Potato croquettes are easy party appetizers. These are quick vegetarian appetizers that are loaded with cheesy bites and a crunchy outer layer of potatoes coated with breadcrumbs.
These Italian croquettes are easy to make and also you can make them ahead for your upcoming parties like Thanksgiving party appetizers, New Year's Eve parties, gameday snacking, and many more such occasions. You can deep fry them, or bake them in the oven or in an air fryer.
Potato Croquettes
These are so soft and flavorful that they will just melt in your mouth giving a burst of flavors and deliciously cheesy ecstasy. If you love appetizers check out my air fryer appetizers and vegan appetizers here.
Ingredients you will need -
Potatoes - starchy potatoes are the best to r such recipes since they bind the ingredients nicely and don't fall apart.
Seasoning - Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
Veggies - corn, and onions for a crunchy bite to them. If you love spicy ones, add deseeded jalapenos.
Cheese - shredded mozzarella or processed cheese. You can use mozzarella sticks. Cut the stick into the desired size. If using sticks or cubes, let them be at room temperature for 15 - 20 minutes before stuffing.
For Coating - Cornstarch to make slurry, and breadcrumbs.
Oil Spray - These are required to coat the croquettes for air frying or baking. You can also deep fry the croquettes.
How to make the potato croquettes?
Take boiled/ cooked potatoes that are at room temperature. Remove the peel once these are done. Now mash the potatoes with the help of a potato masher.
Once the potatoes are cold enough (or at room temperature), add the veggies if you are adding any along with the seasoning and herbs to the potato mashed. Mix them nicely using your hand if possible for better mixing of ingredients.
Now divide the potato mixture into small roundels. Take one roundel and flatten making a disc. Place the cheese and close the sides to make a log shape or ball shape (as the desired shape) again. Repeat and make all the cheese-stuffed logs.
Keep the logs on a clean tray and cover it with cling wrap. Now refrigerate them for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the tray and remove the cling wrap.
Take 3 bowls, 1 with all-purpose flour, 2nd with cornstarch slurry, and 3rd with breadcrumbs with seasoning. Or you can add both all-purpose flour and cornstarch making the slurry.
First, take a log and roll it over the flour plate, then dip it in a slurry bowl, and then roll over the seasoned breadcrumbs. Repeat for all the cheese-stuffed croquettes.
Then cook the croquettes in the desired method. Deep fry or bake in the oven or air fryer.
Can I freeze the potato croquettes?
Yes, you can absolutely freeze the homemade potato croquettes. Prepare the stuffed potato croquettes and follow until coated with the bread crumbs. Now keep them on a baking tray and keep them inside the freezer for up to 1 - 2 hrs. Then take out the tray and transfer the croquettes to a freezer bag. Store for up to 3 - 4 months. Whenever required, remove and place in the freeze for 2 - 3 hrs. Then follow the steps to air fry or Bake the croquettes.
Frozen Potato Croquettes
Yes, absolutely. No need to thaw the croquettes and no need to spray oil since the frozen have already have some oil in them and they don't need additional oil to air fry or bake the potato croquettes. Simply place them in the air fryer basket and cook them at 400 F/ 200c for 12 minutes or till they all turn golden and crispy.
Tips to Make The Best Croquettes
Cool the potatoes - Cook the potatoes ahead of time (1 - 2 hrs min) and bring them to room temperature before mixing other ingredients and flour. Otherwise, it will be sticky and won't bind properly.
Veggies added- To the potatoes, I have added corn. You can also add other veggies like carrots and peppers to make it a little more vibrant.
Eggwash Substitute - If you are an eggetarian, you can take beaten eggs for eggwash. However, I have substituted the eggwash with flour and cornstarch slurry.
Bread Crumbs - To make the croquettes evenly brown and golden, I prefer regular brown bread as compared to panko bread crumbs. Though panko makes them crispier.
Quantity of spices and herbs - Use your judgment for the quantity of the spices and herbs you will add to the croquettes as per the flavor you like in them rather than the quantities mentioned in any recipe.
Italian Potato Croquettes
Cheesy Potato Croquettes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes
- 1 small onion finely chopped or 1 tsp onion powder
- ยผ cup corn kernels frozen or fresh
- 2 tbsp fresh flat parsley finely chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder or 4 cloves of garlic
- 1ยฝ tsp Italian seasoning/ herbs mix oregano, basil, parsley
- ยพ - 1 tsp salt or as per taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or shredded vegan cheese)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch for slurry
- 1 tbsp refined flour for coating (optional)
- 1 cup bread crumbs/ refined flour for coating
Instructions
- Cook potatoes in an Instant pot or stovetop. Remove the skins.
- Then mash or grate it completely using a potato masher.
- Cool it completely before adding any ingredients.
- Add chopped veggies, spices and herbs to the mashed potatoes.
- Make small roundels of equal size from the potato mixture.
- Grease both palms. Take a ball, press it lightly to flatten slightly.
- Put some shredded cheese in centre.
- Seal it from all ends and roll it to make a ball again.
- Repeat this for all balls and make stuffed balls.
- Roll the balls lightly making small logs.
- Make a slurry of flowing consistency by mixing cornstarch, all purpose flour and water. You can also make the slurry with only cornstarch and water.
- Dip the shaped potato balls or logs into the slurry.
- Remove from the slurry and roll them on bread crumbs (seasoned).
- Repeat this for all stuffed croquettes.
Air Fry the Potato Croquettes
- Preheat the air fryer at 400 F for 4 minutes.
- Then Grease the air fryer basket with oil sprayer.
- Place the coated croquettes, in the basket.
- From top spray some oil to coat them lightly.
- Place the basket inside and start the air fryer at 375 F/ 190 C for 15 minutes, till it turns golden and crispy.
- Flipping is not required though.
- Remove when you feel these are done perfectly.
- Serve with your favorite dip.
Air Fryer Frozen Potato Croquettes
- Preheat the air fryer at 400 F for 3 minutes.
- Place the potato croquettes in the air fryer basket.
- No need to spray oil since frozen has already oil in it.
- Start the air fryer at 400 F for 10 - 12 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
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