Air-Fried Potato Croquettes: A Healthy, Crispy Treat?

Potato croquettes are a delicious, crispy treat, perfect as a snack, side dish, or party appetizer. They are a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes, and an air fryer is an excellent way to cook them. Not only is it a healthier alternative to deep-frying, but it also produces a desirable crispy exterior and a soft, creamy interior. The air fryer also ensures that the croquettes are cooked evenly, and there is minimal cleanup required.

How to make potato croquettes from scratch

Potato croquettes are a beloved finger food served all over the world, with flavours and ingredients varying across countries, regions, and cuisines. They are fried cylinders, balls, or patties of minced vegetables, seafood, or meat bound together by mashed potato or bechamel sauce.

To make potato croquettes from scratch, you will need to start by preparing the potatoes. You can bake, steam, boil, or fry them. If you choose to bake them, preheat your oven to 400°F, scrub the potatoes, and use a fork to poke holes all over. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until a fork or knife can pierce them easily, rotating them every 20 minutes. If you prefer to steam or boil them, make sure they are dry and fluffy when cooked. You can also fry the potatoes, but this may add more moisture to the mixture, which can cause the croquettes to fall apart.

Once your potatoes are cooked, remove the skins and mash them. You can use a potato ricer or food mill to ensure a smooth consistency. If you want to add cheese, as suggested by some recipes, now is the time to mix in your chosen variety. You can also add other ingredients such as milk, ham, nutmeg, or bacon at this stage. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can result in a gluey texture.

Next, it's time to shape your croquettes. Use a cookie or ice cream scoop to portion out the potato mixture, and roll it into balls or flatten it into discs. If you are using cheese, form the potato around a small cheese cube, ensuring it is completely enclosed. You can then shape the croquettes into balls or cylinders. Place them on a plate or tray, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about an hour to help them hold their shape.

Now, it's time to bread the croquettes. Set up three shallow bowls. Add flour and a pinch of salt and pepper to one bowl. In the second bowl, whisk together an egg with a small amount of water. The third bowl should contain breadcrumbs and a pinch of salt and pepper. Roll each croquette first in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess, then coat it in the egg wash, and finally, roll it in the breadcrumbs until completely covered. Repeat this process for a double layer of breading, which will help the croquettes crisp up. Place the breaded croquettes in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes to firm up and keep their shape while cooking.

Finally, it's time to cook your croquettes. You can fry them in a heavy medium saucepan with 1-2 inches of vegetable oil, peanut oil, or canola oil over medium-high heat. Fry in batches for about 2 minutes per batch, turning them as needed, until they are golden brown all over. Alternatively, you can bake them in the oven at 400°F for about 15 minutes or until golden and crispy.

If you want to cook your croquettes in an air fryer, preheat it to 400°F. Spray the basket with oil and add the croquettes in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. Air fry for 5-10 minutes, gently shaking the basket halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy. Serve your croquettes immediately, topped with shredded cheese if desired, and enjoy!

Cooking times and temperatures for potato croquettes

The cooking time and temperature for potato croquettes in an air fryer depend on the type of potatoes used and the size of the croquettes. It is important to ensure that the croquettes are not overcrowded in the air fryer, and that they are cooked in a single layer to ensure even cooking.

For baking potatoes in an air fryer, the temperature should be set to around 400°F, and the potatoes should be baked for 45-60 minutes or until they are fork-tender. It is important to rotate the potatoes every 20 minutes to ensure even cooking.

For air-frying potato croquettes, the temperature should be set to between 350°F and 390°F. The cooking time will depend on the size of the croquettes, but it typically ranges from 4 to 18 minutes. It is important to flip the croquettes halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.

If cooking frozen potato croquettes, it is recommended to add 2-3 minutes to the cooking time. It is also important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the brand and size of the air fryer.

For reheating leftover potato croquettes, it is recommended to set the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 3-5 minutes or until heated through. It is important not to overcook the croquettes as they may dry out.

