Delicious Oil-Free Potato Puffs with Peanut Sauce are a light, flavorful snack or appetizer crafted from wholesome ingredients. Made with unseasoned cold mashed potatoes, diced brown onions, fresh basil, parsley, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and a hint of black pepper, these puffs are baked instead of fried, making them a healthier and oil-free alternative. The potato mixture is formed into fluffy bites that are golden and crispy on the outside yet soft and tender on the inside. Paired with a creamy, protein-packed peanut sauce, the combination offers a satisfying balance of hearty textures and bold flavours.
Health Benefits:
These potato puffs are as nutritious as they are delicious. The mashed potatoes provide a good source of complex carbohydrates, which supply your body with sustained energy throughout the day. The addition of fresh herbs like basil and parsley not only adds a burst of flavour but also provides antioxidants, vitamins (like vitamins K and C), and anti-inflammatory properties to support a healthy immune system. Diced onions and garlic powder are rich in compounds that promote heart health and boost immunity.
Nutritional yeast, a key ingredient, is packed with B vitamins, including vitamin B12 in fortified versions, making it a fantastic addition for anyone following a plant-based diet. It also contributes a cheesy, umami flavour without the need for dairy. The peanut sauce adds a creamy and rich component to the dish, contributing healthy fats, plant-based protein, and vital nutrients like magnesium and vitamin E, which support brain and heart health.
By being oil-free and baked, these potato puffs are lower in fat and calories compared to traditional fried snacks, making them a guilt-free option for those watching their waistlines or prioritizing heart-healthy eating. Versatile, flavorful, and loaded with essential nutrients, this dish offers the perfect blend of indulgence and nutrition.

Delicious Oil Free Potato Puffs with Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
Puffs
- 2-3 cups cold mashed potatoes unseasoned
- ½ brown onion diced
- 1 tsp fresh basil
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp fresh parsley
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Peanut Sauce
- ⅓ cup no salt peanut butter
- 2½ tbsp lime juice
- 1½ tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tsp sweet chilli sauce
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- water to thin if needed
Instructions
Puffs
- Prepare mashed potatoes ahead of time and allow them to chill. I placed it in the freezer for 15 minutes, forking through at 10 minutes.
- Dry-fry the onion in a small amount of water or vegetable stock until caramelised.
- Mix all ingredients well.
- Mould the mix into ping-pong ball-sized and place them on a single layer in the air fryer.
- Air fry for 20 minutes at 200°C
Peanut Sauce
- Add all ingredients together in a small bowl and whisk with a fork.
- Add water as needed if it is too thick.
- Be sure not to make it too firm to dip your puffs into, or you will lose the potato in the sauce, which is never favourable :).