Description
These Ham and Cheese Potato Croquettes are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, made with leftover mashed potatoes, diced ham, and shredded cheddar cheese. Perfect as a delicious snack or side dish, they are pan-fried until golden and garnished with fresh chives and a hint of garlic powder for extra flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Potato Mixture
- 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
- 1 cup finely diced ham
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons thinly sliced chives
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for your hands
For Frying
- ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the mashed potatoes, diced ham, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, sliced chives, and ½ cup of flour. Stir everything together thoroughly with a wooden spoon until the mixture is well combined and holds together.
- Shape Croquettes: Lightly flour your hands to prevent sticking and divide the potato mixture into 16 small flat disks, each about half an inch thick. Using a cookie scoop can help ensure even portions and consistent sizes for uniform cooking.
- Heat Oil: Heat the vegetable or canola oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium heat. To test if the oil is ready, sprinkle a few drops of water into the pan; if they sizzle immediately, the oil is hot enough for frying.
- Fry Croquettes: Fry the croquettes in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook each side for about 4 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Use tongs or a spatula to flip them carefully once during cooking to ensure even browning all around.
- Drain and Cool: Transfer the cooked croquettes onto a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Let them cool for about 5 minutes before serving so they firm up slightly and are safe to eat.
Notes
- If the croquettes are not holding together well, add a little more flour to the mixture.
- Adjust the amount of oil in the pan based on your skillet size; the croquettes should not be fully submerged but should have enough oil to crisp evenly on all sides.
- Use leftover mashed potatoes for best flavor and texture.
- For extra flavor, you can add herbs like parsley or paprika to the mixture.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce such as sour cream, mustard, or aioli.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 croquettes
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
