Potato Puffins (Print Version)

Ingredients:

01 - 3 cups firm mashed potatoes, cold.
02 - 5.4 oz garlic and herb soft cheese (e.g., Alouette or Boursin).
03 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese, divided.
04 - 3 large eggs, beaten.
05 - 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese.
06 - 2 Tbsp chopped chives, divided.
07 - 1 tsp garlic salt.
08 - 1/2 tsp black pepper.
09 - 8 oz sour cream or crème fraîche.

Instructions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the cold mashed potatoes, garlic and herb cheese, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, beaten eggs, Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon of chopped chives, garlic salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until the cheese is evenly distributed and all ingredients are well combined.
03 - Liberally brush the cups of a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or melted butter to prevent sticking.
04 - Use a 4 oz ice cream scoop to evenly divide the potato mixture between the muffin cups, filling each cup almost to the top.
05 - Sprinkle the tops of the puffins with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese for a cheesy crust.
06 - Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 23-25 minutes, or until the puffins are set and the tops are golden brown.
07 - Once baked, run a knife around the edges of each puffin to loosen them from the tin. Serve immediately, either plain or with a dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche, and garnish with the remaining chopped chives.

Notes:

01 - Enjoy these delightful Garlic Chive Mashed Potato Puffins as a perfect side dish or snack. They're fluffy, cheesy, and full of savory goodness.