Pioneer Woman Potato Balls Recipe: Irresistible Savory Snacks

Pioneer Woman’s potato balls turn ordinary spuds into crispy flavor bombs that dance on your palate.

These golden-brown spheres pack a punch of creamy, cheesy goodness that’ll make mouths water.

Imagine transforming basic ingredients into culinary magic with minimal effort.

Soft potatoes mingle with rich cheese, creating a texture that whispers comfort in every bite.

The exterior crackles with a satisfying crunch while the interior remains velvety smooth.

Each morsel delivers a symphony of savory notes that elevate simple side dishes to rock star status.

You’ll fall in love with how effortlessly these potato balls become the star of any meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 11

What You’ll Need for Pioneer Woman Potato Balls

• Potatoes: Choose firm, starchy varieties like Russet for the creamiest texture.
• Butter: Select high-quality, unsalted butter for rich flavor.
• Cream Cheese: Look for smooth, full-fat cream cheese for maximum creaminess.
• Half-and-Half: Pick fresh dairy for silky smooth consistency.

• All-Purpose Flour: Use fresh, sifted flour for smooth texture.
• Egg: Select large, fresh eggs at room temperature.
• Fresh Parsley: Pick bright green, crisp herbs with vibrant aroma.
• Parmesan Cheese: Choose aged, hard cheese with deep nutty notes.
• Mozzarella: Select soft, mild cheese that melts beautifully.

• Breadcrumbs: Use fine, dry breadcrumbs for even, crispy coating.
• Vegetable Oil: Pick neutral oil with high smoke point for perfect frying.
• Kosher Salt: Use coarse salt for finishing crispy potato balls.
• Black Pepper: Select freshly ground pepper for robust flavor.

Tools to Shape and Cook Potato Balls

• Large Pot: Perfect for boiling and draining potatoes with plenty of space.
• Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for combining ingredients and shaping potato balls.
• Potato Masher: Essential tool for creating smooth, creamy mashed potatoes.
• Peeler: Sharp kitchen tool for removing potato skins quickly.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping and preparing ingredients.
• Measuring Cups: Accurate tools for measuring flour, cream, and other ingredients.
• Deep Skillet: Wide pan with high sides for deep-frying potato balls safely.
• Slotted Spoon: Helpful for removing crispy potato balls from hot oil.
• Paper Towels: Absorbent sheets for draining excess oil from fried balls.
• Cheese Grater: Great for shredding Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.

Easy Recipe Steps for Potato Balls

• Whip Up Potato Base

Boil peeled and chunked potatoes in salted water until fork-tender. Drain completely and return to warm pot. Mash potatoes with creamy dairy ingredients, creating a smooth and velvety texture. Season generously with salt and pepper, allowing mixture to cool naturally.

• Craft Flavorful Potato Spheres

Blend cooled potato mixture with binding ingredients like egg and flour. Fold in herbs, cheese varieties, and seasonings. Gently shape mixture into uniform round balls. Roll each sphere in crunchy breadcrumb coating, ensuring complete coverage.

• Crisp and Golden Frying

Heat oil in deep skillet until shimmering and hot. Carefully lower potato spheres into bubbling oil. Rotate periodically, watching for rich golden-brown coloration. Remove with slotted utensil and place on absorbent towels to drain excess oil. Sprinkle with finishing salt immediately.

• Serve and Celebrate

Arrange potato spheres on serving platter. Shower with additional grated cheese and fresh herb garnish. Present immediately while crispy and warm, ready to delight hungry guests with irresistible cheesy goodness.

Crisping Tips and Potato Filling Ideas

• Boost Your Potato Balls: Expert Tips and Twists
• Customize Coating Crunch: Experiment with different breadcrumb varieties like panko, Italian-seasoned, or even crushed cornflakes for extra texture and flavor variations.
• Cheese Lover's Swap: Replace traditional cheeses with blue cheese, gouda, or sharp cheddar to create unique taste profiles that will surprise your taste buds and elevate the recipe.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare potato balls up to 24 hours in advance and store in the refrigerator. Simply fry them right before serving to maintain maximum crispiness and fresh-from-the-kitchen appeal.
• Healthier Baking Option: For a lighter version, bake potato balls at 425°F for 20-25 minutes instead of deep-frying. Spray with olive oil cooking spray to help achieve a golden, crispy exterior without excess oil.

