Air-Fried Croquettes: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryers are a great way to cook croquettes, a fried snack made with meat or vegetable filling, bound with mashed potatoes or bechamel, and coated in breadcrumbs. To make croquettes in an air fryer, you'll need to prepare the filling, shape it into patties or balls, create a breading station, coat the croquettes, and then air-fry them. The air fryer's hot air will crisp up the coating without the need for deep-frying in oil.

How to Make Croquettes in an Air Fryer

How to make the filling

The filling is the star of the croquette, and you can get creative with it. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make a delicious filling for your air fryer croquettes:

Ingredients

• Potatoes: Use starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds. You'll need around 1.5-2 lbs of potatoes, which will make about 2 cups of mashed potatoes.
• Meat or Seafood (optional): Common options include ground beef, shredded chicken, ham, bacon, chorizo, tuna, or shrimp.
• Vegetables (optional): Green onions, shallots, corn, carrots, or minced olives are all great choices.
• Cheese (optional): Cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss, Parmesan, or any other good-melting cheese will add a creamy texture.
• Herbs and Spices: Fresh or dried herbs like parsley, dill, rosemary, sage, thyme, or parsley can be added for extra flavour. You can also include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt to taste.

Instructions

• Prepare the potatoes: Start by washing and piercing the potatoes with a fork. You can either bake them in the air fryer at 400°F for 45-60 minutes or boil them in a saucepan for 10-12 minutes until tender. Once cooked, remove the skin and mash the potatoes in a large bowl.
• Mix the filling: In a separate bowl, combine your chosen meat, seafood, and/or vegetables. If using meat, make sure it is cooked beforehand. Then, add this mixture to the mashed potatoes. You can also add in your desired cheese, herbs, and spices at this stage. Mix everything together until well combined.
• Form the croquettes: Take a portion of the potato mixture and flatten it in your palm. If you want a melted cheese centre, place a cube of cheese in the middle and wrap the potato mixture around it, forming a smooth ball. Otherwise, simply shape the mixture into oval or cylinder-shaped croquettes. Place the formed croquettes on a plate or flat surface.

Your croquette filling is now ready to be breaded and cooked in the air fryer! Remember to chill the croquettes in the fridge for at least 15-30 minutes before frying to help them retain their shape during cooking. Enjoy experimenting with different fillings and flavours!

How to shape the croquettes

Shaping the croquettes is a crucial step in ensuring they hold together during cooking and end up with a desirable texture. Here is a detailed guide on how to shape the croquettes:

Firstly, prepare your croquette mixture. For potato croquettes, this usually involves mashing cooked potatoes and mixing them with other ingredients such as cheese, herbs, and seasonings. For meat croquettes, cooked meat is mixed with mashed potatoes or béchamel.

Once your mixture is ready, it's time to shape the croquettes. Using your hands or a small ice cream scoop, take a portion of the mixture and flatten it into a disc shape in the palm of your hand. If you want to add a cheesy centre to your croquettes, place a cube of cheese in the middle of the disc.

Next, carefully fold the edges of the disc over the cheese (if using) to completely seal and cover it. Gently shape the mixture into a smooth ball, ensuring there are no openings or cracks. Repeat this process until you have formed all the croquettes. Aim for a golf-ball size, or 1-inch thick patties.

Place the shaped croquettes on a plate or flat surface. If you have time, it is recommended to chill the uncooked croquettes in the fridge for at least 15 minutes to help them firm up and hold their shape during cooking. This step is especially important if you are using mashed potatoes, as it will prevent the croquettes from bursting or cracking.

Now your croquettes are shaped and ready to be coated and cooked!

How to create a dipping station

To create a dipping station, you will need three bowls. In the first bowl, place some all-purpose flour. In the second bowl, whisk together an egg with a splash of water to create an egg wash. Then, in the third bowl, add the breadcrumbs. You can use plain, Italian, or panko breadcrumbs, or even almond meal. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to the flour and breadcrumbs to enhance the flavour. Line up the bowls in the order of flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs to make the breading process easier.

Take each croquette and roll it gently in the flour, shaking off any excess. This step helps the egg wash adhere to the croquette. Next, dip the floured croquette into the egg wash, ensuring it is evenly coated. Finally, roll the croquette in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently so that the breadcrumbs stick to the croquette. Repeat this process until all the croquettes are coated.

