Description
These Ham and Cheese Potato Croquettes are crispy, golden-fried delights made from leftover mashed potatoes mixed with diced ham, shredded cheddar cheese, and chives. Perfect as a savory snack or appetizer, they are pan-fried to achieve a crunchy exterior while staying soft and cheesy inside.
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
For Frying
- ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
- Additional all-purpose flour for hands
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the mashed potatoes, finely diced ham, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, chives, and ½ cup of all-purpose flour. Stir everything together thoroughly with a wooden spoon to create a uniform mixture.
- Form Croquettes: Lightly flour your hands to prevent sticking. Divide the potato mixture into 16 small, flat disks about half an inch thick. Using a cookie scoop can help ensure even portions and consistent sizes.
- Heat Oil: Pour vegetable or canola oil into a heavy bottomed skillet, ideally cast iron for even heat. Heat the oil over medium heat. To test if the oil is ready, sprinkle a few drops of water in; if they sizzle, the oil is hot enough.
- Fry Croquettes: Carefully place croquettes in the skillet in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan so they cook evenly and get crisp on all sides. Fry each side for about 4 minutes or until golden brown, then flip once to cook the other side.
- Drain and Cool: Transfer the fried croquettes to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Allow them to cool for about 5 minutes before serving to let the exterior crisp while preventing burns.
Notes
- If the croquettes aren’t holding together well, add a little more flour to the mixture.
- The amount of oil used depends on your pan size. The croquettes should not be fully submerged but should have enough oil to crisp around all sides.
- A heavy bottomed skillet, preferably cast iron, provides the best heat distribution for frying.
- Allow the croquettes to cool slightly after frying to enhance texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 2-3 croquettes)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
