The Genius Muffin Pan Mashed Potato Trick We Wish We’d Known About Sooner
- Cheesy mashed potato cups are a crispy and cheesy side dish made from leftover mashed potatoes, perfect for any meal.
Let's talk about side dishes . Specifically, how completely out of ideas I feel sometimes. I've got the main dish handled, the dessert planned but when it comes to what goes on the side of that beautiful baked ham or roast chicken , I go blank. Another green bean casserole? More roasted carrots ? Yawn.
That's why these cheesy mashed potato cups, shared by Sine Siemkowicz ( @foodbites ), are exactly the side dish I needed.
They're golden, crispy, cheesy and just the right amount of fancy without being fussy. Plus, they're a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes (does that actually exist?), which is a win all on its own.
Related: The Easy, Cheesy Potato Casserole That Goes Viral Every Year
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How to Make Mashed Potato Cups
If you've got cold mashed potatoes in your fridge, this is your chance to give them new life. Think of these potato cups as a mash-up (pun very much intended) between cheesy mashed potatoes and crispy potato pancakes. They're soft and creamy inside with golden, cheesy tops and crispy edges.
All you do is mix your cold mashed potatoes with a little sour cream (for tang and creaminess), a whisked egg (for binding), some melted butter, shredded cheddar and chopped chives. Don't forget to season it all with sea salt and pepper— be generous!
Before you start scooping, grab your muffin tin and brush each cup with melted butter. Don't skimp here because this is what helps those edges get all golden and crispy.
Spoon (or scoop!) the mixture into the tin. An ice cream scoop keeps things neat and even, but a spoon works just fine. Don't worry about them looking perfect.
Once your muffin tin is filled, brush the tops with a little more melted butter and a sprinkle of sea salt for that irresistible savory finish. Then top each one with a generous handful of shredded cheddar. That cheese is going to melt and bubble and turn into a crispy, golden crown on each muffin.
Want a little extra flair? Try mixing in cooked, crumbled bacon or even finely chopped cooked broccoli. This recipe is totally customizable.
Pop the whole tray into a preheated 350°F oven and let them bake for about 30 minutes. You're looking for golden tops, bubbling cheese and a little pull on the edges where they've started to brown and crisp. When you take them out, let them cool just a bit in the pan. This helps them firm up so they don't fall apart when you take them out.
To remove, gently run a knife around the edge of each muffin and lift them out with a fork or small spatula. If you greased your tin well, they should pop right out like little savory cupcakes of joy.
Related: How to Make Mashed Potatoes 10x Better, According to My Chef-Husband
The Side Dish That Steals the Show
Serve these cheesy mashed potato cups alongside your main course, whatever it may be. They're elegant enough for a holiday but also simple enough for a weeknight. These can be made any time you want some cheesy comfort food and they reheat well—just pop them in the air fryer for max crispiness.
Once you try these, don't be surprised if they become your go-to side dish, no matter the season. Because when the side dish is this good, it just might upstage the main course.
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