Air Fryer Stuffed Potato Croquettes

Whether shaped into cylinders or rolled into bite-sized spheres, these Air Fryer Stuffed Potato Croquettes deliver all the satisfaction a potato lover could ask for. Much like many great potato dishes, they offer the best of both worlds. Starting with a golden, crispy crunch that gives way to a cheesy and creamy center that just melts in your mouth.

With so many ways to enjoy potatoes, it’s hard to pick a favorite. If you’ve been on this site for a while, you’ve probably noticed by now just how much I love potatoes! But of all of them, Potato Croquette has been one that I can’t resist making. As someone who never says no to cheese and cheese, this croquette is a small indulgence I never tire of. It’s the kind of comfort food that appeals to all ages and occasions. Here’s how to make your own Air Fryer Stuffed Potato Croquettes.

What Makes These Air Fryer Stuffed Potato Croquettes So Addictive

These Air Fryer Stuffed Potato Croquettes aren’t just tasty, flavorful and delicious. There’s a whole list of reasons they keep popping back into my head.

Crispy, creamy and cheesy: This recipe brings together three textures that make these potato croquettes so addictive. Each bite greets you with a satisfying crunch before giving way to creamy potato and gooey melted cheese inside.

Easy to make, less mess: Stuffed Potato Croquettes are definitely one of my favorites, but I’m not gonna lie, making these at home and deep frying them can be pretty annoying. Greasy odor lingers on the clothes and around the kitchen, and splattering oil could make everything messy. But with an air fryer, all you have to do is to prepare the croquettes, use the air fryer and you’re done!

Healthier: Besides potato being healthy as is, using an air fryer to cook potato croquettes means it is much healthier. It only takes a few sprays of oil to achieve that crispy, golden brown exterior that will make you come back for more.

Ingredients

Here are all the ingredients that you will need to make the best Air Fryer Potato Croquettes!

Potato: You cannot have potato croquettes without potatoes of course. Best options for potato croquettes are Russet Potatoes and Yukon Gold as they have a relatively higher amount of starch than other types.

Egg: Egg’s purpose in this dish is to act as binder and coating for the croquette.

Bell pepper: For extra color, nutrients and sweetness.

Seasonings: Remember not to skip seasoning! Doing so makes your croquettes bland. Add garlic powder, salt and pepper.

Mozzarella: Mozzarella cheese goes inside the croquette.

Parsley: Freshly chopped parsley adds green specks in the potato balls, and incorporates a peppery taste.

Panko breadcrumbs and flour: Panko breadcrumbs and flour make up the coating of the croquettes. This is what you need to pull off that extra crispy outer shell.

How to make stuffed potato croquette

When preparing Air Fryer Stuffed Potato Croquettes, there are a few important steps to follow. Some of these are critical, as poorly shaped croquettes can easily fall apart during cooking.

• Peel the potatoes and cut them into large, even-sized chunks. Boiling whole potatoes, especially large ones takes much longer, so slicing them speeds up the process. Just make sure each chunk is roughly the same size to ensure even cooking.
• Fill a pot with cold water, then add the potatoes along with a generous pinch of salt and a clove of garlic. There should be enough water to fully cover the potatoes.
• Bring to a boil on high heat, then simmer for about 20 minutes until it’s soft enough. Use a fork to check if it’s tender. If it pierces through, it’s done.
• Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. If a fork pierces through easily, they’re done.
• Drain well to remove excess water, as too much moisture in the potatoes can reduce the crispiness of your croquettes.
• Transfer the drained potatoes to a large mixing bowl while they’re still warm. Using a masher or fork, mash them thoroughly until they become smooth and fluffy, with no visible lumps remaining. Allow the mashed potatoes to cool for a few minutes.
• Stir in the beaten egg, chopped fresh parsley, grated Parmesan cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano, salt, black pepper, chopped bell pepper, and garlic powder. Mix until the mixture is uniform and firm. Adjust the flavor to your liking by adding more seasoning if needed. If the mixture feels too soft, you can add one to two teaspoons of flour to help firm it up.

• Lightly oil your hands before molding the mashed potatoes into balls. This helps prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands, making the process quicker and less messy. And of course, don’t forget to wash your hands first!
• Scoop out the potato mixture using a spoon or ice cream scoop for even portions. Place the mixture in your hand and gently shape it into a ball by rolling it between your palms.
• Take one portion of the mashed potato mixture and gently flatten it on the center of your palm, creating a small disc. Place a cube of mozzarella cheese in the middle, then carefully wrap the potato mixture around it, sealing the edges to enclose the cheese completely. Roll it back into a smooth ball, making sure there are no cracks or openings.
• Start by coating each potato ball in flour that has been lightly seasoned with paprika. Then, dip the floured ball into the beaten egg, making sure it’s fully coated. Finally, Finally, roll it in panko breadcrumbs. You can dip the croquette again in egg and breadcrumbs to make it extra crunchy.

• Pop the croquettes in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Yeah, it adds a bit of wait time, but please don’t skip it. This helps them firm up so they’re easier to work with and won’t fall apart while cooking.

• Preheat air fryer to 190°C or 375°F for five minutes.
• Carefully arrange the potato croquettes in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, making sure there’s a bit of space between each one so the hot air can circulate properly. Don’t stack or overcrowd them. Once they’re in place, lightly spray them with oil on all sides.
• Set the air fryer to 12 minutes and flip the croquettes halfway through so they cook nice and even. Every air fryer’s a bit different, so if they’re not golden and crispy by the end, just give them a few more minutes until they look right.

• Place on a plate, garnish with fresh parsley and parmesan cheese, then serve!

Estimated Nutrition

Note: The nutrition details provided are based on general calculations and may not reflect exact results. Actual values can differ depending on the ingredients used, portion sizes, and how the food is prepared. Use this as a general guide, not a medical or dietary recommendation.

Check out more Air Fryer recipes!