If you love the comforting creaminess of mashed potatoes combined with a crispy, golden exterior and a surprise of melty cheese inside, then you are going to adore this Mashed Potato Bombs Recipe. These delightful little bites are perfect for snacking, serving as an appetizer to wow your guests, or complementing your main dish as a scrumptious side. The balance of fluffy potatoes, savory fillings, and crunch will make you want to keep these bombs coming off the plate, bite after glorious bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Mashed Potato Bombs Recipe relies on a handful of simple, everyday ingredients that come together beautifully to create a dish bursting with flavor and texture. Each item plays a key role—from bringing creaminess and richness to adding a crispy finish and irresistible gooey centers.
- 2 cups mashed potatoes (cold, firm): Cold mashed potatoes hold their shape best when forming the bombs, so leftovers work perfectly here.
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese: This adds the gooey, cheesy surprise inside that melts perfectly during cooking.
- ½ cup cooked bacon bits or ham (optional): A smoky, savory touch that elevates the flavor and adds a nice texture contrast.
- 1 egg, beaten: Acts as the perfect glue for coating and binding the breadcrumbs to the potato balls.
- 1 cup breadcrumbs: Essential for that crispy golden crust which makes every bite so satisfying.
- Oil for frying (or spray for baking/air frying): Whether you prefer frying or a healthier bake, oil is the key to achieving that irresistible crunch.
How to Make Mashed Potato Bombs Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Mashed Potatoes
Start with cold, firm mashed potatoes to ensure your bombs hold their shape without falling apart. If you’re starting from freshly made mashed potatoes, pop them in the fridge until completely chilled before assembling.
Step 2: Form the Potato Base
Scoop out a generous spoonful of the mashed potatoes and flatten it slightly on your palm or a clean surface. This forms the base where all the delicious fillings will nestle inside.
Step 3: Add the Cheese and Bacon
Place a little shredded cheddar cheese and some cooked bacon bits or ham in the center of the flattened potato. This filling will turn beautifully melty inside once cooked, delivering that fantastic surprise with every bite.
Step 4: Seal and Roll into Balls
Carefully fold the potato around the filling and roll it between your hands until you have a smooth, sealed ball. This is where that cold potato really helps—keeping everything snug and giving you a perfect canvas for the crispy outer crust.
Step 5: Coat with Egg and Breadcrumbs
Dip each potato ball into the beaten egg, making sure it’s fully coated, then roll it thoroughly in breadcrumbs. This creates the crunch that contrasts so nicely with the soft interior.
Step 6: Cook Until Golden
Fry your potato bombs in hot oil at 350°F until they are a beautiful golden brown all over. Alternatively, bake them at 400°F for about 20 minutes or use an air fryer with a light spray of oil for a lighter version. Either way, watch for that crisp golden finish!
How to Serve Mashed Potato Bombs Recipe
Garnishes
To take your Mashed Potato Bombs Recipe to the next level, garnish with freshly chopped herbs like parsley or chives for a bright pop of color and freshness. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan right after cooking can add an extra layer of savory goodness too.
Side Dishes
These bombs shine alongside a fresh salad to balance out the richness, or pair them with a tangy dipping sauce such as ranch, spicy mayo, or garlic aioli for an extra flavor boost. They’re also fantastic served with grilled veggies or a hearty soup for a satisfying meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Make a fun appetizer platter by arranging your mashed potato bombs with different dipping sauces in small bowls. You can even stick toothpicks in them for easy party snacking or turn them into a playful “potato bomb” tower to wow your guests visually and taste-wise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover mashed potato bombs (which is hard to believe!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They maintain their flavor well but will lose some of their crispness, so reheating properly is key.
Freezing
These bombs freeze beautifully! Arrange them on a baking sheet so they’re not touching and freeze until solid before transferring into a freezer-safe bag. This method prevents them from sticking together and lets you enjoy them later without compromising on texture or taste.
Reheating
To reheat, avoid the microwave if possible since that’ll make the coating soggy. Instead, pop them in a hot oven or air fryer until crispy and warmed through. This revives their crunch and gooey center, almost as good as fresh!
FAQs
Can I use instant mashed potatoes for this recipe?
While fresh mashed potatoes tend to hold their shape better, instant mashed potatoes can work if prepared firmly and allowed to cool completely. Be sure to adjust moisture so it’s not too soft.
Are Mashed Potato Bombs gluten-free?
The classic recipe uses breadcrumbs which contain gluten, but you can easily swap in gluten-free breadcrumbs to make a version suitable for gluten sensitivities.
What are good vegetarian filling options?
To keep it vegetarian, just omit the bacon or ham and add extras like sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or even finely chopped spinach for extra flavor.
Can I bake these instead of frying?
Absolutely! Baking at 400°F for about 20 minutes or using an air fryer with a light spray of oil will give you that crisp texture with less oil and mess.
How do I prevent the mashed potato balls from falling apart?
Using cold, firm mashed potatoes helps tremendously. Also, make sure to seal the balls tightly around the filling and coat evenly with egg and breadcrumbs to create a sturdy crust.
Final Thoughts
This Mashed Potato Bombs Recipe is truly a crowd-pleaser that brings together the best of comfort food with a fun and crispy twist. Whether you’re feeding family, throwing a party, or just craving a warm, cheesy snack, these bombs are an absolute must-try. Give them a go, and watch how quickly they disappear—your new favorite snack has arrived!
Print
Mashed Potato Bombs Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 bombs
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Mashed Potato Bombs are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and stuffed with gooey cheese and savory fillings—making them an irresistible snack, appetizer, or side dish that’s perfect for gatherings or comfort food cravings.
Ingredients
Mashed Potato Bombs
- 2 cups mashed potatoes (cold, firm)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup cooked bacon bits or ham (optional)
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- Oil for frying (or spray for baking/air frying)
Instructions
- Prepare the mashed potato balls: Scoop cold mashed potatoes and flatten each scoop slightly to form a disc shape that will be easy to fill and seal.
- Add the filling: Place a spoonful of shredded cheddar cheese and optional bacon bits or ham in the center of each mashed potato disc.
- Form the bombs: Carefully fold and seal the edges around the filling, then roll the mashed potato into a smooth ball to encase the cheese and meat completely.
- Coat the bombs: Dip each ball into the beaten egg to moisten the surface, then thoroughly coat it in breadcrumbs to ensure a crisp outer crust when cooked.
- Cook the bombs: For frying, heat oil to 350°F and fry the bombs until they turn golden brown and crispy. Alternatively, for baking, preheat the oven to 400°F and bake the bombs on a greased or lined tray for about 20 minutes, or until golden and heated through.
Notes
- Use cold, firm mashed potatoes to help the bombs hold their shape during cooking.
- Feel free to add herbs like chives or parsley, or spicy jalapeños to the filling for extra flavor.
- These bombs can be fried or baked depending on your preference for a lighter or more indulgent snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer / Side
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
