These are delicious, crunchy, and full of flavor. Loaded mashed potato balls are an easy appetizer to make, not to mention they use up your left overs. You can be as creative as you wish by adding other ingredients to bedazzle up the taste to your liking.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes depending
Serves: makes 55 potato balls using a 1 ½ inch baller

Ingredients:
4 cups leftover mashed potatoes, boxed dehydrated potatoes will work also.
4 T. of flour more if needed
1 C. cup of shredded cheddar cheese
4 strips bacon, cooked, cooled and finely diced
1/3 cup onions, finely diced
1 T. garlic powder
4 eggs
2 C. Panko crumbs
2 T. Italian seasoning
Oil for frying
Salt and Pepper
Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, ranch, BBQ, or Honey Mustard etc.

What to do:
Make sure your potatoes are at room temperature. Once at room temperature add your flour, mix well. Take some of your potato mixture and make a small ball. If it doesn’t hold its shape, add a little more flour to make the potatoes sturdy. Add your cheese, bacon, onion, garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste, combine well.
Whisk eggs into a small bowl and season with salt and pepper, set aside. Place panko crumbs and Italian seasoning in an additional bowl, mix. Using a 1 ½ inch scoop make your balls of potatoes. Dip each ball in the eggs and then roll in panko crumbs until fully coated. Set aside on a sheet pan.

Deep fried method:
Heat oil in a medium sauce pan or use your deep fryer and heat to about 350-375 degrees. Once your oil is heated add some of your potato balls, making sure not to over crowd or they won’t crisp up correctly. It should take about 1-2 minutes to brown and cook through. Remove from oil and place on paper lined plate to allow excess oil to drain off, salt if you desire. Serve while warm with your favorite dipping sauce

Oven method: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line your cookie sheet with foil or treat with cooking spray. You can also use a cooking rack inside your cookie sheet. Place potato balls on cookie sheet spacing 1 inch apart. Bake for 10 -15 minutes or until the potato balls are cooked through and golden brown, salt if you desire. Depending on your oven the cook time my very. Serve while warm with your favorite dipping sauce.