Crispy & Creamy Cheesy Colcannon Balls Recipe You’ll Love

Crispy potato and colcannon balls bring an Irish twist to comfort food that’ll make you smile.

Golden nuggets of mashed potatoes and kale hide a secret cheese core waiting to melt.

Traditional recipes often feel predictable, but these little bites pack serious flavor punch.

Small gatherings or game nights deserve something special like these crisp, creamy morsels.

Comfort food doesn’t need complicated techniques – just quality ingredients and a playful approach.

Warm memories of Dublin kitchens inspire each perfectly seasoned sphere.

Grab a plate and let’s turn humble ingredients into something extraordinary that you’ll crave again and again.

Why Cheesy Colcannon Balls Are So Satisfying

• Make Comfort Food Easy: These cheesy colcannon balls transform traditional Irish potato side dish into crispy, handheld appetizers that anyone can prepare without complicated techniques.
• Quick Party Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for game nights, potlucks, or casual gatherings, these bite-sized treats take just 30 minutes from start to finish and guarantee smiles from guests of all ages.
• Customize with Creativity: Experiment with different cheese types like sharp Irish cheddar or smoky gouda, swap cabbage for kale, or add bacon bits to personalize these delightful potato balls according to your taste preferences.
• No-Fuss Cooking Method: Simple pan-frying technique requires minimal cooking skills, making this recipe accessible for beginners while delivering restaurant-quality results with a golden, crunchy exterior and melty cheese center.

Ingredients Needed For Cheesy Colcannon Balls

• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy base that holds the mixture together, best when smooth and slightly warm.
• Cabbage: Adds traditional Irish flavor and subtle crunch, finely chopped for even distribution.
• Green Onions: Provides fresh, mild onion flavor and green color.

• Egg: Helps bind ingredients and provides structure to the balls.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall taste.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds rich, sharp cheese flavor throughout the mixture.

• Breadcrumbs: Creates crispy exterior when coating and frying, provides golden crunch.
• Vegetable Oil: Used for deep frying to achieve crispy, golden-brown exterior.
• Cheese Cube: Surprise melted cheese center when balls are fried.

How To Make Cheesy Colcannon Balls At Home

Step 1: Prepare Potato Mixture

• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Finely chopped cabbage
• Sliced green onions
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Beaten egg
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Breadcrumbs

Mix all ingredients thoroughly until everything blends together perfectly.

Step 2: Create Cheese-Filled Balls

Scoop a small portion of the potato mixture and gently flatten it in your palm. Nestle a tiny cheese cube right in the center, then carefully wrap and shape the mixture into a compact ball. Continue this process until you’ve used all the potato mixture.

Step 3: Add Crispy Coating

Roll each potato ball generously in additional breadcrumbs, ensuring a complete and even coverage for maximum crunchiness.

Step 4: Heat Cooking Oil

Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pot. Bring the oil temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, using a cooking thermometer for precision.

Step 5: Fry Golden Balls

Carefully lower the potato balls into the hot oil, working in small batches. Fry each batch for 2-3 minutes, rotating occasionally to achieve an even, gorgeous golden-brown exterior.

Step 6: Drain and Serve

Transfer the freshly fried colcannon balls onto paper towels to remove excess oil. Plate immediately while piping hot and crispy, ready to delight hungry guests.

Tips For Better Cheesy Colcannon Balls

• Potato Perfection: Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the creamiest, smoothest mashed potato base that holds together perfectly.
• Cheese Hiding Trick: Use cold, firm cheese cubes when stuffing the center to prevent melting before frying and ensure a gooey surprise inside each ball.
• Crispy Coating Technique: Pat the balls dry before rolling in breadcrumbs to help the coating adhere better and create an extra crunchy exterior.
• Temperature Control: Maintain consistent oil temperature around 350F to prevent greasy balls and ensure even, golden-brown cooking throughout.
• Veggie Variation: Swap cabbage with kale or spinach for a different nutritional profile and subtle flavor twist that keeps the dish exciting.

How To Store Cheesy Colcannon Balls The Right Way

• Refrigerate leftover Cheesy Colcannon Balls in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Keep them separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Reheat in the oven at 375F for 10-12 minutes to restore their crispy exterior.
• Avoid microwaving, as this will make the balls soggy and lose their delightful crunch.
• For longer storage, freeze the uncooked balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag.
• Frozen balls can be stored up to 1 month and cooked directly from frozen, adding an extra 2-3 minutes to frying time.
• Pro tip: Always let the balls cool completely before storing to maintain their texture and prevent condensation.

