Making Croquettes: Air Fryer Magic

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep-frying croquettes, producing a similar crispy exterior and soft, creamy centre. They are healthier, easier to clean, and more time-efficient than deep-frying. You can make croquettes in an air fryer using mashed potatoes, meat, fish, or vegetables, and coat them in breadcrumbs before air-frying.

How to make croquettes in an air fryer

Ingredients

You can make croquettes with a variety of ingredients, but the most common are mashed potatoes, meat, and cheese. Here is a list of ingredients you will need to make croquettes in an air fryer:

• Mashed potatoes: You can use leftover mashed potatoes or make them from scratch.
• Meat (optional): This can include ham, bacon, ground beef, chicken, tuna, or salmon.
• Cheese (optional): Cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss, or Parmesan cheese are great options.
• Herbs (optional): Fresh or dried herbs like parsley, dill, rosemary, or sage can add flavor to your croquettes.
• Breadcrumbs: Italian, gluten-free, rice, or plain breadcrumbs are ideal.
• Eggs: These will be used for the breading station.
• Flour: All-purpose flour is best.
• Spices: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika can be used to taste.
• Oil: Cooking spray or olive oil to grease the air fryer basket.

Method

• Prepare the filling: If you are using mashed potatoes, make sure they are cold before starting. In a large bowl, mix the mashed potatoes with your desired fillings and spices. You can also add an egg to the mixture to help bind the croquettes together.
• Shape the croquettes: Use your hands to shape the mixture into small cylinders or balls. If you want to add a melted cheese center, flatten the potato mixture in your hand, place a cube of cheese in the center, and wrap the potato around it to form a ball.
• Bread the croquettes: Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls. Fill the first bowl with flour, the second with beaten eggs, and the third with breadcrumbs. Roll each croquette in the flour, then dip it into the egg, and finally coat it with breadcrumbs.
• Chill the croquettes: Place the breaded croquettes in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes to help them firm up and retain their shape during cooking.
• Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to between 350-400°F.
• Cook the croquettes: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the croquettes in a single layer in the basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. Air fry for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process, until they are golden brown and crispy.
• Serve: Remove the croquettes from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Tips

• Use cold mashed potatoes: Warm or fresh mashed potatoes can be too sticky and difficult to shape.
• Chill the croquettes before cooking: This will help them firm up and prevent them from bursting during cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer: Cook the croquettes in batches if needed to ensure even cooking.
• Use a crispy breadcrumb: Panko breadcrumbs work well to get a crunchy texture.
• Spray with cooking oil: Generously spray the croquettes with cooking oil spray to help them crisp up and turn golden brown.

What are croquettes?

Croquettes are a versatile dish that can be served as a side, a snack, or fast food. They are typically deep-fried rolls with a creamy centre and a crispy, crunchy exterior. The word "croquette" is French, derived from "croquer," meaning "to crunch."

Traditionally, croquettes consist of a thick binder combined with a filling, which is then breaded and fried. The binder is usually a thick béchamel or brown sauce, mashed potatoes, wheat flour, or wheat bread. The filling can be finely chopped meat, seafood, cheese, rice, mushrooms, or various vegetables, and is often seasoned with herbs and spices.

There are many variations of croquettes worldwide, such as the potato-filled croquette called "aloo tikki" from the Indian subcontinent and the Japanese-style potato croquette, which is also popular in China. In Spain, croquettes are often made with béchamel sauce and are a popular tapas dish, while in Italy, they are mainly made with crushed potatoes or vegetables.

Croquette recipes can be customised to include a variety of ingredients, such as ground meat, tuna, potatoes, or vegetables. The only rule is that they must be rolled in breadcrumbs and then fried, baked, or air-fried.

