🥔🧀 Loaded Potato Bites 🧀🥔

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These Loaded Potato Bites are the ultimate appetizer or snack! Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and packed with cheesy, bacon-y goodness, they’re perfect for parties, game days, or just treating yourself. Serve them with ranch or honey mustard for dipping, and watch them disappear in no time. Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients

For the Potato Bites:

  • 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes 🥔
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 🍚
  • 2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese 🧀
  • 3 strips bacon, cooked and diced 🥓
  • 1/3 cup scallions, chopped 🧅
  • 1 large egg 🥚
  • 1 ¼ – 1 ½ cups Italian bread crumbs 🍞
  • Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil works well) 🛢️
  • Salt and pepper, to taste 🧂

For Serving:

  • Ranch dressing or honey mustard, for dipping 🥄

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Potato Mixture

  1. Take the 2 cups of leftover mashed potatoes out of the fridge and let them sit for a few minutes to take the chill off.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes and 2 tablespoons of flour. Mix well until fully incorporated.
  3. Add the 2/3 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, diced bacon, and chopped scallions. Stir until evenly distributed.
  4. Take a heaping tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a small ball with your hands. If the mixture doesn’t hold its shape, add a little more flour to make it sturdier. Repeat until all the mixture is used.

Step 2: Coat the Potato Bites

  1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan or fryer to 350-375°F.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk the 1 large egg and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Place the 1 ¼ – 1 ½ cups of Italian bread crumbs in a separate bowl.
  4. Dip each potato ball into the egg, then roll it in the bread crumbs until fully coated. Place the coated balls on a sheet pan.

Step 3: Fry the Potato Bites

  1. Test the oil temperature by frying one potato ball. The oil should bubble, and the ball should take 1-2 minutes to brown and cook through. Adjust the heat if needed.
  2. Fry the potato balls in small batches for 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!

  1. Let the potato bites cool for a minute or two.
  2. Serve warm with ranch dressing or honey mustard for dipping.

Tips and Variations

  • Add More Flavor: Mix in a pinch of garlic powder, smoked paprika, or cayenne pepper to the potato mixture.
  • Bake Instead of Fry: For a healthier option, bake the potato bites at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  • Make Them Ahead: Prepare the potato balls and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before frying.
  • Swap the Cheese: Use pepper jack, mozzarella, or your favorite cheese instead of cheddar.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✅ Crispy, creamy, and packed with flavor
✅ Perfect for using up leftover mashed potatoes
✅ Great for parties, game days, or snacks
✅ Easy to customize with your favorite ingredients

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: Approximately 35 minutes

Servings: 4-6

These Loaded Potato Bites are a fun and delicious way to enjoy the flavors of loaded baked potatoes in bite-sized form. Whether you’re serving them at a party or enjoying them as a snack, they’re sure to be a hit. Enjoy! 🥔🧀😋

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