Air Fryer Croquettes: Can You Make Them?

can you cook croquettes in an air fryer

You can cook croquettes in an air fryer! In fact, it's a great way to make this dish. Air fryers are healthier than deep-frying, and they produce croquettes that are crispy on the outside and fluffy and creamy on the inside. You can make croquettes with mashed potatoes, or add fillings such as ham, cheese, or salmon. The key to getting the perfect croquette is to make sure the mashed potatoes are cold before shaping them, and to chill the shaped croquettes before cooking. This helps the coating set and can prevent bursting during cooking. You can also add extra ingredients, spices, and cheese to your croquettes.

Characteristics Values
Type of croquette Potato, ham and cheese, salmon
Temperature 180°C/350°F, 390°F, 375°F, 400ºF
Time 4-7 minutes, 8-10 minutes, 15 minutes, 15-18 minutes
Colour Golden brown
Texture Crispy, crunchy
Oil Cooking spray, olive oil spray, avocado oil spray
Breadcrumbs Panko, gluten-free, almond meal
Dipping sauce Ketchup, aioli, marinara sauce, mayonnaise, yoghurt
Storage Refrigerate in an airtight container for 2-4 days
Reheating Preheat air fryer to 160°C/365°F, cook for 5-7 minutes

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Potato croquettes in an air fryer

Ingredients

  • Starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds
  • Butter
  • Cheese
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Flour
  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Nutmeg
  • Ham

Optional Ingredients

  • Parsley
  • Garlic powder
  • Green onions
  • Cilantro
  • Sage
  • Oregano
  • Onion powder
  • Minced olives
  • Cheddar cheese cubes
  • Bacon bits
  • Sausage
  • Chorizo sausage
  • Salmon
  • Tuna

Method

First, bake the potatoes in the air fryer at 400°F for 45-60 minutes. Pierce the potatoes with a fork before baking to ensure they are tender. Then, mash the potatoes and mix in the butter and cheese. Form the mixture into a disk, add a cube of cheddar cheese to the centre, and form into a ball. Next, roll the ball in flour, dip it in a bowl of whisked egg, and roll in breadcrumbs. Chill the croquettes for 20-30 minutes. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F and spray the basket with cooking spray. Place the croquettes in a single layer in the basket and spray them with oil. Air fry for 4-7 minutes or until golden brown.

Tips

  • If you want to add meat, vegetables, or cheese to the mixture, cook the ingredients before mixing them in.
  • For extra crunch, use panko breadcrumbs.
  • Serve with ketchup, sour cream, garlic aioli, marinara sauce, mayonnaise, or yoghurt sauce.
  • If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

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Ham and cheese croquettes in an air fryer

Ingredients

  • Ham
  • Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, fontina, gruyere, or any other good melting cheese)
  • Breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
  • Vegetable oil spray
  • Butter
  • Flour
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Milk
  • Nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper
  • Parsley
  • Garlic powder
  • Eggs

Method

  • Make the filling by creating a roux with butter and flour. Mix in mashed potatoes, milk, nutmeg, and salt and pepper, and half of the ham.
  • Shape the mixture into croquettes. Roll 1 heaping tablespoon of the potato mixture into a log shape.
  • Bread the logs by dipping them into breadcrumbs, then egg, and then more breadcrumbs.
  • Spritz the croquettes generously with cooking spray.
  • Chill the croquettes thoroughly to help them firm up and keep their shape while they cook. 10 minutes in the freezer should do the trick!
  • Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF.
  • Arrange the croquettes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. Cook in batches if necessary.
  • Air fry for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. If cooking from frozen, add 2-3 minutes to the cook time.
  • Serve immediately, topped with finely grated Manchego cheese.

Tips

  • For extra crunch, use panko breadcrumbs.
  • To ensure a perfectly even golden brown exterior, allow enough space in between the croquettes.
  • You can store leftover croquettes in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat them in the air fryer.
  • You can also make these ahead of time and freeze them. They will keep in the freezer for about 6 months.
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Salmon croquettes in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook croquettes in an air fryer! In fact, cooking croquettes in an air fryer is a great alternative to deep frying them.

