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Vegetarian, Busy evenings

Mashed potato croquettes with salad

Mashed potato croquettes with salad is a vegetarian dish for 4 people, ready in 40 minutes, rated easy, for about €1.20 per person. The key to success is chilling the mashed potatoes until firm, so they shape easily and brown evenly in the pan.

Yesterday's mashed potatoes turn into golden cheesy croquettes, and nobody will guess it's leftovers.

Mashed potato croquettes with salad
Total time
40 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€1.20
Calories per person
530 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter
The kids
They generally like it

A good croquette is all about contrast, crisp on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside, with a thread of melted emmental when you cut it open. Chives and nutmeg lift mashed potatoes that could otherwise taste plain, while the cheese adds a baked, golden note everyone at the table will notice.

This is the dish to make on a weeknight when you have leftover mashed potatoes from the day before, no one will guess it started as leftovers. Kids love picking them up and biting in, the price per person stays low, and a simple green salad is all you need to round out the plate.

The ingredients

4 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Mashed potatoes 700 g
  • Chives 1 sprigs
  • Green salad 1

Dairy

  • Shredded emmental cheese 100 g
  • Eggs 3
  • Butter 30 g

Pantry

  • Breadcrumbsoften in the pantry 100 g
  • Flouroften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Vinaigretteoften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Nutmegoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs

The step by step recipe

  1. Mix the cold mashed potatoes with the cheese, one egg, chives, nutmeg, salt and pepper.

    Taste as you go, the mash should be well seasoned.

  2. Shape the mixture into small log shaped croquettes.

    Flour your hands first, the mash will stop sticking to your fingers.

  3. Coat each croquette in flour, then in the two beaten eggs, then in breadcrumbs.

    Keep one hand for dry ingredients and one for wet, your fingers stay clean.

  4. Fry the croquettes in the oil and butter over medium heat. 10 min

    Turn them gently with two spoons.

  5. Drain on paper towels and serve with the dressed salad.

    You can pop them in the oven for five minutes to keep them extra crisp.

Our tips to get it right

  • Use mash that is fairly thick, not watery, otherwise the croquettes will flatten out while cooking.
  • Shape all your croquettes before you start breading them, so your hands don't get coated in sticky crumbs halfway through.
  • Let the breaded croquettes rest in the fridge for ten minutes before cooking, the coating holds together better once fried.

The variations

  • Swap the emmental for gruyere or shredded mozzarella for a stretchier, melty center.
  • Stir diced ham into the mash for a heartier version, or keep the recipe as is to stay vegetarian.
  • For a quicker batch, shape smaller croquettes, they cook faster and work well as bite sized pieces for kids.

What to serve it with

  • A sharply dressed green salad
  • Homemade tomato sauce
  • A drinkable yogurt for kids

Storage

Cooked croquettes keep for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. You can also freeze them raw and breaded, then cook them straight from frozen with a few extra minutes of cooking time. Reheat in a pan or oven to keep them crisp, the microwave will make them soft.

Questions about this dish

Can you make these croquettes with store bought mashed potatoes?

Yes, as long as it's thick enough once chilled. Watery mash will make the croquettes fall apart while cooking, so let it thicken in the fridge first.

Can you prepare the croquettes ahead of time?

Yes, you can shape and bread them the day before, then keep them covered in the fridge. They'll be just as easy to fry the next evening.

Can you bake the croquettes instead of frying them?

Yes, place them on an oiled baking sheet and bake around 20 minutes at 200 degrees, flipping halfway through. They'll be a bit less golden than fried ones but lighter on fat.

How do you keep the croquettes from falling apart while cooking?

The secret is chilling the mash until firm before shaping, and making sure the breading fully covers each croquette. Warm or soft mash will struggle to hold its shape.

How long does it take to make mashed potato croquettes with a side salad?

Count 40 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in mashed potato croquettes with a side salad?

About 530 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does mashed potato croquettes with a side salad cost?

About €1.20 per serving, or €4.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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