Thanksgiving is all about gratitude and food. It’s a wonderful combination of the good things in life. I have a lot of favorite recipes but I also love trying new recipes. This year I decided to make Mashed Potato Bites for a fun appetizer take on one of my favorite side dishes!
This post is sponsored by Pioneer Brand.
EASY MASHED POTATO BITES
I was inspired to try out the potato bites recipe inspired by Pioneer Brand’s Country Mashed Potato Bites recipe. I am a huge mashed potato fan, especially around the holidays. Mashed potatoes are my favorite classic side dish so it only made sense that these baked potato bites would be something I enjoyed!
I’m pretty sure I’m open to trying all of the potato appetizers I can find during the holiday season!
In the past I’ve seen recipes that use leftover mashed potatoes to make mashed potato bites, but to serve them as an appetizer, I knew there had to be an alternative.
This recipe uses Pioneer Country Gravy Mix and Instant Mashed Potatoes as the base for these tasty baked hors d’oeuvres!
Pioneer Brand products have been around since 1851 and there is Texas family heritage in every package! Pioneer promises that we get scratch-made quality that is ready for our personal touch.
I love how easy it is to prepare Pioneer Brand Gravy and have used it on top of my mashed potatoes many times in the past. Pioneer has been the leader in gravy since 1851 and the flavor is one you can count on.
It’s also inexpensive and available in stores nationwide (including Walmart, HEB, and other grocery retailers). Plus, you can use Pioneer Brand gravy mixes for more than just gravy. Try using it in your casseroles, stuffing, soups, sauces, and more.
Try making mashed potato bites!
Pioneer Gravy Mix helps simplify homecooked favorites. You can save time without sacrificing rich and flavorful taste.
HOW TO MAKE MASHED POTATO BITES
It takes about 15 minutes to prep this recipe and then 15 minutes to bake. In about 30 minutes you’ll have 20 mashed potato bites, so it’s a great recipe to make for entertaining. But if you’re keeping things smaller this year, it’s also a great recipe for small meals.
To make these potatoes, you’ll need a very simple list of ingredients, including:
- Pioneer Country Gravy Mix
- Instant Mashed Potatoes
- Water
- Egg Yolks
- Cheddar Cheese
- Bacon Bits
- Chives
The exact measurements for each ingredient are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
To get started, heat the oven to 400°F.
Prepare the Pioneer Country Gravy Mix according to the instructions on the back of the package. You will need 2 cups of water and 3/4 cup gravy mix.
Once the gravy is ready, fold the instant mashed potatoes into the gravy until they are evenly combined.
Allow the potato mixture to cool for 5 minutes.
Separate your eggs and add the egg yolks one at a time to the mixture. You want to make sure the first egg yolk is fully incorporated into the mixture before adding the second egg.
Then fold the shredded cheddar cheese into the potatoes.
Put the potato mixture into a large piping bag with a star tip and pipe 1-inch stars onto a prepared baking sheet (grease with non-stick cooking spray or use parchment paper). Space each star about a ½ inch apart.
If you don’t have a piping bag, you can also use a zipper bag with a corner trimmed off. You won’t get the star shape but it will still work to pipe the potatoes onto the baking sheet.
Bake mashed potato bites for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove from the oven and garnish with bacon bits and chives while the potatoes are still warm.
Mashed Potato Bites
Ingredients
- 1 package Pioneer Country Gravy Mix
- 2 cups Water
- 1½ cups Instant Mashed Potatoes
- 2 Egg Yolks
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 1 cup Bacon bits
- 1 bunch Chives thinly sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Using the water, prepare Pioneer Country Gravy Mix in a large saucepan according to the instructions on the package.
- Add the instant mashed potatoes and fold together until evenly combined. Allow the potato mixture to cool for about 5 minutes (or until 140°F).
- Separate the egg yolks. Then add them one at a time, waiting until each egg is incorporated into the potatoes.
- Next, fold in the cheddar cheese.
- Transfer the potato mixture to a large piping bag fitted with a ½ -inch star piping tip and pipe 1-inch stars onto to a prepared baking sheet, spacing them about ½ -inch apart.(If you do not have a piping bag, you can use a zippered bag with a corner trimmed off to pipe the potatoes.)
- Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove the mashed potato bites from the oven and garnish the warm potatoes with bacon bites and chives.
SECRETS FOR PERFECT GRAVY
If you’re worried about making your gravy just right, have no fear! Pioneer’s Head Research & Development Chef Brian Mannett shared tips for making the perfect gravy!
- Bring to a boil. To get a nice, thick gravy, make sure that your water is at a full, rolling boil so that the starches in the gravy mixes are activated.
- Mix before adding. When you’re adding the gravy mix to the boiling water, consider mixing it first with a minimal amount of water. This will help you get a smoother transfer. Adding the dry mix straight to the boiling water can lead to lumps in the gravy.
Pioneer Brand products are a perfect addition to the holiday season. Find a store near you and stock up on everything you need to get you through this busy time of the year!
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