Air fryer salmon croquettes are a delicious and easy-to-make snack or side dish. They are also a great way to use up leftover salmon or mashed potatoes. The ingredients include canned salmon, potatoes, and spices.

Step 1: Prepare the Potato Mixture

  • Peel, boil, and mash one large potato. Set it aside to cool completely.
  • Make sure the potato is fully mashed and cooled before adding it to the salmon mixture. Hot potatoes will make the mix too loose.

Step 2: Create the Salmon Mixture

  • In a large bowl, add the canned or leftover salmon, mashed potato, and your desired mix-ins. Some popular mix-in options include:
  • Peas
  • Green onions
  • Red pepper
  • Lemon juice and zest
  • Mustard
  • Mayonnaise
  • Eggs
  • Parsley
  • Dill
  • Salt and pepper
  • Mix the ingredients well.

Step 3: Form the Croquettes

Using about a 1/2 cup of the salmon mixture, form round patties that are about 1 inch thick.

Step 4: Coat the Croquettes

Coat the patties in cornmeal or breadcrumbs. This step will help create a crispy texture.

Step 5: Air Fry the Croquettes

  • Preheat your air fryer to between 375-425°F.
  • Place the coated salmon croquettes into the air fryer basket, being careful not to crowd them.
  • Air fry for 18-20 minutes, or until the outside is crispy and golden brown.

Step 6: Serve

Remove the croquettes from the air fryer and serve immediately. They go well with mango chutney and sweet chili sauce.

You can also make these croquettes in a frying pan or bake them in the oven. Additionally, if you have any leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze them for later.

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Chilling croquettes before cooking

When preparing the potato mixture for the croquettes, it is important to use cold or leftover mashed potatoes. Fresh, warm potatoes can be too sticky and difficult to shape. The potato mixture should be well combined with the desired fillings and seasonings before being formed into the desired shape, such as logs, balls, or ovals.

Once the croquettes are shaped, they are typically coated with a breading or batter. This can include a standard breading procedure of flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs, or a simpler version of just egg and breadcrumbs. The breading helps to create a crispy exterior and can be enhanced by using a crispy variety of breadcrumbs like panko. After breading, the croquettes should be chilled again to allow the coating to set completely.

Chilling the croquettes before cooking also helps to prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket. It is important to ensure that the air fryer basket is well-coated with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking and promote even browning. The croquettes should be arranged in a single layer in the air fryer basket, with space between them to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.

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Reheating and storing croquettes

When it comes to storing croquettes, it is recommended to keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. If you want to store them for longer, you can freeze them. Chicken croquettes, for example, can be frozen for up to 2-3 months if stored properly in an airtight container or freezer bag. Then, when you're ready to eat them, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

To reheat croquettes in an air fryer, first bring them to room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for around 5 minutes. Place the croquettes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching to allow for even cooking. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can lead to uneven heating. Set the timer for 5 minutes, and then check if they're heated through and crispy. If necessary, you can reheat them for an additional 2-3 minutes. For an extra crispy layer, lightly spray the croquettes with cooking oil before reheating.

It's important to note that different air fryers have different heat intensities, so keep an eye on your croquettes, especially during the last few minutes of reheating. Additionally, make sure to follow the specific instructions for your air fryer model to ensure optimal results.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, you can cook croquettes in an air fryer. They are a great alternative to deep-frying as they are healthier and you don't have to worry about excess oil.

To make croquettes, you first need to prepare the filling. This could be mashed potatoes with milk, ham, and nutmeg, or ham and cheese, or salmon, or any other ingredients of your choice. Once the filling is chilled, form it into cylinder or oval shapes, or any shape you like. Then, dip the croquettes in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. Chill the croquettes in the fridge for 10 minutes to help them firm up. Finally, place the croquettes in the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry at around 350F for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Air fryer croquettes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply place them in the air fryer or oven and heat until warmed through. You can also freeze cooked croquettes for up to 6 months.

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