Cheese balls

Crispy cheese balls that are easy to make, taste delicious with great flavors. These potato cheese balls make for a great party snack. These can be deep fried, baked or pan fried.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips.

Prep Time15 minutes

Cook Time20 minutes

Total Time35 minutes

Servings10 cheese balls

AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )

Ingredients for cheese balls

250 grams potatoes
1 teaspoon garlic paste or powder
salt use little - cheese is salted
½ to ¾ tsp chilli flakes or use as needed
1/8 to ¼ tsp pepper crushed or ground
½ tsp herbs dried - any (I used Italian herbs)
6 tbsp bread crumbs or panko crumbs or 2 to 4 tbsps poha powder
2 tbsp coriander leaves or cilantro or any fresh herbs fine chopped
oil as needed for frying

For the stuffing

80 to 100 grams cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
½ tsp herbs dried - any (I used Italian herbs)
¼ to ½ tsp chilli flakes (skip if making for toddlers)
1/8 to ¼ tsp pepper crushed or ground
1/8 tsp allspice powder or any spice powder or ½ tsp garam masala

For coating cheese balls

2 tbsp corn flour (corn starch)
2 tbsp corn flour (corn starch) or 1 egg
½ cup bread crumbs (or very coarse poha powder)

How to make the recipe

Preparation for cheese balls

Boil potatoes with the skin on until al dente but fully cooked. They should not be too mushy.
Remove the skin and mash them well until smooth with a masher. There should be no lumps.
Add garlic paste, herbs, coriander leaves, salt (very little), chili flakes, pepper and bread crumbs.
Mix them well and make a ball. The mixture must bind together and should not be sticky or too dry.
Divide the mixture to 8 to 10 equal sized balls.
Cut the cheese to ½ inch cubes.
Mix together herbs, chili flakes, pepper and spice powder. Toss the cheese in this mix. Set aside.

How to make cheese balls

Take a potato ball and spread it evenly to a small patty in your palm. Place a cheese cube in the center.
Gently bring the edges together to make a ball. Ensure the ball is sealed well without any cracks.
Add 2 tbsps corn flour to another wide plate. Spread it.
Roll the finished ball in corn flour. The same way make all the cheese balls.
If you do not prefer to coat them in bread crumbs, you can pan fry these straight away.

Making breaded cheese balls

Transfer ½ cup bread crumbs to a separate plate. Set this aside.
Add 2 tbsps corn flour to another bowl and mix with 3 to 4 tbsps water. Make a thin mixture. Alternately you can also use a beaten egg.
Gently drop each ball in the corn flour mixture or egg and make it moist.
Immediately roll it in bread crumbs. Set this aside in a plate. Finish making all the balls.
Double bread the cheese balls - Repeat the same steps of dipping in flour mixture and then coating the bread crumbs again.
Set aside in a plate. Rest them for 10 mins.

Frying cheese balls

To a wide deep pan pour oil just enough to half immerse the cheese balls. Heat the oil on a medium flame.
Drop a small piece of the potato mixture to check if the oil is hot enough. It has to come up immediately without browning. This is the right temperature.
Regulate the flame to medium. Next gently slide the balls one by one & do not disturb them for half to 1 min.
Gently stir them and fry until golden and crisp.
Serve potato cheese balls hot with any dip or sauce.

Baking in oven

To bake - Preheat the oven at 200 C ( or 390 F). Grease a wired rack and place it on a tray.
Place the cheese balls over the rack and bake them for 15 mins. Adjust the timings as needed.
You can pan fry them in 2 batches using 2 to 3 tbsps oil per batch.
Some amount of bread crumbs will come off the balls and it is just okay. They will still be good.

NUTRITION (estimation only)