Introduction

These loaded mashed potato egg rolls are a crispy, flavorful appetizer filled with creamy mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions. They’re a fantastic way to transform leftover mashed potatoes into a crowd-pleasing snack or side dish.

The image shows a close-up of a golden brown fried croquette that is broken open to reveal a runny bright yellow yolk and creamy white filling inside. The croquette layers include a crispy, coarse-textured outer shell, a soft white cheese or cream layer in the middle, and the rich gooey egg yolk at the center. The croquettes are stacked on a white plate on a white marbled surface with small green herb pieces sprinkled around. A woman's hand is holding the broken croquette to clearly show the inside. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups cold leftover mashed potatoes
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 green onions, thinly sliced (divided)
1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
20–22 egg roll wrappers
Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine cold mashed potatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and most of the sliced green onions, reserving some for garnish. Mix until everything is well combined.
Step 2: Lay one egg roll wrapper on a clean surface in a diamond shape with one corner pointing toward you.
Step 3: Spoon about 1/4 cup of the filling into the center of the wrapper, being careful not to overfill.
Step 4: Fold the bottom corner over the filling, then fold in the left and right corners. Roll tightly toward the top corner, brushing the final edge with beaten egg wash to seal. Place the sealed egg roll seam-side down and repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
Step 5: Heat about 2 inches of oil in a skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 6: Fry the egg rolls in batches of 5 to 6, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides, about 3 to 4 minutes per batch. Avoid crowding the pan.
Step 7: Remove the egg rolls with a slotted spoon and let them drain on a wire rack.
Step 8: Garnish with the reserved green onions and serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.

Tips & Variations

Use cold leftover mashed potatoes as they are firmer and hold their shape better inside the wrappers.
Keep the oil temperature at 350°F to ensure even cooking—too hot will burn the outside while leaving the inside cold, too cool will make them greasy.
For an air fryer option, preheat to 375°F (190°C), spray egg rolls with cooking spray, and air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
To bake instead, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), spray egg rolls with cooking spray, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway; note they won’t be as crispy as fried.
Freeze assembled but uncooked egg rolls for 30 minutes before frying for extra crispiness.

Storage

Store any leftover cooked egg rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or until heated through to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make them soggy.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of a crispy golden-brown fried snack with a crunchy texture on the outside. It is cut open to reveal a creamy white inside with a soft cooked egg yolk that is warm and slightly runny, flowing out gently. Small green herbs are sprinkled on top of the snack, adding a fresh touch of color. The snacks are placed on a white marbled surface, and a woman's hand is holding the open piece to show the inside clearly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh mashed potatoes instead of leftover?

It’s best to use cold leftover mashed potatoes because fresh ones tend to be softer and wetter, which can make the egg rolls difficult to roll and cause them to fall apart during frying.

What dipping sauces pair well with loaded mashed potato egg rolls?

These egg rolls are delicious with ranch dressing, sour cream, spicy ketchup, or even a tangy barbecue sauce. Experiment to find your favorite!