Get ready to meet your new favorite snack: Potato Pops! Crispy on the outside, fluffy in the center, and made with simple ingredients, these little bites bring big potato joy in every pop. They’re the ultimate comfort food you can whip up with leftover mashed potatoes and just a few pantry staples.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy & Satisfying: Each Potato Pop delivers that irresistible crunch before giving way to creamy, pillowy potato goodness.
- Ridiculously Easy: You only need mashed potatoes, cornstarch, and a touch of oil—no deep frying or complicated steps required.
- Perfect for Leftovers: Transform last night’s mashed potatoes into an entirely new crave-worthy treat in under 30 minutes.
- Customizable for Any Occasion: Add your favorite seasonings or crunchy coatings, and dip away—these Potato Pops are endlessly adaptable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be delighted by how short—and how flexible—this ingredient list is! Each component has a starring role, creating Potato Pops that are crisp, tender, and loaded with flavor, beautifully highlighting the simple magic of potatoes.
- Mashed Potatoes (2 cups): Whether you’re using leftovers or mashing them fresh, potatoes form the heart and soul of these irresistible bites.
- Cornstarch or Arrowroot Powder (5 tbsp): This miracle binder gives structure so your Potato Pops hold together and crisp up beautifully in the air fryer or oven.
- Cooking Spray: Just a light mist helps achieve that golden crust without deep-frying. Use olive oil spray for extra flavor if you like!
Variations
One of the best things about Potato Pops is how easy they are to tailor to your mood or what’s on hand in your kitchen. Play with flavors, texture, and even dietary tweaks—these pops were meant for experimentation!
- Herb-Loaded: Mix in freshly chopped parsley, chives, or dill with your mashed potatoes for a pop of green and aromatic flavor.
- Cheesy Potato Pops: Fold in a handful of shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or Parmesan for gooey, melty centers.
- Spice It Up: Add smoked paprika, garlic powder, curry powder, or even a pinch of cayenne to the mash for your own signature twist.
- Crunch Factor: Roll the formed pops in panko breadcrumbs, cornmeal, or even sesame seeds before spraying with oil and air frying for mega crunch.
- Gluten-Free Swap: Use arrowroot powder or potato flour if you need to avoid cornstarch or gluten.
How to Make Potato Pops
Step 1: Mix the Dough
Start by combining your mashed potatoes with cornstarch (or arrowroot powder) in a large bowl. Use a spoon or your hands to mix until the dough is smooth, thick, and easy to shape—think along the lines of gnocchi dough that feels sturdy but soft. If it’s sticky, add a little extra starch; if it’s dry, a splash of milk or water works wonders.
Step 2: Shape the Potato Pops
Once you’ve got your dough, it’s playtime! Take about a tablespoon of dough and roll it between your palms to create balls just smaller than a golf ball. For a uniform look, use a small cookie scoop. Place the formed Potato Pops onto a parchment-lined tray as you go.
Step 3: Air Fry or Bake
Line your air fryer basket, or a baking sheet if using the oven, and arrange the Potato Pops so they aren’t touching. Spray them liberally with cooking spray—this step is what creates that addictive, golden crispiness! Air fry at 450°F for 15–20 minutes (or bake at 450°F), turning once halfway, until they’re deeply golden and invitingly crisp on the outside.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy!
Remove the Potato Pops from the air fryer or oven, and let them cool slightly before diving in. Serve hot with your favorite dips, and watch them disappear in a flash—they’re positively addictive when fresh!
Pro Tips for Making Potato Pops
- Texture Matters: Use smooth, lump-free mashed potatoes for pops that are tender inside—if your mash is chunky, blend it briefly before mixing.
- Crispy Coating Hack: For a shatteringly crisp finish, roll each pop in a little cornmeal or panko before spraying with oil.
- Seasoning Boost: Don’t hold back with your favorite seasonings or mix-ins—garlic powder, smoked paprika, or fresh herbs really shine here.
