These crispy Fried Mashed Potato Balls with ranch dip are a great way to use up leftover potatoes. Flavored with bacon and cheese plus some green onion and served with a Ranch-flavored sour cream dip.

Fried Mashed Potato Balls

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow! I am feeling pretty well prepped. I am a little bit worried about the turkey though. We have fried our turkey for probably the last 7 years or so, but I decided I wanted to roast it this year. But it’s been so long since I’ve roasted a turkey, I don’t even remember how I did it.

Fried Mashed Potato Balls - great for using up Thanksgiving leftovers!

But as long as the dressing and the desserts come out well, no one will complain.

Fried Mashed Potato Balls with ranch dip. Great for using Thanksgiving leftovers.

And honestly, everyone is going to be happy to have a home-cooked meal this year even if the turkey is dry. Last year our Thanksgiving was spent at the hospital with our son who was just starting chemotherapy for testicular cancer. A family of a former patient donated a Boston Market meal for everyone on the children’s floor of the hospital and we felt very fortunate to have that meal and all be together as a family.

And this year we have so much to be thankful for. Chase has been cancer free for close to 9 months. My son and daughter are closer than they ever have been. I can’t even remember the last time I heard them bicker. After months of being terrified at looking into the future, it doesn’t seem quite as scary as it did. Things for the most part have returned to normal. But a new kind of normal.

We have learned so many positive life lessons going through such a terrible family crisis that we will carry with us for the rest of our days. There are no guarantees in life and each passing second should be cherished.

Fried Mashed Potato Balls with ranch dip. Great for using up Thanksgiving leftovers.

So on Thanksgiving, give your loved ones an extra hug, remember to be patient with that certain relative, and if you have any leftover mashed potatoes, make a batch of these fried mashed potato balls!

Happy Thanksgiving y’all!

Fried Mashed Potato Balls with ranch dip. Great for using up Thanksgiving leftovers.

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Fried Mashed Potato Balls

5 from 2 votes

By Christin Mahrlig

Prep: 55 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Total: 1 hour 7 minutes
Servings: 7
These crispy Fried Mashed Potato Balls with ranch dip are a great way to use up leftover potatoes. Flavored with bacon and cheese plus some green onion.
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Ingredients

  • 1 (24-ounce) container refrigerated mashed potatoes or 3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
  • 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onion
  • 4 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 1-2 teaspoons finely minced jalapeno,, optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon Season All
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 cups Panko crumbs, or bread crumbs
  • Vegetable oil
  • 1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dry ranch dressing mix, from a 1-ounce package

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl mix together (cold) mashed potatoes, cheese, green onions, bacon, jalapeno, Season All, and pepper.
  • Shape into about 22 balls that are approximately 1-inch across. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk eggs and water together.
  • Place panko crumbs inn a pie plate.
  • Pour 2 inches oil into a Dutch oven and heat to 375 degrees.
  • Dip potato balls in egg mixture then roll in Panko crumbs.
  • Fry 5 to 6 balls at a time, cooking until golden brown on all sides, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Drain on paper towels or a wire rack.
  • Mix together sour cream, milk, and ranch mix in a small bowl.
  • Serve fried potato balls warm.

Notes

Makes about 22 mashed potato balls.

Nutrition

Calories: 309kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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8 Comments

  1. Sandra says:

    gonna try the potato Balls for a party YUM
    \

  2. Jodi says:

    Could you freeze these either before or after frying?

  3. Mady says:

    Oh my gosh! I didn’t think mashed potatoes could get any better!

  4. Trucos y videojuegos says:

    ๏ปฟ Me gusta el videogame a pesar de eso pudierse ser moderadamente muchos mas prolongado

  5. CJ Stewart says:

    I LOVE recipes like this that present such tasty alternatives for leftovers. I am actually going to make these from NO leftovers! This is the BEST idea!

  6. Matt says:

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    1. Christin Mahrlig says:

      Thank you. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving Matt!

  7. Stephie says:

    Happy Thanksgiving to you, too! And these look so good. We don’t really how blessed we really are until something shakes our world. We’re feeling pretty blessed, too, this year. Give your family an extra hug and enjoy your day.