Mashed Potato Croquettes, made with mashed potatoes, ham, cheddar cheese and ranch seasoning, are the perfect way to give new life to Thanksgiving leftovers. They are crispy on the outside and smooth and creamy on the inside with so much awesome Ranch flavor.
I don’t know about you but we look forward to Thanksgiving leftovers almost as much as the Thanksgiving meal itself. When planning how much food to make for Thanksgiving, I always take into account that we will want it to last us a good 2 or 3 days.
Leftover Mashed Potatoes
What’s really fun is getting creative with how we serve the leftovers. Since mashed potatoes don’t always reheat well on their own, I like to transform them into these delicious potato croquettes. They are also a delicious way to use up leftover ham, especially when you just have a few bits and pieces of ham leftover.
This recipe works well with any leftover mashed potatoes. Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes, Mayonnaise Mashed Potatoes, Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes or even store-bought mashed potatoes work well.
How To Make
To make these Mashed Potato Croquettes I mixed some green onions, ham, cheddar cheese, an egg, and some Ranch seasoning into leftover mashed potatoes. I coated them in Panko crumbs and fried them until crispy in a pan with some oil. Then I mixed some more Ranch seasoning into sour cream for a flavorful finish. If you are a huge fan of Ranch like I am, you will love the taste of these Mashed Potato Croquettes!
Variations
This recipe is easily customizable.
- Add cooked and crumbled bacon instead of ham.
- Use chives instead of green onion.
- Add in half a cup of steamed and finely chopped broccoli.
- Use Parmesan cheese instead of cheddar cheese.
- Make it spicy. Add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper.
How To Serve
This recipe can be served either as a side dish or an appetizer. I like to top them with a little sour cream mixed with ranch seasoning and some green onion.
Storage
Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days and reheated in the oven or an ari fryer.
More Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
- Thanksgiving Wontons
- Thanksgiving Crescent Rolls
- Leftover Turkey Jambalaya
- Slow Cooker Cajun Turkey Soup
- Southwestern Turkey Rice Casserole
- Sausage and Sweet Potato Soup
What do you like to do with your Thanksgiving leftovers?
Mashed Potato Croquettes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
- 1 (1-ounce) packet Hidden Valley Dips Mix, Original Ranch, divided
- 1 egg, slightly beaten
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup finely diced ham
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Panko or bread crumbs
- 1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
- 4 tablespoons Vegetable oil, divided
Instructions
- Place mashed potatoes in a large bowl and stir in 1 tablespoon of Ranch mix. Add egg and mix in well.
- Add green onions, diced ham, and shredded cheddar, and stir to combine. Shape into golf ball-sized balls and flatten some. Coat each side in Panko crumbs and place on a baking sheet
- Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large pan. Place half of croquettes in pan and cook until golden brown on bottom. Flip over and cook until the second side is golden brown.
- Repeat with second batch, using remaining oil.
- Stir remaining ranch mix into sour cream and serve with croquettes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Glad & Hidden Valley Ranch. The opinions and text are all mine.
Originally posted November 18, 2015
You are rocking the mashed potatoes this week! These look fabulous.
I totally look forward to the thanksgiving leftovers more than the meal itself! I’m addicted to turkey on toast with mayo, sea salt and pepper. It’s time for me to step up my leftover game and I’d love to try an easy recipe like this. Pinned!
Croquettes are one of my favorite things ever and yet I never make them! Seeing these definitely makes me want to change that!
Is there anything better than potatoes and cheese?!
I don’t think so 🙂
Yes, taters with cheese and bacon! 🙂
I love these and that you used ham in them. My grandfather used to make something similar to these for breakfast with fried eggs when I was a kid!
With fried eggs for breakfast sounds amazing Amy!
What a snazzy and classy looking recipe for the holidays! These sound great. I think these would be a wonderful alternative to mashed potatoes.
Agreed! We definitely look forward to the leftovers as well! This is such a great idea for the mashed potatoes!!
I doubt we will have leftover mashed potatoes but if we do, these croquettes are defiantly getting made.
No doubt I would love these!
Now this is a way to make mashed potatoes! My Grandma used to do something similar with leftover potatoes and it tasted SO good! I will have to try this out!