1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine your mashed potatoes, shredded cheese, flour, egg, green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything gently but thoroughly until the mixture is uniform. It should be sticky but hold its shape when scooped.
3. Using a spoon or your hands, scoop out small portions—about 1 to 1.5 tablespoons each—and roll them into balls. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. If you want, brush the tops lightly with melted butter for extra golden color and richness.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the puffs are golden brown on the outside and slightly crispy. You can flip them halfway through baking for even crispiness, but it’s not mandatory.
5. Remove from the oven and let the puffs cool for 5 minutes before serving. This step helps them set up and prevents any cheese burn mishaps (learned that the hard way on a busy Tuesday!).

One thing I always remind myself is to keep an eye on the oven because every oven is different. When my kids were little, I’d often get distracted by their never-ending questions or spills, so a timer was my best friend. Also, don’t skip the cooling step—it’s tempting to dive right in, but those puffs need a moment to firm up so they don’t fall apart.