Description
Mashed Potato Arancini are crispy, golden-fried balls made from leftover mashed potatoes blended with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, seasoned with garlic and pepper. They make a delicious Italian-inspired appetizer that’s perfect for snacking or serving with marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cold mashed potatoes
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying (about 2 inches deep in skillet)
Instructions
- Prepare Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the cold mashed potatoes, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
- Form Balls: Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the potato mixture and roll it into a smooth ball using your hands. Repeat until all the mixture is used. Set aside the formed balls.
- Set Up Breading Station: Arrange three shallow bowls: one with all-purpose flour, one with a beaten egg, and one with Italian-style breadcrumbs. This will be used to coat the arancini before frying.
- Bread the Arancini: Roll each potato ball first in the flour, then dip into the beaten egg, and finally coat evenly with the breadcrumbs. Ensure each ball is well coated on all sides.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or pot to about 2 inches depth. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C), suitable for deep frying.
- Fry the Arancini: Carefully add the breaded potato balls to the hot oil in batches, avoiding overcrowding. Fry them, turning occasionally with a slotted spoon, until they turn golden brown and crispy on all sides, about 3 to 4 minutes per batch.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the fried arancini using a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve warm, optionally with marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes.
- For variations, stuff the center with a cube of mozzarella or a spoonful of cooked meat before breading.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
