Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potato Cups Recipe

Crispy Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potato Cups Recipe Worth Sharing

These creamy, golden-edged garlic parmesan mashed potato cups deliver a delightful twist on classic potato sides.

Baked until crisp and perfectly seasoned, these individual portions pack incredible flavor in every bite.

The combination of smooth, velvety potatoes with sharp parmesan cheese creates an irresistible texture that melts in your mouth.

Each cup emerges from the oven with a delectable golden-brown crust that promises a crunchy exterior and pillowy interior.

Cheese lovers and potato enthusiasts will adore this elegant yet simple side dish that elevates any meal.

Rich, comforting, and absolutely delicious, these mashed potato cups are sure to become a new favorite at your dinner table.

Serve these crowd-pleasing cups and watch them disappear in moments.

Why Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potato Cups Are So Fun

  • Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer: Transforms classic mashed potatoes into cute, shareable individual servings that wow guests at parties and gatherings.
  • Quick and Simple Preparation: Requires minimal cooking skills and basic ingredients, making it perfect for home cooks of all experience levels who want an impressive side dish.
  • Versatile Serving Option: Works brilliantly as a game day snack, holiday side dish, or creative potluck contribution that stands out from standard potato recipes.
  • Customizable Comfort Food: Easily adaptable with additional herbs, cheese varieties, or mix-ins to suit different taste preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients for Mashed Potato Cups With Flavor

Main Ingredients:
  • Mashed Potatoes: Creamy base that gives the recipe its heart and comfort.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Sharp and salty cheese that adds rich flavor.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Melty cheese that creates a golden crispy topping.
Aromatic Ingredients:
  • Garlic, Parsley: Fresh herbs that bring a zesty and bright taste.
Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Butter, Egg, Salt, Pepper: Classic ingredients that help bind and enhance the overall flavor profile.

How to Make Cheesy Garlic Potato Cups

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Heat the oven to a toasty 400°F.

Generously coat a muffin tin with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the potato cups.

Step 2: Create Potato Mixture

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine your creamy mashed potatoes with these delightful ingredients:
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Finely chopped garlic
  • Melted butter
  • Chopped fresh parsley
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Beaten egg

Stir everything together until the mixture is smooth and well-blended, creating a rich and flavorful base.

Step 3: Fill Muffin Tin

Carefully spoon the potato mixture into each muffin cup, filling them about three-quarters of the way to the top.

This allows room for the cheese topping and prevents overflow during baking.

Step 4: Add Cheesy Topping

Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of each potato cup, creating a golden, melty crust that will make these treats irresistible.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Watch for the tops to turn a beautiful golden brown and develop a crispy, slightly crunchy exterior.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Remove the potato cups from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes.

This short waiting period helps them set and makes removal easier.

Carefully extract the cups from the tin and serve them warm, revealing their crispy exterior and creamy interior.

Tips for Crispy Edges and Creamy Centers

  • Use room temperature ingredients for smoother, creamier mashed potato mixture that blends more easily.
  • Grate fresh Parmesan and mozzarella for superior flavor and more even melting compared to pre-shredded cheese.
  • Generously grease the muffin tin with butter or cooking spray to ensure easy removal of potato cups without breaking.
  • Experiment with fresh herbs like chives, rosemary, or thyme to add extra depth and personalize the flavor profile.
  • Replace regular butter with dairy-free alternative and use plant-based cheese for a vegan-friendly version of this recipe.

How to Reheat and Store Potato Cups With Ease

  • Store leftover potato cups in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping them fresh and tasty in the refrigerator.
  • Warm potato cups at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, restoring their crispy exterior and soft interior for maximum flavor.
  • Quickly reheat individual cups for 30-45 seconds, watching carefully to prevent overcooking and maintain their delicious texture.
  • Wrap cooled potato cups tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to one month, ensuring a convenient make-ahead meal option.

Best Bites to Pair With Potato Parmesan Cups

  • Pair Crisp Chardonnay: The buttery, oak-aged white wine complements the rich garlic and cheese flavors in the potato cups, creating a smooth taste experience.
  • Match Roasted Chicken: Tender, herb-seasoned roasted chicken provides a perfect protein companion that enhances the savory potato cup's texture and warmth.
  • Select Crisp Green Salad: A light, tangy salad with mixed greens and lemon vinaigrette cuts through the potato cups' richness, balancing the creamy, cheesy profile.
  • Serve Pinot Noir: A light-bodied red wine with subtle earthy notes adds depth and complexity to the garlic Parmesan potato cups, creating a delightful dining moment.

