A croquette is a small, breaded, and deep-fried food item that is typically filled with mashed potatoes, meat, fish, or vegetables. They are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Here’s a basic recipe for Potato Croquettes, which are one of the most common types.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mashed potatoes (preferably made from scratch, not instant)
- 1/2 cup grated cheese (optional, such as cheddar or Parmesan)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped ham, cooked chicken, or ground meat (optional)
- 1 egg (plus 1 additional egg for coating)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (for the mixture)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (for coating)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil works well)
Instructions:
- Prepare the filling:
- If you don’t already have mashed potatoes, make them first. You can use leftover mashed potatoes or make a fresh batch by boiling peeled and chopped potatoes until tender, then mashing them with butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Let the mashed potatoes cool to room temperature.
- Once cooled, add grated cheese (optional), any cooked meat (such as ham or ground meat), and breadcrumbs. Mix everything well.
- Add one egg and season with salt and pepper. Mix to combine until the mixture is thick and holds together.
- Form the croquettes:
- With your hands, take a small portion of the potato mixture (about 1-2 tablespoons) and roll it into a ball or oval shape. Repeat for the remaining mixture.
- Coat the croquettes:
- In one shallow bowl, place the flour. In another, beat the second egg. In a third shallow bowl, place the breadcrumbs.
- Roll each croquette first in flour to coat it lightly, then dip it in the beaten egg, and finally coat it in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks. Repeat for all croquettes.
- Fry the croquettes:
- Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. The oil should be about 2-3 inches deep. Test the oil temperature by dropping in a small piece of bread; it should sizzle immediately.
- Carefully lower the croquettes into the hot oil, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Fry them for about 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until they’re golden brown and crispy on all sides.
- Remove the croquettes from the oil and drain them on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Serve:
- Serve the croquettes hot as an appetizer, snack, or side dish. They pair well with dipping sauces like ketchup, mayonnaise, or a mustard-based sauce.
Enjoy your crispy, golden croquettes!
