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Potato Puffs

- MAKES
- 24 large or 72 small
- COOK TIME
- 1 Hr 5 Min
Win over party guests or even your family with these homemade, melt-in-your-mouth Potato Puffs. The warm, golden crust contrasts with the creamy potato filling to ensure that you'll never want store-bought again!
What You'll Need
- 3 pounds Idaho Russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup cracker crumbs
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 egg yolks, beaten
What to Do
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Place potatoes in a soup pot and add just enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil over high heat then reduce heat to medium and cook 12 to 15 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain off water, mash the potatoes, and allow to cool.
- In a small saucepan, saute onion in olive oil over medium heat until tender. Add sauteed onion, the cracker crumbs, salt, and pepper to mashed potatoes; mash mixture.
- With your hands, roll mixture into balls and place potato balls on prepared baking sheet. Brush with egg yolk and bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until golden and crusty.
Notes
- Don't forget to check out our free eCookbook, Our Best Appetizer Recipes: 32 Easy Party Appetizers for Any Occasion.
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If you think these Potato Puffs are good, wait till you try our Drop Kick Idaho Potato Dip or the Cheddar Potato Latkes!
dluat 9355484
Oct 12, 2018
These are a simple and tasty appetizer. Do you have any suggestions on what dip or type of toppings would compliment this little ball of flavor?
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Test Kitchen Team
Oct 15, 2018
The options are endless! You can try a Ranch flavored dip, mustard, or even a bacon cheddar cheese dip! Choose your favorite and enjoy!
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toniretman 5006408
Dec 26, 2015
enjoyed them. Next time I'll try the bread crumbs instead.
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ebcroz 0152184
Aug 11, 2015
I've been making a similar puff for years - variation......to the seasoned mashed potatoes (butter, salt pepper) add parmesan cheese and parsley, after forming the puffs dip in buttered Italian bread crumbs and bake.
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Moopsee
Mar 22, 2016
That is how we also make it -- they get nice and crispy on the outside. We use some sour cream to help get a good mash on the potatoes.
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Mokitta
Jul 12, 2015
I've made them today for the first time. Added a dash of milk while mashing the potatoes and replaced crackers with bread crumbs. Everybody enjoyed them. Next time I'll try adding bacon. Great recipe, thank you.
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thoshill 9992063
Dec 10, 2014
How large is that ball that you are rolling with your hands, golf ball size ,smaller or larger
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Test Kitchen Team
Dec 11, 2014
Hello! The size of the ball depends on how many you'd like to make. If you're making this as an appetizer (72 servings), then each ball should be about 1-inch. Enjoy!
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debbied5678 7977688
Sep 14, 2014
I am wondering if the whites from the eggs were put in the potatoes they might puff more and have a better consistency.
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Test Kitchen Team
Sep 15, 2014
Hi Debbie! We haven't tested putting the egg whites in, so we're not sure whether this would make them puff more. However, we don't think it would hurt the recipe. We've made the recipe as-is and have had no problem with the consistency or puff, so we're not sure what may have gone wrong for you. Please let us know if you try these again and how they turn out!
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Zoumonkie
Jan 23, 2015
The egg whites are brushed on the outside.
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amy
Aug 10, 2014
What is the size of the puffs illustrated in the picture, are those they for the smaller one-72 servings? If I am going to prepare them the day before serving,should I freeze them or just refrigerate overnight?
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Test Kitchen Team
Aug 11, 2014
Hi there! The puffs in the photo are the smaller kind (72 servings), and should only be refrigerated overnight.
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f46redtx 3917499
Aug 05, 2014
Add a pound of cooked ground venison sausage, delicious!
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triplewood 7213633
Aug 05, 2014
how many cups of mashed potatoes does 3 lbs make?
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Test Kitchen Team
Aug 06, 2014
How many cups of mashed potatoes 3lbs of potatoes will produce may vary. We do not recommend substituting store-bought mashed potatoes for fresh potatoes. Store bought potatoes contain milk and butter, which will cause your Potato Puffs to be loose.
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beav1
Feb 04, 2014
I wanted to make these but didn't have potatoes only instant. Can they be made w/ instant potatoes? If so what serving size?