How to make mashed potato croquettes

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make mashed potato croquettes:

• Mashed potatoes
• Milk
• Nutmeg
• Cured ham
• Egg/s
• Breadcrumbs
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt
• Cheese (cheddar, manchego, parmesan, or mozzarella)
• Onion powder
• Black pepper
• Fresh herbs (dill, parsley, green onions, or chives)

Method

Step 1: Prepare the Potato Mixture

• In a large bowl, mix mashed potatoes with milk, nutmeg, and cured ham. You can also add salt, chopped fresh herbs, or spices like garlic powder.
• If using cheese, create a small disc with the potato mixture in your palm and place a cube of cheese in the centre. Gently shape it into a ball, ensuring there are no openings.

Step 2: Create the Breading Station

• Prepare three bowls: one with flour, the second with beaten egg/s, and the third with breadcrumbs mixed with black pepper and onion powder.
• If you want an extra crispy coating, use gluten-free or panko breadcrumbs.

Step 3: Coat the Croquettes

• Take a portion of the potato mixture and roll it gently in the flour, shaking off any excess.
• Next, dip the floured ball into the beaten egg, ensuring it is evenly coated.
• Finally, roll it into the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure an even coating.
• Repeat this process for all the croquettes.

Step 4: Chill the Croquettes

Chilling the croquettes helps them firm up and keeps their shape while cooking. Place the coated croquettes in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes or in the freezer for at least 10 minutes.

Step 5: Cook the Croquettes

• Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with oil.
• Place the croquettes in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between them for even cooking.
• Air fry for 8-15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. No flipping is needed, but you may flip halfway through for more even cooking.

Your mashed potato croquettes are now ready to be served! Enjoy them as a delicious side dish or appetizer, paired with your favourite dipping sauce.

How to make turkey croquettes

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread, or more as needed
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup of chicken broth
• 2 cups of diced cooked turkey
• 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon of dried rosemary
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup of milk
• 1 beaten egg
• 1 cup of seasoned bread crumbs
• Olive oil

Method

• Place the bread in a blender and blend until soft crumbs form. Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl.
• Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir the flour into the melted butter until dissolved.
• Mix the milk, chicken broth, turkey, parsley, rosemary, salt, and pepper into the butter-flour mixture. Cook and stir this until it thickens, which should take about 5 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool.
• Form the mixture into balls and place them on a plate. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Dip the balls in the beaten egg, allowing the excess to drip back into the bowl. Then, press them into the breadcrumbs until coated.
• Arrange the balls on a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cooked through and browned.

Tips

• You can spice up this recipe with thyme, sage, poultry seasoning, and onion powder.
• You can substitute chicken for turkey.
• You can also deep-fry the croquettes instead of baking them.

How to make potato croquettes from frozen

Ingredients

• Mashed potatoes (leftover or freshly made)
• Milk (optional)
• Breadcrumbs (plain, Italian, gluten-free, or panko)
• Eggs
• Oil (for frying)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional fillings: cheese, bacon, ham, or herbs

Method

• If making your own mashed potatoes, peel and cut the potatoes into cubes, boil them in water for about 15-20 minutes or until tender, then drain and mash. You can add milk, butter, salt, and pepper to taste.
• Allow the mashed potatoes to cool completely, then mix in any desired fillings such as cheese, bacon, ham, or herbs.
• Take a portion of the potato mixture and shape it into a small cylinder or ball. If using a filling, flatten the potato mixture into a disc, place the filling in the center, and wrap the potato mixture around it.
• Prepare three separate bowls for dredging: one with flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs.
• Roll the shaped potato mixture first in the flour, shaking off any excess, then dip it into the beaten egg, and finally, roll it in the breadcrumbs until evenly coated.
• Place the breaded croquettes on a plate or tray and chill in the freezer for about 10-30 minutes to help them firm up and keep their shape during cooking.
• Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F.
• Place the croquettes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them to allow hot air to circulate. Lightly spray the croquettes with oil.
• Air fry for 8-15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. No flipping is needed, but you may flip them halfway through if they are cooking unevenly.
• Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Tips:

• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
• If you prefer a crispier texture, use a crispy breadcrumb like panko and spray the croquettes generously with cooking oil spray.
• If you have leftover mashed potatoes, it is best to use them within a few days as they can dry out or develop an off flavor over time.

Frequently asked questions