How to make gluten-free potato croquettes

Potato croquettes are a delicious snack, side dish, or appetizer. They are crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside. You can make gluten-free potato croquettes by following these steps:

Ingredients

• Potatoes
• Butter
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Green onion
• Milk
• Gluten-free flour
• Egg
• Gluten-free breadcrumbs
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Grated or shredded Manchego or cheddar cheese (optional)

Method

First, cook the potatoes. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Scrub the potatoes clean and use a fork to poke holes all over. Place the potatoes in the air fryer and cook for 45-60 minutes, or until a fork or knife can easily pierce them. Rotate them every 20 minutes so they cook evenly. Once the potatoes are cooked, carefully remove them from the air fryer and cut them in half lengthwise. Scoop out the flesh and discard the skins.

To the warm potatoes, add butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and green onion. Gently mix the potato mixture until the butter melts, being careful not to over-mix. Let the mixture cool slightly until you can handle it with your hands.

Next, shape the potato mixture into golf ball-sized balls or logs. You can add a chunk of cheese to the center at this point for an extra treat. Place the shaped potatoes on a plate with space between each one. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 15-20 minutes.

Now it's time to bread the potatoes. Set up three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, add gluten-free flour and a pinch of salt and pepper. In the second bowl, whisk together an egg with a small amount of water. In the third bowl, add gluten-free breadcrumbs and a pinch of salt and pepper. Roll a potato ball in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess. Then, coat it in the egg wash, and finally, roll it in the breadcrumbs. Repeat this process until all the potato balls are breaded.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F again. Spray the basket with olive oil or cooking spray and add the croquettes in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. If needed, fry in batches. Air fry for 5-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, gently shaking the basket halfway through.

Serve the gluten-free potato croquettes immediately, topped with grated or shredded cheese if desired. Enjoy!

How to reheat potato croquettes

To reheat potato croquettes, you will need to set your air fryer to the correct temperature and ensure the croquettes are not overcrowded in the basket.

First, preheat your air fryer to 160°C/365°F. While the air fryer is preheating, remove your leftover croquettes from the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes. It is important to note that you should not freeze thawed potato croquettes.

Next, place the croquettes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. It is okay if they are touching slightly, but they should not be stacked on top of each other. If you have a lot of croquettes, you may need to cook them in batches.

Once the air fryer has preheated, place the basket in the air fryer and cook the croquettes for 3-7 minutes, depending on the source of the recipe. Keep an eye on them to ensure they do not overcook, as this will dry them out. The croquettes are ready when they are heated through and crispy on the outside.

Finally, remove the basket from the air fryer and serve the croquettes immediately. They go well with a variety of dipping sauces, such as BBQ sauce, ketchup, aioli, garlic mayo, pesto mayo, sour cream, or spicy mayo.

Potato croquette dipping sauces

Potato croquettes are crisp-fried mashed potato patties that can be made in an air fryer. They are often served with a dipping sauce of choice. Here are some ideas for potato croquette dipping sauces:

Garlic Aioli Dipping Sauce

Mix mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt to taste. This sauce is simple to make and pairs well with the crispy, fried potato croquettes.

Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

A sweet and tangy honey mustard sauce can be a great accompaniment to potato croquettes, especially those with ham or other meats like chorizo, pepperoni, or bacon.

Cheese Sauce

A cheese sauce or shredded cheese on top of the croquettes can also be a delicious option. Manchego or smoked gouda cheese, for example, can add a gooey, savoury element to the crispy croquettes.

Chipotle Sauce

For those who enjoy a spicy kick, a chipotle sauce could be a good choice. This can be served as a dipping sauce or drizzled over the potato croquettes.

Ketchup or Tomato Sauce

A classic ketchup or tomato-based sauce can also be a simple and tasty option for dipping potato croquettes.

These are just a few suggestions, but feel free to get creative and experiment with different sauces and flavours that pair well with the crispy, fried potato croquettes made in an air fryer.

Frequently asked questions