Last time I sampled Croquettes, I had dragged the last of the holidaze turkey out of the freezer.
And we were wicked pleased.
This time, it was leftover Easter ham and mashed potatoes.
And we were still wicked pleased; especially when I topped them with a bit of Trader Joe’s Greek Feta Salad Dressing and served Korean Potato Salad on the side.
As with the turkey croquettes, I used the air fryer, for the win.
INGREDIENTS
Croquettes:
•3 cups chopped cooked ham
•2 cups mashed potatoes
•1/2 cup grated Parmesan
•1/2 cup shredded Swiss
•1 shallot, finely chopped
•1 tbsp Sherry Peppers Sauce*
•1 tsp Cajun Power Spicy Garlic Pepper Sauce – or your fave hot sauce, to taste
•1/2 tsp Seasoned Salt
•1/2 tsp black pepper
•1/4 tsp Aleppo pepper
Breading:
•1 egg
•2 tbsp water
•1-1/4 cup breadcrumbs
•Olive oil
*No Sherry Peppers Sauce? No Problem! Simply add a bit of decent sherry (none of that “cooking” stuff) and a dash or three of your fave hot sauce, to taste.
Stir the ham together with the potatoes, cheeses, shallot, sauces, and seasonings in a mixing bowl until well combined.
Whisk the egg together with the water in a shallow bowl and set aside.
Add the breadcrumbs to another shallow bowl and place next to the egg bowl.
Using a 1/4 cup scoop, divided the croquette mixture into twelve more-or-less equally sized balls.
Flatten the balls into patties, then, one at a time, dip each patty in the egg mixture, coating both sides, then dip in the breadcrumbs, flipping over to evenly coat both sides. Arrange on a platter.
Heat your oven to 200º and your air fryer to 350º. The warm oven will keep your croquettes warm while air frying them in batches. My combination air fryer will hold six croquettes at a time; others my only hold three or four at a time.
Brush your air fryer basket with olive oil, then arrange croquette patties in a single layer and brush the top of each with more olive oil.
Pop into the hot air fryer and cook for four or five minutes.
Remove from the fryer, turn over, brush with olive oil, and return to the air fryer for another four to five minutes, until the croquettes are golden brown and crispy.
Remove the croquettes to a parchment lined platter and keep warm in the oven while you air fry the remaining croquettes.
Serve as you will.
The first night, I served with steamed broccoli and Blender Hollandaise sauce; but the next day for lunch, that Trader Joe’s Feta Dressing was da bomb!