Golden Crispy Mashed Potato Cups Recipe: A Fun Twist!

Potato lovers find pure joy in these crispy mashed potato cups that elevate comfort food to a whole new level.

Creamy potatoes nestled in a golden, crunchy exterior create an irresistible side dish.

Each bite promises a delightful contrast of textures that will make your taste buds dance.

The simple yet ingenious technique turns classic mashed potatoes into a crowd-pleasing appetizer or accompaniment.

Baked until perfectly golden and crisp, these cups deliver a stunning presentation that looks much more complicated than the straightforward preparation.

These morsels are perfect for weekend gatherings, potlucks, or when you want to add a touch of elegance to your meal.

Serve these delectable potato cups and watch as your guests marvel at your culinary creativity.

How to Shape and Bake Potato Cups

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 375F and give your muffin tin a quick spray or butter massage to prevent sticking.

• Mix Magic

Toss mashed potatoes, sour cream, cheeses, bacon, egg, and seasonings into a bowl. Stir everything until it looks like a creamy, dreamy potato party.

• Create Crispy Bottoms

Blend panko crumbs, Parmesan, and melted butter in a separate bowl. Sprinkle this mixture into each muffin cup and press down firmly to create a crunchy foundation.

• Build Your Potato Towers

Scoop the potato mixture generously into each cup, piling it high. If you’re feeling extra, sprinkle some bonus cheese or bacon on top.

• Bake to Perfection

Send your potato cups into the oven for 20-25 minutes until they turn golden and develop deliciously crispy edges.

• Serve with Flair

Let the cups rest for 5 minutes, then carefully nudge them out of the tin. Top with green onions, extra cheese, or a dollop of sour cream for a stunning finish.

Tasty Additions to Mashed Potato Cups

• Use cold, leftover mashed potatoes for a firmer texture that holds shape better in the cups. Warm potatoes will be too soft and runny.
• Press the panko mixture firmly into the muffin tin for a crunchy, golden bottom that provides amazing textural contrast to the creamy potatoes.
• Prepare the potato mixture and fill muffin tins a day ahead, then refrigerate. Bake just before serving for stress-free entertaining.
• For gluten-free version, replace panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs. Vegetarian option works by omitting bacon and adding diced mushrooms or spinach.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like smoked gouda, blue cheese, or herbs like rosemary and thyme to create unique potato cup variations.

Serving Mashed Potato Cups for Brunch or Bites

• Brunch Sensation: Serve these potato cups alongside scrambled eggs and crispy bacon for a hearty morning feast.
• Appetizer Delight: Present as a crowd-pleasing finger food during game day parties or holiday gatherings with a small dipping sauce.
• Side Dish Showcase: Pair with grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or a fresh garden salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Picnic Perfect: Pack these portable potato cups in a cooler for outdoor events, ensuring a delicious and convenient snack that travels well.

Keep Mashed Potato Cups Tasty the Next Day

• Store leftover mashed potato cups in an airtight container within the refrigerator. These delightful bites remain fresh for 3-4 days when sealed properly, maintaining their delicious texture and flavor.
• Restore crispy edges by warming potato cups in a preheated oven at 350F for 10-12 minutes. Avoid microwave heating to prevent soggy crusts and ensure maximum crunchiness.
• Individually wrap cooled potato cups in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 1 month for convenient make-ahead meals. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Consider preparing these potato cups in smaller batches or using a mini muffin tin for bite-sized appetizers. This approach helps manage serving sizes and creates versatile party snacks that can be easily stored and enjoyed later.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 12

Mashed Potato Cups: What Goes In

• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy foundation that provides smooth, comforting texture; choose starchy varieties like Russet for best results.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy richness and helps create a velvety potato mixture; look for full-fat versions for maximum flavor.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and ensures structural integrity of potato cups; fresh, room temperature eggs work best.

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, melty component that adds bold cheese flavor; opt for aged varieties for deeper taste.
• Parmesan Cheese: Introduces nutty, salty notes; freshly grated gives more intense flavor than pre-packaged.
• Bacon: Provides smoky, crispy element; cook until extra crisp for maximum crunchiness.
• Green Onions: Delivers fresh, mild onion bite; choose bright green stalks with firm white ends.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Concentrated seasonings that boost overall savory profile; ensure they're fresh and fragrant.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning that balances and elevates all other ingredients.

• Panko Bread Crumbs: Creates golden, crunchy crust; Japanese-style crumbs provide superior crispiness.
• Melted Butter: Helps bread crumbs adhere and adds rich, buttery flavor to coating.

Kitchen Tools to Make Potato Cups Easy

• Muffin Tin: 12-cup standard size, essential for creating perfect potato cup shapes.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Two needed for combining potato mixture and bread crumb crust.
• Measuring Spoons: Crucial for accurate seasoning and ingredient proportions.
• Cheese Grater: Helpful for freshly grating Parmesan and cheddar cheeses.
• Knife: Used for cutting green onions and loosening potato cups after baking.
• Spoon: Perfect for mixing ingredients and filling muffin tin evenly.

Crispy Mashed Potato Cups Recipe

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• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Savory mashed potato cups bring comfort and elegance to classic side dishes, offering a delightful twist on traditional potato preparation. Crispy edges and creamy centers make these individual portions perfect for gatherings where you can impress guests with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (473 ml) mashed potatoes (leftover or freshly made)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (236 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup (118 ml) sour cream
• ½ cup (118 ml) cooked bacon, crumbled (optional)
• ¼ cup (59 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup (59 ml) green onions or chives, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp melted butter (for greasing)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Extra cheese
• Chopped green onions or chives
• A dollop of sour cream

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Instructions

1. Prepare Base: Create a crispy foundation by blending panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter. Press mixture firmly into each muffin cup, forming a golden crust.
2. Craft Potato Filling: Combine mashed potatoes with sour cream, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, crumbled bacon, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and green onions. Mix ingredients thoroughly until uniform in consistency.
3. Assemble Potato Cups: Layer the creamy potato mixture atop the prepared bread crumb base, filling each muffin cup generously. Optional: Sprinkle additional cheese and bacon on top for extra flavor complexity.
4. Bake to Perfection: Transfer muffin tin to a preheated 375F (190C) oven. Roast for 20-25 minutes until potato cups develop a golden, crispy exterior and edges turn delightfully crunchy.
5. Finish and Serve: Rest potato cups in the tin for 5 minutes to set. Carefully extract using a knife. Garnish with fresh green onions, extra cheese, or a dollop of sour cream for a luxurious touch.

Notes

• Ensure mashed potatoes are smooth and not too watery to help cups hold their shape during baking.
• Thoroughly grease muffin tin or use parchment paper liners for easy removal of potato cups.
• Don’t overmix ingredients; gently combine to maintain potato texture and prevent dense, heavy cups.
• Swap bacon for vegetarian bacon bits, use gluten-free breadcrumbs, or substitute low-fat cheese for healthier version.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg