Cheesy Potato Puffs

Mashed potatoes, cheese and bacon...what can be better?

I'm not sure there is anything better, at least not for a quick and easy side dish or appetizer.

This recipe that I'm sharing as the third from Gooseberry Patch's Christmas Kitchen cookbook (part of the Real Farmwives - and Friends - of America's in the Kitchen series) would be perfect for the leftover mashed potatoes from your big family Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners.

It's also another recipe with less than 5 ingredients...ONLY 3 ingredients. Score.

Start with mashed potatoes (4 oz. package of instant), prepared and cooled. Stir in a half cup of shredded cheese - I used Colby & Monterey Jack blend. Pour a half cup of bacon bits into a separate bowl.

I used my cookie scoop to measure and then roll out 1-1/2 inch balls of potatoes.

Then I rolled them in bacon bits. Yum, bacon!

Then I placed them on an ungreased cookie sheet (I covered mine in parchment paper because I HATE dishes) and bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes.

Before:

After:

Cheesy Potato Puffs
4-oz. pkg. instant mashed potatoes
1/2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 c. bacon bits

Prepare instant potatoes according to package directions; let cool. Stir in cheese; roll into 1-1/2 inch balls. Roll balls in bacon bits; arrange on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes . Serves 4.


Like I said above, I think this is a GREAT option for those leftover mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving or Christmas. HOWEVER, I tried it with leftover mashed potatoes right out of the fridge (cold) and they were a bit sticky to handle and spread out while baking. So, I'm going to try again and let the potatoes sit out for a few minutes before handling. Stay tuned...
Check out what my fellow Real Farmwives and Friends are cooking up over at www.realfarmwivesofamerica.com 

  
Special thanks to Gooseberry Patch for providing me with this great cookbook to try and share with you. If you would like to purchase this or other cookbooks, please visit their store. If you would like to see other great recipes, check out www.realfarmwivesofamerica.com.