Balls made of leftover

Making balls out of leftovers is a fun and tasty way to reduce food waste and create something entirely new! Here are a few flexible and easy ideas for making leftover balls, depending on what you have on hand — great for pan-frying, baking, or air frying.

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🔄 Basic Formula for Leftover Balls

Leftovers + Binder + Flavor + Optional Coating = Delicious Balls

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🍗 Example 1: Leftover Chicken or Turkey Balls

Ingredients:

• 1–2 cups cooked chicken or turkey, shredded or chopped

• ½ cup mashed potatoes or cooked rice (as a binder)

• 1 egg (optional, helps it stick)

• ¼ cup cheese (grated, optional)

• Herbs/spices: garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, salt, pepper

• Optional: breadcrumbs for coating

Instructions:

1. Mix everything in a bowl. If too wet, add breadcrumbs. If too dry, add a splash of broth or another egg.

2. Roll into golf-ball sized rounds.

3. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 min, pan-fry until golden, or air fry for 10–12 min.

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🥔 Example 2: Mashed Potato & Veggie Balls

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups leftover mashed potatoes

• ½ cup finely chopped cooked vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, broccoli, etc.)

• ½ cup grated cheese

• Salt, pepper, and herbs to taste

• Optional: breadcrumbs and egg for binding and coating

Instructions:

1. Combine ingredients and roll into balls.

2. Optional: roll in breadcrumbs for a crispy shell.

3. Bake, air fry, or pan-fry until golden.

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🍚 Example 3: Leftover Rice Balls (Arancini-Style)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice

• 1 egg

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan

• Optional: small cubes of mozzarella in the center

• Optional: breadcrumbs for coating

Instructions:

1. Mix rice, egg, and cheese.

2. Form into balls, place a small cube of cheese inside if using.

3. Roll in breadcrumbs.

4. Fry or air fry until golden and crisp.

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🌱 Example 4: Leftover Lentils or Beans

Ingredients:

• 1–2 cups cooked lentils or mashed beans

• ½ cup cooked grains (rice, quinoa, bulgur)

• 1 egg or flax egg (optional)

• Seasonings: cumin, coriander, garlic, chili flakes

• Optional: chopped herbs or veggies

Instructions:

1. Mash and mix everything together. Add breadcrumbs if needed.

2. Form into balls and bake or fry.

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🪄 Pro Tips:

• Stickiness test: If the mix doesn’t hold, add breadcrumbs or egg.

• Freezer-friendly: Freeze raw balls on a tray, then store in a bag for quick meals.

• Serve with: Dips (yogurt, ranch, sriracha mayo), salad, or in wraps.