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potato cheese balls with jalapeno and ranch on top
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5 from 44 votes

Crunchy, Creamy Potato Cheese Balls

These crunchy and creamy potato cheese balls are a delicious treat, perfect for entertaining guests or freezing for later!
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizers, Side Dish, Snacks
Cuisine: American
Servings: 15 servings
Calories: 231kcal
Author: Nena Sterner

Ingredients

For Potato Balls

  • 6 yellow potatoes
  • ¾ cup potato starch
  • ½ cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup asadero cheese
  • ½ cup panko bread crumbs

For Filling

  • 2 fresh jalapeños
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup asadero cheese

For Coating

  • 2 medium eggs
  • cups panko bread crumbs
  • oil (as needed for frying)

Instructions

  • Peel the potatoes then cut them into fourths and rinse them in cold water to remove excess starch. Boil them in a large pot for 10 minutes or until tender, then mash until smooth. 
  • Add potato starch, flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, ½ cup Panko, and ½ cup of Asadero cheese to a bowl. Mix until combined.
  • Combine the cheese mixture with the mashed potatoes and mix until the consistency is similar to dough. In a separate bowl, combine jalapeños, mozzarella, and remaining Asadero cheese and mix thoroughly.
  • Take a handful of the potato mixture and flatten it into a thin patty that's roughly 4" wide. Put a spoonful of the cheese mix in the center, then fold the edges closed. Use your palms to roll it into a ball, and make sure there's a good seal to prevent cheese from oozing out while cooking. Repeat this process until you've used up all the potato dough (this recipe yields roughly 15 potato cheese balls).
  • Whisk two eggs in a bowl, and pour the Panko into another. Coat the balls in egg, then roll them in the Panko breadcrumbs until they're completely covered. 

Frying Instructions

  • Fill a small pan halfway with oil and heat to 350-375° F. Fry the bottom half of each ball over medium-high heat for about 30 seconds or until golden brown. Flip them over and fry for another 30 seconds. When they're evenly cooked, take them out and let the excess oil drain on a paper towel. 
  • Drizzle with ranch or your favorite sauce. Sprinkle a little dried parsley to garnish and enjoy!

Notes

  • I like to use a food processor to speed up the potato mashing process and ensure a smooth and uniform consistency.
  • If the dough is too sticky you can add a little more flour until it becomes workable. I also like to coat my hands in flour to make the rolling process easier.
  • I love all the cheeses, and I encourage you to experiment with adding all your favorites. One thing to note, however, is that you should stick with cheeses that melt easily and avoid non-melters like feta, goat cheese, cotija, etc. because these can separate or curdle.
  • If you prefer, you can use small cubes of cheese rather than shredded cheese.
  • For deep frying, I recommend using corn oil, peanut oil, or vegetable oil.
  • You really only need to cook these for about 60 seconds each. They can overcook very quickly, so keep a close eye on them!
  • Because this recipe yields 15 potato cheese balls, I like to freeze some of them to enjoy later. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1ball | Calories: 231kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 341mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g