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Test Kitchen Team
Feb 04, 2014
The Test Kitchen has not tried with instant potatoes so we're not sure it will work due to the different consistency of the potatoes.
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Firewalker2910
Dec 31, 2013
Looks good, Sounds good now if i can get my wife to make it yummie for my tummy just bad for my Dibeties.
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tejauchan 0262411
Sep 03, 2013
I oh sooooo love the potato puffs they taste awesome...Thanks so very much for this recipe MR Foods.
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hoodle00 0334819
Sep 01, 2013
How many is 3 pounds?
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noah11 7976731
Aug 05, 2014
On the chance that you are not kidding with this question, it would depend on the size of the potatoes. You would, of course, have to weigh them out until you reached the 3 lb. mark.
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hoodle00 0334819
Sep 01, 2013
How many is 3 pounds?
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avett
Aug 05, 2014
Are you serious?? It depends on the size of the potato. It will take more small potatoes to make 3 lbs. than large potatoes.
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LuvsFood
Mar 05, 2013
Made these twice now & I still find them a little bland. I guess I'll have to spice it up even more. I made the large size but I think next time I will try the small ones. I love the texture. My family said they were okay. Very good base recipe.
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LuvsFood
Mar 05, 2013
What do you think? Made these twice now & I still find them a little bland. I guess I'll have to spice it up even more. I made the large size but I think next time I will try the small ones. Very good base recipe.
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gcrblackjack 0391942
Nov 13, 2012
Sounds good, but it's only half the recipe! This is the recipe for the "puffs", but where's the recipe for the "creamy potato filling", and how do you put the filling inside the puffs without breaking them?
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haleydiane 7323617
May 06, 2013
The "creamy potato filling" is just the inside of the potato puff. Baking the potato balls in the oven makes the outsides crispy and the inside retains the creamy, buttery mashed-potato texture.
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whoose
Jan 04, 2012
I would also like to know if these can be made ahead of time or even frozen possibly.
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jbrougham5 3159198
Jan 23, 2012
i was wondering the same thing. i've frozen mashed potatoes and they were fine,,,so now i've made the rounds of potatoes using ritz crackers only because that's what i had,,, and i just diced up the greens on scallions and added it to the mixture. Rolled up easily. Now, I think i'm going to freeze them individually and then put them in a freezer bag. Hope it works out. Better to find out ahead of time rather than when planning on serving it with company, lol.
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blcarter35 6822488
Dec 03, 2011
Can I make there ahead of time, and how far ahead???
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alexandriamont 8163537
Nov 15, 2011
i added bacon and cheese to mine and they were delicious, also i didnt have any saltine crackers so i used some wheat thins
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valnicky78 3187131
Nov 14, 2011
Saute some green onions and leeks and add crispy bacon and youve got a simple but really tasty filling for these potato puffs!
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BeaderOne
Nov 11, 2011
Estelle yes you should use saltines, if it was a different cracker it would say what to use. Joieminer, Use the Olive oil, this will replace the butter that is not called for. frying food with olive oil is a healthy alternative to other oils, i use it a lot afterfinding out it is heart healthy.
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LuvsFood
Nov 10, 2011
I would also like to know what kind of crackers to use. Has anyone tried experimenting with any different kinds of crackers? I am making these now and any advice would be helpful. Thank you
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pjnana 9091685
Nov 09, 2011
If you don't have crackers, can you use something else?
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Effey
Nov 09, 2011
what type of cracker crumbs do you use ? ( saltines, ritz , or club )
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joieminier 7790148
Nov 09, 2011
hello everybody, i was wondering when they say to put olive oil in a frying pan could u just use pam and spray the pan ? i know olive oil has a certain taste to it which is awesome but i don't like using oil to cook w/i stopped using oil to cook a long time ago.
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Member 14885
Jan 01, 2011
yOU CAN ADD YOUR CHOICE OF CHEESE BITES TO THE CENTER OF THE POTATOE PUFF BEFORE BAKING AND HAVE A VARIETY OF POTATO PUFFS FOR YOUR GUEST.
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alavon2325 5799300
Dec 23, 2010
Hello: I just need to get a Potatoe Omelet. Could you please send me the recipie? I will appreciated. Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank You. Sincerely; Aida Alvarado
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