How to cook the croquettes

Once you've made your croquette mixture, it's time to cook them! Here's a step-by-step guide to cooking croquettes in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Dipping Station

Get three shallow bowls and line them up on your countertop. In the first bowl, place some all-purpose flour. In the second bowl, whisk an egg with a splash of water. You can also add a pinch of salt and pepper to this egg wash. The third bowl should contain your breadcrumbs. For extra crunch, use panko breadcrumbs. You can also add a pinch of salt and pepper to the breadcrumbs.

Step 2: Coat the Croquettes

Take each croquette and roll it gently in the flour, shaking off any excess. This step helps the egg wash adhere better to the croquette. Next, dip the floured croquette into the egg wash, ensuring it's evenly coated. Finally, roll the croquette in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently so that the breadcrumbs stick nicely. Repeat this process for each croquette.

Step 3: Chill the Croquettes (Optional)

If you have time, place the coated croquettes in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes to chill. Chilling helps the coating set and can prevent the croquettes from bursting or cracking during cooking.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes suggest a temperature between 350°F and 400°F.

Step 5: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with a little oil. This will help the croquettes brown nicely and prevent sticking.

Step 6: Place the Croquettes in the Air Fryer

Arrange the croquettes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they're not overcrowded. If needed, cook the croquettes in batches. Spray the tops of the croquettes with a bit of oil for better browning.

Step 7: Air Fry the Croquettes

Cook the croquettes at the preheated temperature for 4-7 minutes, or until they're golden brown. There's no need to flip them unless you notice uneven cooking.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!

Serve your croquettes hot with your favourite dipping sauce. Ketchup, sour cream, garlic aioli, and tangy tonkatsu sauce are all excellent choices. Enjoy!

How to serve the croquettes

There are many ways to serve croquettes, depending on the type of croquette and the occasion. Here are some ideas:

As a Snack or Appetizer

Croquette is a versatile dish that can be served as a snack or appetizer. They can be served as a bite-sized snack or appetizer at parties or get-togethers. You can accompany them with ketchup, sour cream, garlic aioli, or your favourite dipping sauce. For a kid-friendly option, serve them with ketchup or marinara sauce.

As a Main Course

Croquette can also be a main course, served with a side of salad, green vegetables, or a dip. For a more filling option, serve them with a protein source such as chicken or fish. For instance, Japanese korokke (croquettes) are commonly served with tonkatsu sauce, rice, and cabbage salad.

As a Side Dish

Croquette also makes an excellent side dish to complement any main course. For instance, they can be served with cast iron chicken wings and homemade blue cheese dip, or with other finger foods for your guests.

As a Party Food

Croquette is a perfect party food, especially when made with interesting fillings and served with tangy sauces. For instance, Japanese-inspired ham and cheese croquettes with panko breadcrumbs go well with tonkatsu sauce and lemon wedges.

As Part of a Meal

Croquette can be served as part of a meal, such as a post-Thanksgiving menu. For instance, turkey croquettes can be served as an entree with a salad or as a snack with a dipping sauce like sour cream, gravy, or applesauce.

As a Finger Food

Croquette is also a perfect finger food, especially when made into bite-sized balls. They are easy to eat and can be served as a fun and tasty addition to any gathering.

With Various Dipping Sauces

Croquette can be served with a variety of dipping sauces to enhance their flavour. Some popular options include sour cream, gravy, applesauce, ketchup, marinara sauce, tomato sauce, mayonnaise, or creamy yoghurt sauce.

With Herbs and Spices

Adding herbs and spices to the dipping sauce can also enhance the flavour of the croquettes. For instance, adding herbs or spices to sour cream can bring out more flavour in turkey croquettes.

With a Crunchy Coating

For a crunchy texture and flavour, coat the croquettes in breadcrumbs, preferably panko, and spray them generously with cooking oil. This will give them a golden brown colour and a crispy exterior.

Baked or Fried

Croquette can be baked or fried, depending on your preference. Baking may result in a less crispy texture compared to frying, but it is a healthier option.

With Various Fillings

Croquette is a versatile dish that can be made with various fillings, including meat, seafood, vegetables, or a combination of these ingredients. Popular fillings include ground beef, shredded chicken, ham, bacon, sausage, tuna, salmon, green onions, chives, and minced olives. You can also add cheese to the centre for a melted cheese surprise.

Gluten-Free Option

To make gluten-free croquettes, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs or almond meal.

Leftovers and Storage

Leftover croquettes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days, depending on the ingredients used. They can also be frozen and stored in a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply place the croquettes in the air fryer or oven and heat until warmed through.

Frequently asked questions