Best Pairings For Cheesy Colcannon Balls

• Sip Smooth Irish Stout: Pair these crispy colcannon balls with a creamy Guinness or Murphy's Irish stout for a traditional flavor match that highlights the rich potato and cheese combination.
• Brighten with Tangy Sauce: Serve alongside a zesty herb-infused aioli or a spicy mustard dip to cut through the richness and add exciting flavor contrasts.
• Cool Down with Fresh Slaw: Complement the hot, crispy balls with a light, refreshing cabbage and apple coleslaw to balance the deep-fried texture and provide a crisp counterpoint.
• Elevate with Crisp Salad: Create a light green salad with mixed herbs and a light vinaigrette to add freshness and help balance the hearty, cheesy appetizer.

Ways To Shake Up Cheesy Colcannon Balls

• Herb-Infused Colcannon Bites: Add fresh chopped rosemary, thyme, and parsley to the potato mixture for an aromatic herbal boost.
• Spicy Irish Poppers: Mix in diced jalapeños and a dash of cayenne pepper to give these balls a fiery kick.
• Bacon-Loaded Potato Spheres: Fold crispy crumbled bacon into the potato mix and sprinkle extra bacon bits on top for a smoky, savory flavor.
• Mediterranean Fusion Balls: Replace cheddar with crumbled feta cheese and incorporate chopped sundried tomatoes and fresh basil for a Mediterranean-inspired version.

Questions About Cheesy Colcannon Balls

• What makes these Colcannon Balls special?

These balls combine traditional Irish colcannon with a fun, crispy appetizer twist. The blend of mashed potatoes, cabbage, and melted cheese creates a delicious comfort food that’s both nostalgic and exciting.

• Can I make these ahead of time?

You can prepare the balls and refrigerate them for up to 2 hours before frying. This makes them perfect for party prep or when you want to get some work done in advance.

• Is there a trick to getting the cheese center just right?

Use cold, firm cheese cubes and make sure to completely seal the cheese inside the potato mixture. This prevents the cheese from leaking out during frying and ensures a gooey, surprise center in every bite.

• What's the best way to get a crispy exterior?

Rolling the balls in breadcrumbs twice helps create an extra crunchy coating. Make sure your oil is at the right temperature (350F) for the perfect golden-brown crispiness.

Cheesy Colcannon Balls Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Irish comfort meets crispy indulgence in these cheesy colcannon balls, blending creamy mashed potatoes with sharp cheddar and green onions. Golden-brown and irresistibly crunchy, these bite-sized delights promise pure potato pleasure you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 cup cooked cabbage or kale, finely chopped
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 3 green onions, finely sliced
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Coating and Cooking Ingredients:

• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• Oil for frying

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly blend mashed potatoes with finely chopped cabbage, sliced green onions, seasoning, whisked egg, grated cheddar, and initial breadcrumb portion in a spacious mixing vessel until ingredients harmonize completely.
2. Carefully portion the mixture into golf ball-sized spheres, gently creating a small indentation to nestle a compact cheese cube at the center.
3. Delicately encase the cheese morsel, ensuring complete coverage by smoothly reshaping each sphere with gentle, consistent pressure.
4. Generously coat each potato sphere in remaining breadcrumbs, rotating to achieve an even, crisp exterior that will provide a delightful crunch when fried.
5. Prepare a deep cooking vessel with vegetable oil, heating to a precise temperature that ensures rapid, even golden browning without absorbing excessive oil.
6. Carefully lower potato spheres into the hot oil, working in controlled batches to maintain optimal cooking temperature and prevent overcrowding.
7. Rotate the balls periodically, allowing each side to develop a uniform, rich golden-brown color that signals perfect crispy doneness.
8. Transfer the freshly fried colcannon balls onto absorbent paper towels, letting excess oil drain while preserving their crackling texture.
9. Serve immediately while piping hot, offering a delectable blend of creamy potato, melted cheese, and crisp exterior.

Notes

• Customize the potato texture by using starchy russet potatoes for a fluffier interior and more consistent binding.
• Squeeze out excess moisture from cooked cabbage to prevent soggy balls and ensure a crisp exterior when frying.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like Gruyère or pepper jack for unique flavor profiles that complement the traditional Irish ingredients.
• Prepare a gluten-free version by substituting regular breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs for those with dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 290 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg