If you’re craving a fun, comforting dish that combines crispy textures with rich, hearty flavors, then this Deep-Fried Mashed Potato Cups Filled With BBQ Beef And Cheese Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine crispy golden mashed potato shells, each lovingly crafted into a cup, bursting with smoky BBQ ground beef, tender grilled zucchini, and ooey-gooey melted Swiss cheese. It’s the kind of recipe that transforms humble ingredients into a truly memorable experience, perfect for sharing with friends or simply indulging yourself in a cozy, satisfying bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Deep-Fried Mashed Potato Cups Filled With BBQ Beef And Cheese Recipe relies on simple, wholesome ingredients that come together beautifully to create a balance of creamy, crispy, smoky, and cheesy notes. Each component plays a key role in delivering the texture and flavor that makes this dish so irresistible.
- Potatoes: The foundation for the mashed potato cups, delivering creamy body and structure.
- Egg yolks: Added to the mash to enrich flavor and help bind the mixture.
- Salt and nutmeg: Essential seasonings that elevate the taste of mashed potatoes.
- Water and butter: Combined and cooked to prepare the dough that forms the shells’ elasticity.
- Flour: Used both in the dough and breading for structure and crispness.
- Whole egg: Incorporated into dough for moisture and binding.
- Whisked egg, flour, and bread crumbs: Used for the breading process to give the potatoes that golden exterior.
- Ground beef: The hearty filling’s star, providing savory, meaty richness.
- Paprika: Adds a warm, smoky spice to the BBQ beef.
- BBQ sauce: Brings tang, sweetness, and depth to the beef filling.
- Zucchini: Sliced and grilled to add fresh, tender veggies for balance.
- Swiss cheese: Melted to create gooey, creamy layers inside each cup.
- Fresh herbs: Garnish that brightens and adds a punch of freshness.
How to Make Deep-Fried Mashed Potato Cups Filled With BBQ Beef And Cheese Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Mashed Potatoes
Start by peeling and boiling the potatoes in salted water until perfectly tender; this ensures a smooth, creamy base. Drain and mash them until silky, then stir in the egg yolks and season thoughtfully with salt and nutmeg. These little touches lift the flavor and richness, making the mashed potatoes truly special.
Step 2: Make the Potato Dough
In a separate pot, gently heat butter and water until they come to a light boil, then add a pinch of salt. Slowly whisk in flour, stirring constantly until it forms a small dough ball. This technique creates a sturdy yet tender dough that when combined with the mashed potatoes, will hold the cup shape beautifully. Transfer to a cool bowl and mix in one whole egg for extra binding power.
Step 3: Shape the Mashed Potato Cups
Transfer your mashed potato-dough mixture into a piping bag and grab a glass to use as a mold. Flip it upside down on a lazy Susan for easy rotation, and pipe the potato spiraling upward around the base to create 4 individual cups. This method gives you perfect, uniform shapes. Freeze them solid for at least 2 to 3 hours to prepare for frying.
Step 4: Bread the Cups
Once frozen solid, carefully remove the glass molds to reveal your empty potato cups. Set up breading stations with bowls of flour, whisked egg, and bread crumbs. Gently coat each cup by rolling first in flour, then dipping in egg wash, and finally covering in bread crumbs. Return the breaded cups to the freezer for another 30 minutes to firm up before frying.
Step 5: Fry to Golden Perfection
Bring your oil temperature up to around 350°F. Fry the potato cups for about 5 to 6 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown and are crisp outside while staying tender within. This frying step is key for achieving that irresistible crunch and makes the mashed potato cups a delight to bite into.
Step 6: Prepare the Delicious Filling
While the cups fry, brown the ground beef and season it well with paprika for a smoky aroma. Stir in the BBQ sauce to coat the beef with rich, tangy flavor. Grill zucchini slices until tender and lightly charred. Melt the Swiss cheese slowly so it becomes perfectly gooey. Once the cups are fried and cooled slightly, fill them by layering the BBQ beef, grilled zucchini, and melted Swiss cheese. Finish off by garnishing with fresh herbs for a pop of color and brightness.
How to Serve Deep-Fried Mashed Potato Cups Filled With BBQ Beef And Cheese Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs such as parsley or chives are a wonderful garnish here, lending bright, herbal notes that cut through the richness. A light sprinkle of smoked paprika also adds visual appeal and increases the depth of smoky flavor to complement the BBQ beef.
Side Dishes
Pair these potato cups with a crisp green salad or coleslaw to balance the indulgence. A light cucumber or tomato salad would also pair beautifully, offering refreshing crunch and acidity that complement the creamy and savory cups.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these cups on a rustic wooden board or individual small plates with dipping sauces like a cooled ranch dressing or spicy aioli on the side. For a party, arrange them in a circle with fresh herb sprigs to create an eye-catching centerpiece. You can even skewer mini forks through each cup for easy sharing and serving.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover potato cups can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. To preserve the crisp exterior, it’s best to reheat them in an oven or air fryer rather than the microwave.
Freezing
You can freeze the assembled but unfried potato cups for up to one month. Make sure to freeze them individually on a tray before transferring them to a larger container or freezer bag. This way, you can enjoy fresh-tasting fried cups anytime you want without compromising texture.
Reheating
Reheat the leftover or frozen cups in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10 to 15 minutes until heated through and crispy. An air fryer also works wonderfully to revive that crunch without drying the filling inside.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese instead of Swiss?
Absolutely! While Swiss cheese melts beautifully and offers a mild nuttiness, feel free to experiment with cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack for different flavor profiles and textures. Just pick a cheese that melts well to keep the filling creamy.
Is it necessary to freeze the potato cups before frying?
Yes, freezing helps the cups hold their shape during frying so they don’t collapse or lose that crispy shell. It also firms up the breading to create that perfect golden crust.
Can I make these vegan or vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, swap out the beef for a seasoned plant-based crumble or finely chopped mushrooms sautéed with BBQ sauce. For vegan adaptations, use vegan butter, egg substitutes, and dairy-free cheese alternatives. The process remains largely the same.
How spicy is this Deep-Fried Mashed Potato Cups Filled With BBQ Beef And Cheese Recipe?
The recipe isn’t inherently spicy, but you can adjust the paprika level or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the beef filling to suit your heat preference. The BBQ sauce you select will also influence the overall spice and sweetness.
What’s the best oil for frying these potato cups?
Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil to ensure they fry crisp without absorbing extra flavors or burning.
Final Thoughts
This Deep-Fried Mashed Potato Cups Filled With BBQ Beef And Cheese Recipe truly brings together the best of comfort food with an exciting twist. Each bite delivers crunchy, creamy, smoky, and cheesy sensations that will have everyone asking for more. Whether you’re serving these at a casual dinner or as stunning appetizers for a party, they promise an unforgettable experience. Trust me, once you try making these, they will become an instant favorite in your recipe collection!
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Deep-Fried Mashed Potato Cups Filled With BBQ Beef And Cheese Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Crispy deep-fried mashed potato cups filled with savory BBQ ground beef, grilled zucchini, and melted Swiss cheese, garnished with fresh herbs—an irresistible appetizer or hearty snack with a perfect balance of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Mashed Potato Cups
- 1 lb potatoes, peeled and boiled
- 2 egg yolks
- Salt & nutmeg to taste
- 0.5 cup water
- 0.25 stick butter (about 2 tablespoons)
- 0.5 cup flour
- 1 egg (for dough)
Breading
- Flour, for dredging
- 1 egg, whisked (for breading)
- Bread crumbs, for coating
- Cooking oil (for frying, enough to fill pot)
Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- Paprika to taste
- 0.5 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 16 oz block Swiss cheese, melted
- Fresh herbs for garnish (such as parsley or chives)
Instructions
- Preparation: Peel and boil the potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain well, then mash them until smooth. Stir in the egg yolks, and season the mashed potatoes with salt and a pinch of nutmeg to taste.
- Dough Preparation: In a separate pot, heat the butter and water over medium heat until it gently boils. Add a pinch of salt. Gradually add the flour into the butter-water mixture, stirring continuously until a small ball of dough forms. Transfer this dough to a room-temperature bowl and stir in one egg until fully combined. Add this dough mixture into the mashed potatoes and stir thoroughly to create a firm and cohesive potato dough.
- Forming Cups: Transfer the mashed potato mixture into a piping bag. Using an inverted glass placed on a lazy Susan, pipe the mixture onto the glass mold while slowly rotating the lazy Susan to spiral the potato all the way up to form the base and sides of the cup. Repeat to form four cups in total. Freeze these cups for at least 2–3 hours until solid.
- Breading and Freezing: Once frozen, carefully remove the glass molds from the potato cups. Set up a breading station with separate bowls for flour, whisked egg, and bread crumbs. Roll each cup first in flour, then dredge in the whisked egg, and coat thoroughly with bread crumbs. Place the breaded cups back in the freezer and freeze for an additional 30 minutes to firm up before frying.
- Frying: Heat cooking oil in a deep pot to about 350°F (175°C). Fry the breaded mashed potato cups carefully in the hot oil for 5–6 minutes or until they turn a deep golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Preparing the Filling: In a pan, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Season with paprika to taste and stir in the BBQ sauce. In a grilling pan, grill the zucchini slices until tender and slightly charred. Melt the Swiss cheese gently in a separate pot over low heat.
- Assembling Cups: Fill each fried potato cup by layering the BBQ ground beef, grilled zucchini slices, and melted Swiss cheese until the cup is full. Garnish the tops with fresh herbs to add a burst of color and flavor.
Notes
- Freezing the potato cups twice (before and after breading) helps maintain their shape during frying.
- Make sure the oil temperature stays consistent to avoid greasy cups.
- Swiss cheese melts best when gently warmed; avoid high heat to prevent burning.
- You can substitute BBQ sauce with your favorite spicy or tangy sauce to vary the flavor.
- Fresh herbs such as parsley, chives, or thyme work well for garnishing.
