Crispy Potato Bites

Featured in Food That Makes People Think You've Got Life Figured Out.

Turn basic instant potatoes into easy, cheesy bites! They're crispy on the outside, creamy in the middle, and paprika-buttery goodness on top.

Clare Recipes
Updated on Sat, 29 Mar 2025 10:51:54 GMT
A cooling rack holding crisp golden potato bites brushed with butter, garnished with herbs for presentation. Pin it
A cooling rack holding crisp golden potato bites brushed with butter, garnished with herbs for presentation. | lilicooks.com

I whipped up these irresistible Mashed Potato Bombs when looking for a fun twist on holiday leftovers. They've become such a hit that my family wants them all the time now! The outside turns wonderfully crunchy while maintaining a soft, cheesy center. They're basically tiny pockets of pure comfort that somehow taste even better than the original mashed potatoes.

Everything You Need For These Tasty Potato Treats

  • Instant Mashed Potatoes: 1 box that makes 6 servings. I wasn't sure about them at first but they actually work perfectly in this recipe.
  • Sour Cream: ¾ cup to add that lovely richness and creaminess.
  • Melted Butter: 2 tbsp for that wonderful golden finish.
  • Eggs: 1 whole egg plus 1 yolk which create that amazing texture you'll love.
  • Salt: Just a pinch to bring out all the flavors.
  • Black Pepper: 1 tsp fresh ground works best.
  • Paprika: 1 tsp adds that fantastic color and slightly smoky kick.
  • Sharp Cheddar Cheese: 1 cup freshly grated. Go for extra sharp to get the most flavor punch.

Let's Cook Up Some Delicious Bites

The Finish Line
Let them sit for a few minutes then carefully remove them and watch how fast they vanish!
Bake Away
Put them in a 350°F oven for 30 minutes then quickly broil until golden but keep an eye on them as they burn fast!
Butter Magic
Combine the melted butter with paprika and brush it over the tops.
Fill Those Tins
Coat your mini muffin tin with spray then pipe in your potato mixture using up and down motions to create beautiful texture.
Get Ready to Pipe
Take a plastic bag, fill it with your mixture and cut off one corner for an easy homemade piping bag!
Egg Time
Beat your egg and yolk together then gently mix them into your cooled potato mixture until everything looks well combined.
Mix It Up
Add the sharp cheddar, sour cream and pepper. Check the flavor and add salt if needed, then cool to room temperature.
Start With The Potatoes
Prepare the instant mashed potatoes using only water and butter. Let them cool a bit so you don't cook the eggs when mixing.

My Personal Tips and Tricks

  • Make Them Pretty: Don't rush the piping process – they'll look so much fancier when you take your time!
  • Save Some For Later: Store extras in the fridge and warm them up in the oven to get that crispy top again.
  • Flavor Boost: I sometimes add a bit of garlic powder or onion powder when I want to change things up.
A plate of golden-brown, crispy potato puffs garnished with parsley, served on a wooden table. Pin it
A plate of golden-brown, crispy potato puffs garnished with parsley, served on a wooden table. | lilicooks.com

What Makes These Potato Bombs Truly Memorable

Whenever I serve these at gatherings, they're always a total hit. There's something magical about how they puff up with that beautiful golden top while staying so creamy inside. I love watching people take their first bite and seeing their faces light up with surprise and joy. They've become such an important part of our family celebrations that it just wouldn't feel like a proper party without them!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why not use fresh potatoes?

Instant potatoes are super quick to prep and always smooth, which makes them ideal for shaping.

→ How far ahead can I prep these?

You can pipe them into tins a day in advance. Cover, chill them in the fridge, and bake fresh when you need them.

→ Why should the potatoes cool first?

If you skip cooling, the eggs might scramble, making the texture uneven and clumpy.

→ How do I stop them from sticking?

Grease your tins generously, hitting every corner. Let them cool before taking them out for clean removal.

→ Best way to reheat them?

Heat in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes to keep the crunch. Don’t microwave—they’ll lose their crispness.

Crispy Potato Bites

Golden, cheesy puffs made with sour cream, instant potatoes, and paprika butter. A fun, easy snack for gatherings or lazy nights.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
32 Minutes
Total Time
52 Minutes
By: Lily Chen

Category: Party & Snacks

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (24)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 1 teaspoon paprika.
02 1 whole egg and 1 extra yolk.
03 1 teaspoon black pepper.
04 1 pinch of salt.
05 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
06 1 cup of sharply flavored shredded cheddar.
07 3/4 cup sour cream.
08 1 box of instant mashed potato mix (makes 6 servings).

Instructions

Step 01

Follow the packet instructions for the instant potato mix. Use only butter and water. Let it cool off for a bit.

Step 02

Stir in the cheddar, sour cream, and pepper. Wait until it cools to room temperature, then season with salt as needed.

Step 03

Beat together the egg and yolk, then gently fold them into the cooled potato mix.

Step 04

Spoon the mixture into a piping bag or a plastic bag with the corner clipped off.

Step 05

Grease the mini muffin pan thoroughly before layering the potato mix inside using the bag.

Step 06

Combine paprika into the melted butter, then spread the mix over the tops.

Step 07

Put into the oven at 350°F for half an hour. Broil the tops for 2 minutes until they brown.

Step 08

Leave them to sit untouched for around 15 to 20 minutes before lifting them out.

Notes

  1. Let the potatoes chill first before adding the eggs.
  2. You can prep these early and finish baking later.
  3. Grease the pan generously to avoid sticking issues.
  4. Want more flavor? A sprinkle of garlic powder could help!
  5. Don’t use a microwave to reheat—use your oven instead.

Tools You'll Need

  • Muffin tin for small portions.
  • Bag for piping or a Ziploc bag with a trimmed corner.
  • Brush for pastry.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (sour cream, cheese).
  • Includes eggs.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 85
  • Total Fat: 5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 8 g
  • Protein: 3 g