Potato Bacon Bites (Arby's Copycat)

 Arby's used to have a fabulous fried potato cake with bacon. It was crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.  These are pretty close to that when cooked in an air fryer! Measurements are approximate. Season to taste.

UPDATED: I discovered an easier way to get the flavor I crave...Potato Waffles! Find the new recipe below my original. Now there's 2 methods to get that creamy, salty, crispy goodness. 

Added: pan fried simple version

Bacon Potato Bites:

1 to 1 1/4 cups leftover mashed potatoes

handful bacon bits, or cooked bacon chopped

handful grated sharp cheddar cheese (any cheese is fine)

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp salt 

2 Tbsp flour

Breading:

egg

1 cup panko crumbs

pinch salt

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/2 cup parmesan cheese from the green can

Mix the dry breading ingredients in a bowl. Beat the egg in another bowl. Set both aside. Mix potato ingredients together in a bowl by hand. If the potatoes are room temp or warmer, cover the bowl & put in the fridge for an hour or so. Make large meatball size balls. Dip in beaten egg, then roll in panko breading and flatten to about 1" set on a cookie sheet. Lay patties out in air fryer basket. If your potatoes have a lot of butter & or cream, no need to spray with pan spray. If they don't have a lot of fat, spray. Flip and spray again.  Cook at 400° for 10 minutes. Flip over & cook another 5 minutes. Check often to make sure they aren't burning. They should be golden brown and crispy when done. 

UPDATED: Potato Waffles:

2 cups leftover mashed potatoes

1 egg

3/4 cup cheese, grated (choose something sharp or pungent for more flavor...feta, sharp cheddar, pepper jack, parmesan, blue cheese, etc)

1 1/2 tsp unflavored gelatin (optional...helps hold the waffle together)

1/2 cup bacon bits, diced ham, or sausage (optional)

Salt & pepper to taste

Other seasonings of your choice (optional....garlic, onion, Italian blend, Mrs. Dash, chili powder, cumin, tarragon, nutritional yeast, etc)

Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Heat a mini or regular waffle iron. Spread the mixture over the waffle plate and cook until dark brown, but not burnt. The waffle should come off the iron with very little resistance when it's been cooked enough. If it sticks cook longer. More mixture produces a thicker creamy waffle. Less mixture produces more crunch. I prefer the mini waffle iron. 

PAN FRIED SIMPLE VERSION:

2 cups leftover mashed potatoes

2 eggs

1 cup bacon bits

6 or 8 Tbsp gluten free flour

1 Tbsp garlic powder

1/2 cup grated cheese

bacon grease

Mix all wet ingredients together. Add enough flour to make a soft dough that just holds together, about the consistency of a soft cookie dough. Use a cookie scoop to portion into hot grease, flatten slightly. Cook over medium heat about 5 minutes each side, or until they're golden brown and crispy on the outside.