Irresistibly Crispy, Cheesy Mashed Potato Fries Recipe

Crispy cheesy mashed potato fries represent the ultimate comfort food upgradeation that elevates humble ingredients into a crave-worthy delight.

potato lovers understand the magic happens when creamy interiors meet golden, crackling exteriors.

These delectable bites blend traditional potato goodness with irresistible crunch and melted cheese richness.

Home cooks can easily upgrade leftover mashed potatoes into something extraordinary with simple techniques.

The secret lies in strategic preparation and precise cooking methods that guarantee maximum texture and flavor.

crispy edges, soft centers, and gooey cheese create a sensational eating experience that appeals to all ages.

Precise seasoning and careful handling ensure each fry delivers maximum deliciousness.

Why Cheesy Mashed Potato Fries Are Crispy Comfort

• Reinvent Potato Sides: Transform traditional mashed potatoes into crispy, golden fries that surprise and delight your taste buds with an unexpected twist.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Packed with melty cheddar cheese throughout, these fries deliver an irresistible cheesy flavor that elevates the classic potato experience.
• Perfectly Crispy Texture Magic: The combination of freezing, cornstarch, and careful frying creates a super crunchy exterior with a creamy, soft interior that provides an incredible textural contrast.
• Quick Weekend Comfort Food: Ready in under an hour, these homemade fries offer a fun cooking project that's perfect for casual family meals or weekend snacking without requiring professional chef skills.

What You’ll Need for These Loaded Potato Fries

• Russet Potatoes: Starchy potatoes perfect for creating crispy exterior and fluffy interior, best when fresh and firm with smooth skin.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps draw moisture from potatoes.

• Black Pepper, Garlic Powder: Classic spice combination that adds depth and warmth to potato fries.

• Cornstarch, Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Cornstarch creates extra crispiness while cheddar adds rich, tangy flavor and golden color, choose sharp cheddar for more intense taste.
• Frying Oil: Neutral oil with high smoke point like vegetable or canola oil ensures even and crisp cooking.

How to Shape and Cook Them to Golden Perfection

Step 1: Prepare Potatoes

Wash russet potatoes thoroughly. Peel the potatoes and cut them into even, medium-sized chunks. Place potatoes in a large pot of cold, salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are super soft and easily pierced with a fork, about 15-20 minutes.

Step 2: Create Creamy Potato Base

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Cornstarch

Mix all ingredients until well combined and smooth.

Step 3: Form Potato Slab

• About 8 x 10 inches in size
• ¾ to 1 inch thick

Smooth the top with a spatula. Place in the freezer for 30-45 minutes until firm.

Step 4: Set Up Frying Station

Choose a deep, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Pour vegetable oil to a depth of 1 inch. Heat oil to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, using a digital thermometer for accuracy. Prepare a paper towel-lined plate for draining.

Step 5: Cut and Fry Potato Fries

Remove potato slab from freezer. Cut into uniform french fry shapes. Carefully lower fries into hot oil, working in small batches of 3-5 fries. Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Use tongs to flip fries for even cooking.

Step 6: Final Touch and Serve

Remove fries from oil and place on paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Sprinkle with additional salt if desired. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce like ranch, ketchup, or spicy aioli.

Tips for Crispy Outside and Soft Inside

• Potato Perfection: Choose russet potatoes for the best texture and flavor, as they have high starch content that creates crispy exteriors.
• Moisture Management: Pat potatoes completely dry after boiling to prevent excess water from making fries soggy during frying.
• Cheese Distribution: Shred cheese finely and mix thoroughly to ensure even flavor throughout the mashed potato mixture.
• Freezing Finesse: Chill the potato mixture completely before cutting to help fries maintain their shape and achieve maximum crispiness.
• Oil Temperature Control: Use a digital thermometer to maintain consistent oil temperature, which guarantees perfectly golden and crispy fries every time.

Best Storage and Reheat Methods for Leftovers

• Refrigeration: Store leftover potato fries in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Reheating Oven Method: Preheat oven to 425°F. Spread fries on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through to restore crispiness.
• Air Fryer Reheat: Place fries in the air fryer basket, set temperature to 375°F, and heat for 3-4 minutes until crispy and thoroughly warmed. Shake basket midway to ensure even heating.

What to Serve These Fries With for a Full Meal

• Boost with Tangy Dips: Pair these crispy cheesy mashed potato fries with zesty ranch, spicy sriracha mayo, or classic ketchup to enhance their rich, cheesy flavor.
• Perfect Beer Companion: Enjoy these indulgent fries with a cold, hoppy IPA or a light lager that cuts through the richness and cleanses the palate.
• Comfort Combo Sidekick: Serve alongside a juicy burger or grilled chicken sandwich to create a satisfying meal that balances crispy, cheesy textures with hearty protein.
• Cool Contrast Salad: Balance the heavy fries with a fresh, crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to add brightness and cut through the deep-fried goodness.

Flavor Upgrades for Crispy Cheesy Mashed Potato Fries

• Spicy Jalapeño Cheese Fries: Incorporate diced jalapeños and pepper jack cheese into the mashed potato mixture for a zesty kick.
• Herb-Infused Parmesan Fries: Replace cheddar with grated parmesan and add fresh chopped herbs like rosemary and thyme for an aromatic flavor profile.
• Bacon and Chive Loaded Fries: Mix in crispy crumbled bacon bits and chopped fresh chives for a classic loaded potato experience.
• Ranch Seasoned Fries: Blend ranch seasoning mix into the potato mixture and top with additional ranch powder after frying for extra tangy flavor.

Crispy Cheesy Mashed Potato Fries Recipe

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• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy cheesy mashed potato fries deliver a delightful twist on classic comfort classics from your kitchen. Packed with golden-brown edges and melted cheese goodness, these irresistible fries promise a crowd-pleasing experience you won’t forget.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 medium russet potatoes, washed, peeled, and cut (about 450 grams)
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 50 grams)

Seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Binding and Frying:

• ¼ cup cornstarch (about 30 grams)
• Oil for frying

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Instructions

1. Cleanse and transform russet potatoes into uniform chunks, immersing them in heavily salted water until they yield effortlessly when pierced with a fork, approximately 15 minutes.
2. After draining, relocate potatoes to a spacious mixing vessel. Crush them into a velvety consistency, then incorporate seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic powder, tangy cheddar cheese, and cornstarch, blending thoroughly.
3. Meticulously spread the potato mixture onto waxed paper, crafting a precise rectangular form measuring 8 x 10 inches with a thickness between ¾ to 1 inch. Dispatch to the freezer for half an hour to solidify.
4. Prepare cooking apparatus by filling a Dutch oven with vegetable oil, heating to a precise 325°F temperature, creating an ideal frying environment.
5. Extract the chilled potato block and slice into distinctive fry shapes. Carefully submerge small clusters of 3-5 fries into the hot oil, rotating gently to achieve an even, golden-brown exterior, requiring 5-7 minutes per batch.
6. Rescue the crispy potato fries using tongs, allowing excess oil to drain on absorbent paper towels. Present immediately alongside preferred dipping accompaniments for maximum gustatory pleasure.

Notes

• Chill the mashed potato mixture completely to help maintain its shape during frying and create a crispy exterior.
• Cutting uniform potato fry sizes ensures even cooking and a consistent texture throughout each batch.
• Monitoring oil temperature carefully prevents burning and guarantees a golden-brown, crunchy result that locks in cheesy potato goodness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes (per batch)
• Category: Snacks, Side Dish
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg