Ooo yes—croquettes 😍 Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside. Total comfort food with fancy vibes. Here’s a classic, versatile croquette recipe you can adapt to chicken, ham, potatoes, or seafood.
Classic Croquettes
Ingredients (makes ~12–15)
Filling (Base)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1½ cups finely chopped cooked meat
(chicken, ham, turkey, beef, or seafood) - ¼ cup finely minced onion (optional)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- ¼ tsp nutmeg or paprika (optional)
- 1–2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
Breading
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs or panko
- Oil for frying
Instructions
1. Make the creamy filling
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour; cook 1–2 minutes (don’t brown).
- Slowly whisk in milk until thick and smooth.
- Stir in meat, onion, seasoning, and parsley.
- Cook until mixture is very thick and pulls away from the pan.
- Spread into a dish, cover, and chill at least 1 hour (important!).
2. Shape the croquettes
- Scoop chilled mixture and shape into logs or balls.
3. Bread
- Dip each croquette into beaten egg.
- Roll in breadcrumbs until fully coated.
4. Fry
- Heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry croquettes in batches 2–3 minutes until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels.
Serving Ideas
- With gravy or cream sauce
- With mustard or aioli
- As a side or appetizer
- Over greens for a light meal
Tips for Perfect Croquettes
🔥 Filling must be cold and thick or they’ll fall apart
🥖 Panko = extra crunch
🧈 Nutmeg adds that classic old-school flavor
❄️ You can freeze breaded croquettes before frying
Popular Variations
- Potato croquettes (mashed potatoes + cheese)
- Salmon croquettes (add lemon & dill)
- Ham & cheese croquettes (very indulgent)
Want a Southern-style salmon croquette or a cheesy potato version next?
