Thanksgiving is long gone up here in Canada but just around the corner in the US. Today we have for you Thanksgiving Leftovers. I can say I love leftovers but only once do I really enjoy the exact same meal again. Then what? You have all that leftover veggie, potato, cranberries and turkey. Well today we are here to help with Cheesy Mashed Potato Croquettes!
I went with the leftover mashed potatoes and created them into something a little naughty but oh so lovely!! If you had one or two of these with some grilled fish and a salad the thoughts of Thanksgiving dinner will be long forgotten. Not that it wasn’t fabulous to start off with but I really need a change by the third night of leftovers. Don’t you?

These are a little persnickety I will admit. Not for the faint of heart. You have to have leftover mashed potatoes or potatoes that are well chilled. They will turn out different depending on your mashed potatoes. Mine were very light and fluffy and they did have sour cream in them like when you have made a make ahead mashed potato casserole.
You want your oil hot of course but not too hot that the outside will burn and the cheese won’t melt in the middle. I wouldn’t go right into serving them for a dinner party if I had never made them before. I made a batch and they turned out great. Ken made a batch later in the night and had difficulty with getting them just right. Like I said they are persnickety but so worth it once you perfect the right technique.
To help you form them I use wax paper.

Place oblong mounds of mashed potato and shape to 4-4 1/2″ long on wax paper, place a strip of cheese that is 2 1/2″ long by 1/2″ into the center. Using the wax paper roll up and make sure the potato is covering all the cheese evenly. You could add a little flour to your mashed potatoes to make a dough but I just used straight mashed.

