Cheesy mashed potato muffins are a delicious way to turn simple mashed potatoes into a warm, golden, and satisfying snack or side dish.
They are crisp around the edges, soft and fluffy in the center, and filled with melted cheese, herbs, and savory flavor. They are also an excellent way to use leftover mashed potatoes without serving the same dish twice.
These muffins work well for breakfast, brunch, lunchboxes, family dinners, parties, or meal preparation. They are easy to customize and can be made in either a standard muffin pan or a mini muffin pan.
Ingredients
- 3 cups chilled mashed potatoes
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh chives
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder, optional
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Cooking spray or butter for greasing the pan
Why Chilled Mashed Potatoes Work Best
Cold mashed potatoes are firmer and easier to shape than freshly prepared warm potatoes.
They also absorb the egg and flour more evenly, helping the muffins hold their shape during baking.
If you are making mashed potatoes specifically for this recipe, allow them to cool completely before mixing the batter.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 400°F, or 200°C.
Grease a mini muffin pan generously with cooking spray or butter. Make sure the bottoms and sides of each cavity are well coated to prevent sticking.
A standard muffin pan can also be used, but the baking time will be slightly longer.
Step 2: Prepare the Potato Mixture
Place the chilled mashed potatoes in a large mixing bowl.
Add the eggs, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped chives, flour, garlic powder, onion powder if using, salt, and black pepper.
Mix until all the ingredients are evenly combined.
The mixture should be thick enough to hold its shape. If it feels very soft or sticky, add another tablespoon of flour.
Step 3: Add the Parmesan Coating
Place the grated Parmesan cheese in a shallow bowl.
Scoop approximately one tablespoon of the potato mixture and roll it gently into a ball.
Roll each ball in the Parmesan cheese until lightly coated.
The Parmesan helps create a flavorful, crisp exterior as the muffins bake.
Step 4: Fill the Muffin Pan
Place each coated potato ball into one cavity of the prepared muffin pan.
Press down gently so the mixture fills the cavity and forms a rounded top.
Do not pack the mixture too firmly, as a lighter touch helps the centers stay soft and fluffy.
The crisp Parmesan shell is only half the secret—the eggs and cheese inside create the soft, savory center that makes these muffins so satisfying.
