses, red Leicester and even mozzarella would work really well.
Want to make loaded mashed potato balls?
Add a little cooked chopped bacon rashers, or bacon lardons, into the mix.
Sour cream dip goes great with loaded mashed potato balls.
Can you reheat these?
As you’re already used cooked leftover mashed potatoes I would recommend not re-heating these after you make them. For food safety reasons.
Make these fresh when you want to eat them OR prepare them in the egg and breadcrumb mixture before freezing and cooking on the day you want to eat them, giving them an extra 5 minutes at 180C before turning up to 200C for 15 minutes. Check they are piping hot before serving.
How to warm up mashed potatoes in the air fryer?
I find that 3-4 minutes, at 200C, is enough to reheat mashed potatoes, however it depends on the quantity. I like to line the bottom of the air fryer basket and spread my creamy mashed potatoes across the bottom.
If you want to jazz them up a little more then add some cheddar cheese or even a little cream! Cream cheese is another great way to make creamy mashed potatoes.
What sauces work well with this?
Tomato ketchup, onion gravy or BBQ sauce all go well! This would work great for little ones to have with baked beans or spaghetti hoops too.
Why not check out some of my other delicious air fryer recipes while you’re here?
- 20+ air fryer tips and tricks
- Frozen fish pie in air fryer
- Air fryer roast potatoes
- Air fryer french toast
- Air fryer parmentier potatoes
- Air fryer frozen roast potatoes
- Air fryer chicken tenders
- Chicken mini fillets in the air fryer
- Air fryer chocolate protein oats
- Air fryer smores
Something to note about air fryer recipes is that all air fryers have different sizes, depths and as such the cooking times can vary. All air fryer recipes on this website are intended as a guide, and not a guarantee that the timings will be perfect. Enjoy!
How to make mashed potato balls in the air fryer:
Air fryer mashed potato balls
Use leftover mashed potato and turn into these crispy, delicious air fryer mashed potato balls
Ingredients
- 300 g of leftover mashed potato
- 1 egg
- 50 g of breadcrumbs homemade or packet are fine. If you want a different texture then consider some Panko breadcrumbs.
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
-
Take your leftover mashed potatoes.
-
Whisk one egg in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
-
Measure your breadcrumbs into a separate bowl.
-
Use a small ice cream scoop, or two tablespoons to roll your leftover mashed potato in small balls. The smaller the better to avoid them breaking up!
-
Once rolled dip the mashed potato balls into egg and then breadcrumbs.
-
Spray the air fryer basket with spray oil.
-
Add the mashed potato balls into the air fryer basket.
-
Air fry at 200C (390F) for 16 minutes. Check, and gently shake, at 5 minutes, then 10 minutes in, just to avoid the balls sticking to the bottom of the air fryer basket.
-
Serve with tomato ketchup and enjoy.
Note: All calorie information is for demonstration purposes only and is based on the specific uncooked ingredients that I used when creating the recipe.
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