Use Leftover Thanksgiving Mashed Potatoes! Puerto Rican Style Bacon & Cheese Mini Stuffed Potato Balls (Rellenos de Papa con Tocineta y Queso) {Recipe}

One of my favorite Puerto Rican fried delicacies is rellenos de papa or papas rellenas (stuffed potato balls). Traditionally made with ground beef or chicken, the combination of the crispy fried outer shell, soft potato inside, and delicious meat filling, makes for a delightful treat. My kids have grown to love papas rellenas and ask to buy some whenever we go to local Latin restaurants. As I thought about a Thanksgiving leftovers recipe to share with you, I knew that transforming leftover mashed potatoes from your Thanksgiving meal into rellenos de papa would be perfect! Instead of the traditional rellenos de papa (ground beef stuffed potato balls), I decided to give this delicacy a twist and use bacon and cheese for the filling. Check out the recipe below so you too can use up those leftover mashed potatoes from Thanksgiving and make your own Puerto Rican style bacon and cheese stuffed potato balls! And if you need more Thanksgiving ideas, check out the Walmart Holiday Hub [aff], full of recipes and how-to videos!

 

Puerto Rican Style Bacon & Cheese Mini Stuffed Potato Balls (Rellenos de Papa con Tocineta y Queso)

*Yields about 20 mini potato balls

Ingredients

• 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes, warmed up or at room temperature
• 1/4 cup bacon, crumbled
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese – I used a triple cheddar cheese mix
• 1 egg
• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs (plain) [aff]
• Cooking oil, enough for frying

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine leftover mashed potatoes, bacon, and shredded cheese. Mix well.
2. Scoop up about 1 Tbsp of mashed potato mixture and roll into a ball. (Alternatively, you could roll mashed potatoes only into a ball, THEN add the bacon and cheese into the middle, before closing up your potato ball. I combined my ingredients into one mixture because my kids prefer it that way, rather than finding the filling in the middle.)
3. Dip potato ball into beaten egg, then roll in Panko bread crumbs, covering completely. Set aside on plate or baking sheet.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 until you have your desired amount of potato balls or mashed potato mixture is done.
5. In a large pot or deep fryer, heat cooking oil on medium-high heat.
6. Carefully place potato balls into oil and fry for about 3 minutes, until golden-brown. (Time will depend on oil temperature.)
7. Remove potato balls from oil and place on a paper towel-covered plate to soak up the oil.
8. Serve and enjoy!

For a visual of how to roll your stuffed potato balls, check out the quick video below, where I show you how to form your rellenos de papa before frying!

Do you think you’ll try making rellenos de papa (stuffed potato balls) with your leftover mashed potatoes from Thanksgiving?

All photos © Melanie Edwards/modernmami™