For leftover recipes, you can be completely specific or go with how much you have on hand. If I give you a recipe for 3 cups of mashed potatoes and you have 4 then what do you do with the extra cup. This way you can make as many as you want. Simple right?
They are crispy and salty on the outside and so creamy and cheesy on the inside, a real treat.
- Mashed potatoes, with added flour if needed, 2 Tbsp. for 3-4 cups mashed
- Cheddar cheese cut into 2½ by ½" pieces
- Eggs, beaten
- Panko bread crumbs
- Salt and Pepper
- Garlic Salt
- Oil for frying (I used Canola)
- Mix in flour if desired. You may need it for looser potatoes. Place a long piece of wax paper on the counter and form oblong mounds of mashed potato. Shape them into 4½" long mounds and flatten slightly. Place the cheese in the center of the mound. Using the wax paper to roll, make them into logs. Continue with the potatoes until you have enough made and you have used up your leftover mashed potatoes. You can also make these into little balls. Would be easier to work with if you have never made them before. Refrigerate for 30 min. (very important step)
- Heat oil in a wok. Add 2-3 eggs into a rectangle dish and whisk. Add the panko crumbs into another, season with garlic salt and salt and pepper. Start off with smaller amounts you can always add more eggs or panko crumbs as needed. Once potatoes have been refrigerated carefully roll them in the eggs and then the panko crumbs. Fry until golden brown in the hot oil. Make sure the oil is not too hot. You want them to turn golden brown slowly, if they are done too quickly the cheese won't melt. Remove to a paper towel lined plate and season with salt. Keep warm in the oven on low as you make more.
- You can fry two at a time but start to brown one first and then add the other so they won't stick together.
Look at all the wonderful recipes we have for you today with leftovers!! Come and see them all!!
Breakfast:
Cranberry Sauce Muffins by The Foodie Army Wife
Leftover Stuffing Breakfast Strata by Ruffles & Truffles
Sweet Potato Casserole Muffins by Magnolia Days
Turkey & Chorizo Breakfast Hash by Brunch with Joy
Italian Mashed Potato Pancakes by The Weekend Gourmet
Cranberry Sauce’d Corn Bread Muffins by Rhubarb and Honey
Main Dish:
Leftover Pie by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Thanksgiving Leftover Waffles by Foxes Love Lemons
Stuffing Hash by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Turkey Pizza by Meal Diva
Turkey & Caramelized Onion Risotto by kimchi MOM
Turkey with Creamy Mushroom Marsala Sauce by Casa de Crews
Moroccan Turkey Stew by What Smells So Good?
Peruvian Cilantro & Turkey Soup by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
Turkey & Butternut Squash Stew by Cooking Chat
Turkey Kreplach Soup by Panning the Globe
Turkey & Stuffing Crepes by Peaceful Cooking
Cranberry Apple Pecan Chicken Salad by NeighborFood
Herbed Turkey over Cornbread Waffles with Cranberry Sauce by girlichef
Creamy Peanut Gochujang Pasta by Wallflour Girl
Cranberry Sweet Potato Soup by Take A Bite Out of Boca
Turkey Enchilada Pasta Bake by Curious Cuisiniere
Turkey Orzo Risotto by Family Foodie
Turkey Croquettes by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Side Dishes:
Cheesy Mashed Potato Croquettes by Noshing with the Nolands
Whipped Carrots with Sriracha Butter by Healthy Delicious
Cranberry-Balsamic Glazed Cauliflower Wings by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Parmesan Mashed Cauliflower and Potatoes by Momma’s Meals
Cheesy Jalapeño Potato Cakes by Bobbi’s Cozy Kitchen
Sandwiches:
Cranberry & Turkey Sandwich by The Redhead Baker
Monte Cristo Sandwich by Nik Snacks
Hot Brown Turkey Sandwiches by The Life and Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch
Sprouted Grain Turkey, Cranberry & Brie Panini by Amee’s Savory Dish
Turkey Cranberry Flatbread by Peanut Butter and Peppers
Condiments & Sauces:
Cranberry Vinaigrette by Nosh My Way
Leftover White Wine Syrup by Food Lust People Love
DIY Yellow Mustard by The Texan New Yorker
Dessert:
Banana Cheesecake with Pecan Graham Cracker Crust by Desserts Required
Cranberry Cream Cheese Bars by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Gluten-Free Lemon Cake by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Spiced Cranberry Sauce Buckle by The Wimpy Vegetarian
Cocktails & Drinks:
Cranberry Orange Crush by The Messy Baker
Cranberry Bellini by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
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These potato croquettes look amazingly delicious, Tara. I adore all that cheese. What a fantastic idea! Happily pinned and stumbled 🙂
Thank you so much Nicole!
Tara, I think I want these for Thanksgiving instead the usual menu. We kinda have a similar version in Indonesian, except no cheese and filled with meat/veggies. But I love yours so much and panko is my fave bread crumbs.
Thank you Linda, enjoy!
When we lived in Brazil, one of my favorite appetizers was called bolinhos de batata, deep fried mashed potatoes with Parmesan cheese. Your version with melty cheese in the middle looks even better, Tara!
Thanks so much Stacy!
Ooo……look at that cheese just oozing out of the middle. YUM!!!!!
Thanks Constance, they were delish!
Tara – Love that these have a crispy panko coating! I have never done that with my potato pancakes…but I should!
Thanks so much Wendy!
YUM! These look amazing – my kids would go crazy for a bite of them!
Thanks Jennifer!!
These look CRAZY good!!! Want them before, during and after Thanksgiving dinner!
Thanks so much Liz!
My kids and grandkids would gobble these up!
I am sure they would, thanks Linda!
These look so beautiful and crispy! I would love to have these ON Thanksgiving!
Thanks so much Shaina, they were nice and crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside.
Have I told you how much I love croquettes?
Nope, but now I know!!
Wow! These cheesy mashed potato croquettes are my dream comfort food! They look irresistibly good!
Thank you Lisa!!
I’m drooling over here. That crunchy coating and soft center look amazing.
Thank you Jennie!
TOTALLY worth the little bit of trouble – these look AMAZING. I mean, I’ve probably looked at this picture 20 times today wishing I had a few to nibble on…
Thanks so much Heather, I have stayed on your photo wishing the same!!
Croquettes are like the cake balls of savory food. LOVE this idea of hiding all those awesome leftovers in fried goodness! You’re an absolute genuis, Tara. Go you, and go Thanksgiving table extravaganza!
Thanks so much Ala!
I could totally go for a plate of these right now!
Thanks Sarah!
These look out of control good! Potatoes and cheese together are calling my name!
Thank you so much Heather!
Wow, Tara! This recipe looks delicious!
Thank you Susie!
The cheesy centers take these over the top! I bet they would be good with some sort of cranberry dipping sauce to use up even more leftovers.
Now you are talking Brianne with the cranberries, YUM!!
Oh, this is delightfully naughty! I love that you included the wax paper trick too. That’s genius!
Thanks so much Courtney!
This is a brilliant idea! It looks so easy. I’d gobble these up in one sitting.
Thanks Tammi!
ooooooh this recipe is so creative and SO incredible! I’d eat 10 at once!!
Thanks so much Kayle!!
Yes, yes, yes! Leftovers or not..I’m totally making these!
Thanks so much Amy, enjoy!!
Oh my gosh, I LOVE croquettes and order them at restaurants whenever I see them on the menu. Why don’t I just make my own? I’m making caramelized onion mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving this year – I think those will work well here!
Wow, with they would be amazing with caramelized onion mashed potatoes. Oh my heavens!!
Sounds so delicious! My kids would love these!!
Thanks for coming over Amee!
Love this cheesy goodness Tara!!
I love that you called these naughty, lol. They are, but also look so fun and delish!!
I love the surprise bite of cheese inside!
We LOVE cheesy croquettes here!
Wow this looks good! That cheesy filling oozing out! That crunchy crust! That creamy potato-y goodness! Yum Just yum!
Could these be baked instead of fried?
They are very delicate, I don’t think they would do well baked but you could always try one!