There's something magical about the combination of cheese and potatoes that makes my heart sing. Today, I'm excited to share a recipe that's close to my heart - Cheesy Potato Sticks.
This simple yet delicious dish has been my go-to comfort food for years. It's easy to make, requiring just a few ingredients, and the result is always satisfyingly cheesy goodness and irresistibly crunchy.
Jump to:
Why This Recipe Works
- Super Cheesy and Crunchy: These potato sticks are super cheesy and crunchy, and are actually pretty easy to make too.
- Quick and Convenient: You can put them together super quick, and also make them ahead of time and store them for weeks until you're ready to fry them.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: This cheesy potato sticks recipe is actually perfect to make and store for all those occasions when you have guests coming over, or just for those times when you're craving for something cheesy and flavorful that's homemade.
📋 Ingredients
- Potatoes (Golden or Russet Potatoes): The base of the cheesy delight, providing a hearty, starchy texture.
- Corn Starch: Helps to make the potato sticks crispy on the outside when fried or baked.
- Shredded Cheese (Gouda or any kind): Adding melted cheese to the potato sticks gives them a tasty, creamy, and gooey twist!
- Salt: Enhances the flavors of the potatoes and cheese, making them more pronounced.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Potato & Base Alternatives: Experiment with sweet potatoes for a naturally sweeter twist, or try using Yukon Gold potatoes for a creamier interior. You can also blend in a small portion of parsnips for extra depth.
- Cheese & Seasoning Enhancements: Mix different cheeses like sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack to vary the flavor. Boost the taste with seasonings such as garlic powder, smoked paprika, or fresh herbs like chives or parsley for an extra flavor kick.
- Coating & Serving Options: For added crunch, roll the sticks in panko breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes before baking. Serve with a side of ranch, chipotle mayo, or a spicy ketchup for dipping to elevate your snack experience.
🔪How To Make Potato Sticks With Cheese?
Step One: Start by bringing a pot of water to a boil. Peel and wash your potatoes. Medium dice your potatoes.
Step Two: Cook the potatoes in boiling water for about 12-15 minutes, or until fully cooked. Remove them from the pot and let them drain until all water is drained. Then mash your potatoes by pushing them through a strainer.
Step Three: Add the cornstarch, cheese, and a pinch of salt to the mashed potatoes and mix until well combined.
Step Four: Put the mashed potatoes in a ziplock bag or on a parchment-lined baking sheet (so they won't stick with the parchment paper surface). Flatten them with a rolling pin, then keep them in the freezer for about an hour.
Step Five: Carefully cut open the ziplock bag (I used zip log bag) to keep the mashed potatoes intact. Cut your sticks by cutting them in half first, and then smaller sticks. Heat vegetable or olive oil in a pan and wait until it has reached 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step Six: Once your oil is hot, fry your potato cheese sticks in batches for about 2-3 minutes. Transfer these cheesy potato sticks on a plate with kitchen towel, so it will absorb most oil. Serve while hot with your favorite dip sauce.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Choosing the Right Binding Agent: I've used cornflour as the binding agent for these crispy sticks, but if you don't have it, you can use potato starch as an alternative.
- Seasoning Options: You can also choose to season the mixture for the potato snack with some red pepper flakes, crushed black pepper, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, or even some cayenne pepper if you want to bring in a bit of extra flavor. Garlic powder or stock powder can also be a great addition to the mixture.
- Preparing the Potatoes: Remember to drain the potatoes well after they have been boiled, and then proceed to mash them. Getting rid of the excess moisture will ensure that the mixture has the perfect texture and consistency.
- Choosing the Cheese: I've used Gouda cheese for this recipe, but you can use any other cheese of your choice. I would recommend using pepper jack,cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese for different experiments.
💭 FAQs
To make the potato cheese sticks more crispy, you can add rice flour into the mixture instead of corn flour. Another great idea is to Air Fry the sticks instead of deep frying them.
Yes, you totally can! You can prepare the mixture for these cheese potato sticks weeks in advance (up to step 5), and then freeze them until you’re ready to fry and serve them. Just remember to use a freezer-safe container to store them. This will help prevent freezer burn.
The best way to store this potato cheese snack is to transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it. You can store the leftover potato sticks for 2-3 days.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite side dishes to serve with Cheesy Potato Sticks:
- Serve them hot with a side of sour cream and chives for a classic dip.
- Pair as a side to burgers or sandwiches to add a cheesy, crispy element.
- Enjoy them as a snack with a tangy salsa or guacamole dip for an extra flavor kick.
🍜 Related Recipes
Did you make this recipe? Leave a review and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below, or tag us in our Facebook Group! Alternatively, bookmark it in your browser or save to Pinterest.
Homemade Cheesy Potato Sticks
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Potatoes Russet or golden potatoes
- ½ cup Cornstarch
- ½ cup Shredded Cheese I used Gouda, but you can use any kind
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Start by bringing a pot of water to a boil. Peel and wash your potatoes. Medium dice your potatoes.
- Cook the potatoes in boiling water for about 12-15 minutes, or until fully cooked. Remove them from the pot and let them drain until all water is drained. Then mash your potatoes by pushing them through a strainer.
- Add the cornstarch, cheese, and a pinch of salt to the mashed potatoes and mix until well combined.
- Put the mashed potatoes in a ziplock bag or on a parchment-lined baking sheet (so they won’t stick with the parchment paper surface). Flatten them with a rolling pin, then keep them in the freezer for about an hour.
- Carefully cut open the ziplock bag (I used zip log bag) to keep the mashed potatoes intact. Cut your sticks by cutting them in half first, and then smaller sticks.
- Heat vegetable or olive oil in a pan and wait until it has reached 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Once your oil is hot, fry your potato cheese sticks in batches for about 2-3 minutes. Make sure your pan is not too crowded.
- Transfer these cheesy potato sticks on a plate with kitchen towel, so it will absorb most oil. Serve while hot with your favorite dip sauce.
Leave a reply