How to Serve Potato Balls as Sides

• Pair with Zesty Dipping Sauces: Create a flavor explosion by serving these potato balls with marinara, ranch, or garlic aioli for extra excitement.
• Cocktail Party Presentation: Arrange potato balls on a decorative platter with toothpicks, making them perfect for easy mingling and elegant entertaining.
• Complement with Fresh Salad: Balance the richness of potato balls by serving alongside a crisp green salad with light vinaigrette for a complete meal experience.
• Elevate Game Day Spread: Serve as a crowd-pleasing appetizer during sports events, pairing wonderfully with cold beverages and creating a fun, casual dining atmosphere.

Storing Potato Balls and Reheating Right

• Preserve Peak Flavor: Store potato balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, maintaining their delicious crunch and cheesy goodness.
• Reheat with Crispiness: Warm leftover potato balls in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, restoring their golden exterior and keeping the inside soft and creamy.
• Freezer-Friendly Preparation: Freeze uncooked potato balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before frying for perfect texture.
• Smart Meal Prep Strategy: Prepare potato ball mixture ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, allowing flavors to meld and making last-minute entertaining a breeze.

Crispy Pioneer Woman Potato Balls Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Hearty pioneer woman potato balls combine crispy exterior with creamy potato goodness from simple ingredients. Midwestern comfort arrives perfectly golden and deliciously satisfying for you to savor with family and friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 lbs (2.27 kg) russet or Yukon gold potatoes
• 1 ½ cups (340 g) cold mashed potatoes
• 8 oz (227 g) cream cheese
• ¾ cup (170 g) salted butter
• ½ cup (120 ml) half-and-half
• ½ cup (57 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• ¾ cup (90 g) dried breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh parsley, chopped
• ½ tsp seasoned salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• vegetable oil, for frying
• kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Potato Preparation: Cleanse russet potatoes, slice into uniform cubes. Submerge in salted water, boil until fork-tender, then drain completely.
2. Mashing Process: Transform boiled potatoes into silky smooth mixture by incorporating butter, cream cheese, and half-and-half. Season with salt and pepper, allowing mixture to cool to ambient temperature.
3. Mixture Development: Blend cooled mashed potatoes with flour, egg, parsley, Parmesan, mozzarella, and additional pepper. Integrate ingredients thoroughly until cohesive consistency is achieved.
4. Shaping and Coating: Craft potato mixture into uniform spherical shapes. Meticulously roll each ball in panko breadcrumbs, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
5. Oil Preparation: Heat vegetable oil in deep skillet to precise 375°F. Maintain consistent temperature using deep-fry thermometer for optimal frying conditions.
6. Frying Technique: Gently lower breaded potato spheres into hot oil using slotted spoon. Fry in controlled batches, rotating to achieve golden-brown exterior, approximately 3-4 minutes.
7. Finishing Touch: Extract potato balls, allowing excess oil to drain. Transfer to paper towel-lined rack. Immediately season with kosher salt while piping hot.
8. Presentation: Arrange crispy potato balls on elegant serving platter. Embellish with additional Parmesan and fresh parsley. Serve promptly for maximum flavor and texture.

Notes

• Potato Temperature Control: Let mashed potatoes cool completely to prevent sticky, difficult-to-shape mixture and ensure optimal binding of ingredients.
• Breadcrumb Coating Technique: Roll potato balls gently but firmly in panko breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to create a crisp, even golden exterior that adheres perfectly.
• Oil Precision Matters: Maintain exact 375°F oil temperature for consistent golden-brown color and prevent soggy or burnt potato balls during frying.
• Batch Frying Strategy: Avoid overcrowding the skillet by frying in small batches, which ensures each potato ball gets evenly crisp and maintains optimal oil temperature.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg