Loaded Potato Nests with Cheese and Speck

Potato nests are made from seasoned mashed potatoes, piped into small nests and filled with cheese and speck. They’re built from mashed potatoes, piped into delicate swirls, and baked until they hold their shape like edible baskets. Once filled with melty cheese and smoky speck, they can be served during dinner parties and holidays.

What Are Potato Nests?

This dish is inspired by European-style potato sides, which transform mashed or grated potatoes into structured, oven-baked bites. The piping technique gives them their signature look and creates crispy edges with a tender middle. Think of them as simple mashed potatoes with comfort-food soul.

Pro Tips for Perfect Potato Nests

• Use floury potatoes, like russet or Maris Piper, for a fluffy mash that pipes easily and holds its shape.
• Let the boiled potatoes steam dry for a few minutes before mashing to avoid excess moisture.
• Pipe two overlapping circles to create a sturdy base and a natural hollow for the filling.
• Don’t overfill the nests, just enough cheese and speck keeps them balanced and prevents sogginess.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make potato nests ahead of time?

You can prepare and pipe the potato nests a few hours in advance, keep them covered in the fridge, and bake them just before serving for the best flavor. If needed, you can do the first bake, then add the filling and finish baking right before guests arrive. This makes them ideal for stress-free entertaining.

Why are my potato nests spreading in the oven?

This usually happens when the potato mixture is too warm or too loose. Let the mashed potatoes cool slightly before piping, and make sure they’re well mixed with the egg and cheese. Chilling the piped nests for 10 minutes before baking can help too.

Can I change the filling?

Absolutely, these nests are very flexible. You can swap speck for bacon, ham, or even sautéed mushrooms for a vegetarian option. Different cheeses like mozzarella, fontina, or gouda work beautifully as well. Just keep the filling fairly dry so the nests stay crisp.

Are potato nests best served hot or cold?

Potato nests are best enjoyed hot or warm, and as they cool, they firm up slightly but remain tasty. If needed, you can reheat them briefly in the oven and don’t microwave, as it softens the crisp edges.

How to Store Potato Nests

They can last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just reheat before serving, but avoid reheating multiple times, as the texture can become dense. Also, they’re best enjoyed fresh, but still very good the next day.

How to Make Potato Nests

Step 1

Step 1

Peel the potatoes and mash them in a bowl.

Place the potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Cook for about 30 minutes, until fork-tender, then drain.

Step 2

Step 2

Add the egg, melted butter, Parmesan, salt, and pepper, mixing with a spatula until creamy.

Peel the potatoes and mash them in a bowl.

Step 3

Step 3

Transfer the mixture to a piping bag and pipe two overlapping circles onto a parchment-lined baking tray, forming a small hollow in the center.

Add the egg, melted butter, Parmesan, salt, and pepper, mixing with a spatula until creamy.

Step 4

Step 4

Bake at 180°C/360°F for 20 minutes.

Transfer the mixture to a piping bag and pipe two overlapping circles onto a parchment-lined baking tray, forming a small hollow in the center.

Step 5

Step 5

Remove from the oven, and fill each nest with cheese and speck.

Bake at 180°C/360°F for 20 minutes.

Step 6

Step 6

Return the tray to the oven for 5 more minutes, just until the cheese melts.

Remove from the oven, and fill each nest with cheese and speck.

Step 7

Step 7

Arrange all the potato nests on a serving dish and serve immediately while hot, golden, and irresistible.

Return the tray to the oven for 5 more minutes, just until the cheese melts.

Step 8

Step 8

Arrange all the potato nests on a serving dish and serve immediately while hot, golden, and irresistible.