Slimming world chocolate

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Chilling Time: 30 minutes (highly recommended)
Total Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes
Cooking Intensity: Easy
Cost to Make: $ (Budget-Friendly)
Servings: Makes approximately 20-24 balls
Dietary Notes: Vegetarian; can be adapted to be gluten-free.

Ingredients

For the best results, use precise measurements. Using leftover mashed potatoes is a great time-saver!

For the Potato Cheese Filling:

2 cups (about 500g) mashed potatoes, cooled (from about 3 medium russet potatoes)
1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese, for meltiness
½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese, for saltiness
¼ cup (25g) finely chopped chives or green onions
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for color and flavor)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Breading Station:

½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup (100g) Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs (or Panko for extra crunch)
Cooking spray or oil spray (avocado or canola oil work well)

For Serving (Optional):

Marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or sour cream for dipping.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

If you don’t have leftover mashed potatoes, start by peeling and cubing 3 medium russet potatoes. Place them in a pot of cold, salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain thoroughly and return them to the hot pot for a minute to steam off any excess moisture. Mash them until completely smooth and allow them to cool completely. Warm potatoes will make the mixture too sticky and difficult to handle.

Step 2: Create the Filling Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled mashed potatoes, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, chives, egg yolk, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well-incorporated. Season generously with salt and pepper. Taste the mixture (it’s safe to eat!) and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 3: Shape the Balls

Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, portion the potato mixture. Roll each portion into a tight, smooth ball, roughly 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet as you work.

Step 4: The Crucial Chill

This is the secret to a non-sticky, firm ball that holds its shape in the air fryer. Place the entire baking sheet of uncooked potato cheese balls in the freezer for 15-20 minutes or the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step solidifies the cheese and fats, preventing the balls from bursting open during cooking.

Step 5: Set Up Your Breading Station

While the balls are chilling, set up a standard breading station with three shallow bowls:

Bowl 1: All-purpose flour.
Bowl 2: Lightly beaten eggs.
Bowl 3: Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs.

Step 6: Bread the Balls

Remove the chilled potato balls from the fridge. Working with one ball at a time, roll it in the flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the beaten egg, ensuring it’s fully coated. Finally, roll it in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure an even, thorough coating. Place the breaded ball back onto the baking sheet. Repeat with all remaining balls.

Step 7: Air Frying to Perfection

Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
Arrange the breaded potato balls in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they are not touching to allow for proper air circulation. You will likely need to cook in 2-3 batches.
Spray the tops of the balls generously with cooking spray. This is key for achieving a golden, crispy exterior.
Air fry for 12-15 minutes, or until the outside is deep golden brown and crispy. There is no need to flip them halfway if your air fryer has good circulation, but you can do so for absolute evenness.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!

Remove the potato cheese balls from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute or two—the cheesy center will be extremely hot! Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces like warm marinara, cool ranch, or a dollop of sour cream.

Recipe Notes & Tips for Success

Cheese Variations: Feel free to experiment with the cheese! A sharp cheddar, Gouda, or even a pepper jack would be delicious.
Add-Ins: For a bit of heat, mix in ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or finely diced jalapeños into the potato mixture.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare these balls up through the breading step and freeze them solid on the baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a zip-top bag. Cook directly from frozen, adding 3-5 extra minutes to the air frying time.
Avoid Bursting: The main reasons balls burst are: 1) the potato mixture was too warm when shaped, and 2) they weren’t chilled enough before cooking. Don’t skip the chill!
Gluten-Free Option: Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a GF blend and use certified gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Nutritional Information

(Disclaimer: The following is an estimated nutritional calculation based on the ingredients used and should not be taken as a strict medical fact. Values can vary based on specific ingredient brands and sizes.)

Serving Size: 2 potato cheese balls

Calories: ~180 kcal
Total Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 3.5g
Cholesterol: 55mg
Sodium: 280mg
Total Carbohydrates: 21g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 2g
Protein: 8g

Slimming world chocolate

Ingredients