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The starter, Chic bistro

Fried camembert croquettes with fig jam

Camembert croquettes are double breaded, fried cheese sticks served with fig jam as a starter for 6. They take 40 minutes of active work and are fully prepared the night before, breaded and frozen, so all that's left is frying right before serving. Difficulty is medium, cost runs about €2.50 per person, and the key is pulling them from the freezer without letting them fully thaw before they hit the hot oil.

Golden croquettes with a molten camembert center, served with fig jam, this is the number one crowd pleaser for an apero style starter.

Fried camembert croquettes with fig jam
For
6 people
Work
40 min
Total time
4 h
Prep
Prepared the day before
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€2.50
Calories per person
450 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Under a double golden crust, the camembert melts into a molten center that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of fig jam. That contrast of hot and cold, crispy and gooey, makes this a starter people remember, and it asks for no real skill on the day since all the work happens the night before.

This is a great starter for a dinner with friends in fall or winter, when you want something comforting and a little indulgent before the main course. It also works well for a family meal or a birthday, kids love the gooey cheese, and it fits easily into a bistro style menu with a braised main to follow.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before 3 steps, 30 min
  2. The same day Nothing to do
  3. Before the guests arrive 1 step, 1 h
  4. When it's time to serve 2 steps, 12 min

The night before, you cut, double bread, and freeze the croquettes, which covers most of the work. The day of, right before guests arrive, you pull them from the freezer and toss together the mâche salad. At serving time, you fry them in hot oil for a few minutes and plate immediately with the fig jam.

The ingredients

6 people

Dairy

  • Ripe camembert 2
  • Eggs 3

Pantry

  • Flouroften in the pantry 80 g
  • Breadcrumbsoften in the pantry 150 g
  • Fig jam 100 g
  • Frying oiloften in the pantry 1 kg
  • Balsamic vinegaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Mâche lettuce 100 g

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Cut each camembert into 6 wedges, then cut each wedge into 2 small sticks, and freeze them for 30 minutes. 30 min

    A well chilled camembert cuts cleanly without sticking to the knife.

  2. Coat each piece in flour, then beaten eggs, then breadcrumbs, and repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps for a double crust.

    Bread twice, the double crust keeps the cheese from escaping during frying.

  3. Arrange the croquettes on a tray, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze overnight.

    Space them out well, they shouldn't touch or they'll stick together.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Take the croquettes out an hour before guests arrive and keep them chilled, prepare the mâche salad with the balsamic vinegar. 1 h

    Let them thaw just slightly, only enough so the crust doesn't crack when it hits the oil.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Heat the oil to 180°C and fry the croquettes in small batches for about 1 minute 30 seconds. 12 min

    A piece of bread dropped in the oil should sizzle right away, that's your sign it's ready.

  2. Drain on paper towels and serve with the fig jam and mâche salad.

    Serve them right away, the center stays molten only while hot.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a camembert that's fully ripe, almost soft to the touch, it melts better once fried than a younger, firmer cheese.
  • Don't overcrowd the fryer, too many croquettes at once drops the oil temperature and makes the breading soggy.
  • Always keep a couple of extra croquettes in the freezer, one or two sometimes crack during frying and it helps to have backup.

The variations

  • Swap the fig jam for onion jam if you want something more tangy and less sweet.
  • For a quicker version, bread the croquettes the same morning and freeze them for just two hours before frying, the result still works even if the center runs a bit less.
  • For kids, shape smaller bite sized croquettes, they cook faster and are easy to eat with your hands.

What to serve it with

  • A glass of chilled dry cider
  • An extra side of dressed mâche salad
  • A dry white wine like chablis

Storage

Raw breaded croquettes freeze well for up to a month in an airtight container. Once fried, eat them right away, they don't keep and don't reheat without losing their molten center.

Questions about this recipe

Can I use a different cheese instead of camembert?

Brie works well, it has a similar texture and melts just as nicely when fried. Avoid firmer cheeses, they won't get soft enough inside the breading.

Why bread the croquettes twice?

The double layer of breadcrumbs forms a thicker, sturdier crust that holds up better against the heat of the oil. Without it, the cheese can break through the crust and leak out while frying.

How do I check the oil is hot enough without a thermometer?

Drop a small piece of bread into the oil, it should sizzle and float back up right away. If the oil is smoking, it's too hot and the breading will burn before the center melts.

How should I plate the croquettes for a dinner party?

Arrange the croquettes on a platter with the fig jam served separately in a small bowl so everyone can help themselves. Add the dressed mâche on the side for some freshness next to the warm cheese.

Can fried camembert croquettes with fig jam be made ahead?

Yes, it's even recommended. The recipe needs 40 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 3 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 2 steps.

How long does it take to make fried camembert croquettes with fig jam?

Allow 4 h in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 40 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "medium".

How many calories are in fried camembert croquettes with fig jam?

About 450 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does fried camembert croquettes with fig jam cost?

About €2.50 per person, that's €15.00 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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