Mix-and-Match Add-Ins for Mashed Potato Cups

  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace regular Parmesan cheese with a certified gluten-free Parmesan and use gluten-free breadcrumbs if desired for extra crispiness.
  • Vegan Alternative: Swap egg with flax egg, use dairy-free butter substitute, replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast, and use plant-based mozzarella cheese for a completely dairy-free option.
  • Low-Carb Option: Substitute mashed potatoes with mashed cauliflower or mashed turnips to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining a similar creamy texture.
  • Herb Lovers' Variation: Experiment with different fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or chives instead of parsley to create unique flavor profiles and add extra aromatic complexity to the potato cups.

FAQs

  • Can I use instant mashed potatoes for this recipe?

Yes, instant mashed potatoes work well. Just prepare them according to package instructions before mixing with other ingredients, ensuring they’re thick enough to hold shape in the muffin tin.

  • How do I prevent the potato cups from sticking to the muffin tin?

Generously grease the muffin tin with butter or cooking spray. You can also use parchment paper liners for easy removal and minimal sticking.

  • Is it necessary to add the egg to the recipe?

The egg helps bind the ingredients and provides structure, helping the potato cups maintain their shape. If you’re egg-free, you can use a substitute like 1/4 cup of mashed potato or 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.

  • Can I make these potato cups ahead of time?

You can prepare the mixture and fill the muffin tin in advance, then refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.

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Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potato Cups Recipe

Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potato Cups Recipe


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4.7 from 36 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Garlic parmesan mashed potato cups bring comfort straight from your kitchen’s heart, elevating classic mashed potatoes into crispy, irresistible bites. Each golden cup offers a creamy interior with a perfectly crunchy exterior you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 cups mashed potatoes (prepared)
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 large egg, beaten

Flavor Enhancers:

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh parsley, chopped

Seasonings:

  • 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) black pepper

Instructions

  1. Thoroughly blend mashed potatoes with grated Parmesan, finely chopped garlic, and melted butter in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring a smooth and consistent texture.
  2. Incorporate fresh parsley, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor profile, then introduce a whisked egg to bind the mixture and provide structural integrity.
  3. Meticulously coat the interior of a muffin tin with cooking spray or butter, preventing potential adherence of the potato cups during baking.
  4. Carefully distribute the potato mixture evenly across the muffin compartments, filling each to approximately three-quarters capacity to allow room for expansion and crispy edges.
  5. Generously crown each potato cup with a liberal sprinkle of shredded mozzarella, creating a golden, melted cheese topping.
  6. Transfer the prepared muffin tin into a preheated oven set at 400°F, allowing the potato cups to transform into crisp, bubbling delicacies over 20-25 minutes.
  7. Upon removing from the oven, permit the potato cups to rest momentarily, enabling them to set and achieve optimal structural stability before gently extracting from the tin.
  8. Serve immediately while warm, presenting these delectable individual potato cups as an impressive side dish or appetizer.

Notes

  • Customize texture by adjusting potato smoothness, using a ricer for extra creamy or mashing roughly for more rustic feel.
  • Enhance flavor profile by roasting garlic beforehand, which creates deeper, sweeter undertones compared to raw minced garlic.
  • Experiment with cheese variations like sharp cheddar or gruyère to provide different taste experiences while maintaining similar melting properties.
  • Make gluten-free by ensuring Parmesan and mozzarella are certified gluten-free, perfect for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Marcus Hale

Marcus Hale

Founder & Recipe Storyteller

Expertise

  • Demystifying knife work, sauce emulsification, and pastry basics.
  • Curating seasonal guides that adapt global recipes to local, in-season produce.
  • Crafting blog posts, videos, and social media tips.

Education

Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on global cuisine training emphasizes sustainable cooking and recipe development under accredited chefs.

Marcus grew up surrounded by maple trees, farm stands, and the smell of Sunday stew simmering on the stove. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from the HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he knew he didn’t want to work in fancy kitchens, he wanted to cook for real people.

At Whip Up Cook Up, Marcus is the guy turning memories into meals. His recipes are fast, full of flavor, and built for home cooks who want big taste without the drama.

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