- Batch Prep: Double the ingredients and freeze unbaked Potato Pops for future snack emergencies—just bake straight from frozen for a few extra minutes!
How to Serve Potato Pops
Garnishes
Give your Potato Pops a pro touch by showering them with fresh chopped herbs—think parsley, chives, or cilantro—or a dusting of smoked paprika or parmesan right as they come out of the oven. A squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt adds even more sparkle and flavor contrast.
Side Dishes
These pops play perfectly alongside a crisp green salad, roasted veggies, or even a hearty soup. If you’re planning a party platter, pair Potato Pops with a trio of dips: classic ketchup, creamy aioli, and tangy green goddess sauce—each bite is a little adventure.
Creative Ways to Present
Thread Potato Pops onto skewers for a fun appetizer, arrange in paper cones for a street food vibe, or build a “potato pop tower” for maximum wow factor at your next gathering. You can even serve mini versions on top of a salad for extra crunch and flair!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Got leftovers (a rare occasion, trust me)? Let the Potato Pops cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. They’ll keep their texture best if you line the container with a paper towel to absorb any extra moisture.
Freezing
To freeze, arrange uncooked Potato Pops on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag or container. Bake or air fry them straight from frozen—just tack on a few extra minutes of cooking time. Cooked Potato Pops also freeze well, though reheating from frozen may make them less crisp.
Reheating
For optimum crispiness, reheat Potato Pops in the air fryer or hot oven (400°F) for about 5–7 minutes. Skip the microwave if you can—though it works in a pinch, you’ll miss out on that irresistible crunch!
FAQs
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Can I use instant mashed potatoes for Potato Pops?
Yes, instant mashed potatoes will work, but for best flavor and texture, make them a bit thicker than usual by adding less liquid. Bonus points for seasoning them up before forming your pops!
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What if I don’t have cornstarch or arrowroot powder?
No worries! All-purpose flour is a great stand-in for binding the mixture, though the pops might be a touch less crisp. Potato flour and rice flour can also be used in a pinch.
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Can I fry Potato Pops instead of air frying or baking?
Absolutely! Shallow-fry the pops in hot oil until golden brown, turning occasionally. They’ll come out extra crispy and decadent—just drain on paper towels before serving.
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How do I get the pops perfectly round?
For round, uniform Potato Pops, use a small cookie scoop or measure equal portions with a spoon before rolling gently in your palms. Chilling the shaped balls for 10 minutes prior to cooking can help them keep their shape, too!
Final Thoughts
If you love crispy, snackable comfort food, you absolutely owe it to yourself to try Potato Pops. They’re fun to make, impossible to stop eating, and perfect for sharing with friends and family—so grab your spuds and get popping!
Print
Potato Pops Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 20 potato pops 1x
- Category: Appetizer/Side Dish
- Method: Air Fry/Bake
- Cuisine: Any
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These crispy and flavorful Potato Pops are a delightful snack or side dish made from mashed potatoes. Easy to make and air-fried to perfection, they are a delicious way to enjoy leftover mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Mashed Potatoes:
- 2 cups mashed potatoes, leftover or fresh
Cornstarch Mixture:
- 5 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder
Cooking Spray:
- As needed
Instructions
- Prepare Potato Mixture: Add the mashed potatoes to a bowl with the cornstarch. Mix until a dough forms, adjusting with more cornstarch if needed.
- Shape Potato Pops: Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized balls.
- Air-Fry: Place the potato balls in an air fryer, spray with oil, and air-fry at 450F for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve: Enjoy your crispy Potato Pops immediately.
Notes
- Pair with ketchup, aioli, or vegan green goddess sauce.
- If short on cornstarch, substitute with a small amount of flour.
- Enhance flavor by rolling in seeds, cornmeal, or breadcrumbs before cooking.
- Season mashed potatoes before forming into balls for added taste.
- To bake, preheat oven and cook on a lined sheet for about 15-20 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 potato pop
- Calories: 73
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 0.2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
