Description
Leftover Mashed Potato Croquettes are a delicious way to transform leftover mashed potatoes into crispy, golden bites packed with spinach and parmesan. These easy-to-make croquettes are perfect as a snack, appetizer, or side dish, fried to perfection until crunchy on the outside and soft inside.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Dairy
- 2 cups fresh spinach (70 g)
- 2 cups mashed potatoes (450 g)
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese (80 g)
Breading and Coating
- ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon flour (70 g) (can substitute gluten-free)
- 3 large eggs, divided
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (110 g) (Italian-style preferred, can substitute gluten-free)
Cooking Oil
- 4 cups vegetable oil (950 mL) for frying
Instructions
- Cook Spinach: Heat a dash of oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the fresh spinach and cook, stirring often, until it reduces in size, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and roughly chop the wilted spinach.
- Prepare Croquette Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped cooked spinach, mashed potatoes, grated parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon of flour, and 2 of the egg yolks (reserve the remaining egg white and whole egg for coating). Mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
- Set Up Breading Station: Whisk together the 2 remaining egg whites and 1 whole egg in a bowl. Place ½ cup of flour in a separate shallow bowl and panko breadcrumbs in another bowl. Arrange a clean plate at the end for the coated croquettes.
- Heat Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or deep fryer to 350ºF (176ºC). Ensure there is enough oil to fully submerge the croquettes during frying.
- Shape and Coat Croquettes: Shape the potato mixture into balls by hand. Working in batches, dredge each croquette first in the flour, then dip into the egg wash, allowing excess to drip off, and finally roll in the panko breadcrumbs. Place coated croquettes on the clean plate until ready to fry.
- Fry Croquettes: Carefully lower the croquettes into the hot oil using metal tongs. Fry in batches for 5 to 6 minutes, or until croquettes are golden brown and crispy on the outside. Remove and drain on a wire rack to retain crispness.
- Serve: Serve the croquettes immediately while hot and crispy for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Storage: Keep leftover croquettes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Re-crisp them in an air fryer, oven, or toaster oven before serving again.
- How to Make Mashed Potatoes: You can prepare mashed potatoes by peeling, cutting, and boiling potatoes then mashing them; or bake them before mashing. Alternatively, microwave potatoes with holes poked in the skin and mash once cooked.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: International
