We always have leftover mashed potatoes especially after a big holiday meal and this is the tastiest way to repurpose those potatoes for another meal or snack.
Did I mention these are a healthier alternative also, and still as delicious as fried in oil used to be?
The recipe is very basic and I only added 4 extra ingredients to the already prepared mashed potatoes so you can see how simple this is going to be.
Croquettes are soft and savory on the inside, and crunchy on the outside in every bite!
For those, not a potato lover you may even try our recipe for Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes a perfect alternative.
If you're a big potato fan don't miss trying our Garlic Style Mashed Potatoes and don't miss our many suggestions for meat lovers with our favorite mix-ins for leftover mashed potatoes like cooked crumbled bacon!.
With the addition of egg, grated cheese, and rolled-in panko bread crumbs you'll be on your way to a quick crunchy appetizer or snack in around 14 minutes.
Scroll down to the recipe card to print off on how to make these Air Fryer Potato Croquettes and easy recipe instructions.
Potato Croquettes are Great for Snacking On
Sometimes watching tv late at night these are just a perfect snack instead of reaching for that bag of salt and vinegar potato chips or candy bar.
We've even heated up a little melted cheese to dip these in or a Tomato Marinara Sauce both yummy for these croquettes when serving them as a side dish at dinner.
The easiest quickest way to make these in no time is to use a store-bought container of premade mashed potatoes just make sure they're not the instant kind of mashed potatoes the flavor isn't the same.
These have so much less fat but are just as tasty. So are you ready to learn how to make Air Fryer potato croquettes?
Ingredients You Will Need
- leftover mashed potatoes homemade or store-bought
- egg
- Pecorino Romano cheese
- Italian seasoned panko breadcrumbs
- olive oil or butter brushed on the basket or on foil
- Optional: granulated garlic powder and chopped parsley
- see below for additions to the potato mixture in the recipe card
Optional Additions
- diced pepper
- loose cooked hot Italian sausage
- sliced pepperoni or cubed
- hot peppers
- onions sliced
- shredded provolone, mozzarella cheese, or another cheese you prefer
- sliced eggplant
- diced tomatoes
- shredded or wedges of zucchini
- dip in marinara sauce or melted cheese
- chopped fresh spinach or chopped cooked escarole
- broccoli rabe
- mushrooms
- diced peppers
- chopped broccoli
- julienned cabbage
- add any of these to the potato mixture
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A Few Tips
- If you're making a mashed potatoes recipe from scratch I highly recommend using regular potatoes not instant for the right consistency.
- The recipe can be adapted to any additions you prefer just remember to make sure meats are cooked first and you drain the grease.
- Croquettes cook quickly since they are premade but we prefer them crunchy and every air fryer is different so watch them carefully at the 11-minute mark for how brown they are.
- Always brush the basket with the cooking oil that you're using and brush the tops of the croquettes lightly with cooking oil.
- Regular sprays can damaged the basket so it is advised to brush on cooking oil or butter instead of using spray cans of oil
Air Fryer Panko Crusted Potato Croquettes
Yield: 6
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 11 MinTotal time: 21 Min
Air Fried and healthy potato croquettes are great for repurposing mashed potatoes for a new side dish, appetizer, or snack quick, easy, and delicious!
Ingredients
- 2 -1/2 to 3 cups of leftover mashed potatoes
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese or Parmesan
- 2 cups Panko Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- cooking oil or butter brushed on the basket and top of the croquettes
- Optional: 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder or 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 tablespoon dried or fresh parsley
- see notes for add-in's
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to the highest temperature for 4 minutes.
- I set mine to 425 degrees.
- Place the breadcrumbs in a pie plate and set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl mix together the potatoes, egg, and cheese.
- Note: If you are adding any of the optional ingredients listed IE granulated garlic, parsley, meats, or vegetables, add them to the potato mixture. Refer to the notes.
- Shape each croquette into any shape you prefer we usually do logs or balls then roll into the panko breadcrumbs and place on oil sprayed foil.
- Complete all potato croquettes and using potholders on the warmed basket, carefully slide them onto your oil sprayed air fryer basket.
- I spray the tops of the croquettes with oil spray.
- Set the timer to 11 minutes in the preheated 425-degree air fryer
- Watch them carefully we like them very crunchy and dark.
- Check them at 6 minutes and continue to air fry to your preference.
- Serve these hot plain or use marinara sauce or melted cheese sauce on the side.
Notes:
Add 1/2 cup of one or a mixture of any to your potatoes:
- diced pepper
- loose cooked hot Italian sausage
- sliced pepperoni or cubed
- hot peppers
- onions sliced
- shredded provolone, mozzarella cheese or another cheese you prefer
- sliced eggplant
- diced tomatoes
- shredded or wedges of zucchini
- dip in marinara sauce or melted cheese
- chopped fresh spinach or chopped cooked escarole
- broccoli rabe
- mushrooms
- diced peppers
- chopped broccoli
- julienned cabbage
- minced parsley, basil or rosemary
- minced garlic
A Few Tips
- If you're making a mashed potatoes recipe from scratch I highly recommend using regular potatoes not instant for the right consistency.
- The recipe can be adapted to any additions you prefer just remember to make sure meats are cooked first and you drain the grease.
- Croquettes cook quickly since they are premade but we prefer them crunchy and every air fryer is different so watch them carefully at the 11-minute mark for how brown they are.
- Always brush the basket with the cooking oil that you're using and brush the tops of the croquettes lightly with cooking oil.
- Regular sprays can damage the basket so it is advised to brush on cooking oil or butter instead of using spray cans of oil
Nutrition Facts
Calories
396.77Fat (grams)
11.15Sat. Fat (grams)
3.50Carbs (grams)
59.55Fiber (grams)
4.31Net carbs
55.24Sugar (grams)
5.09Protein (grams)
13.88Sodium (milligrams)
1038.59Cholesterol (grams)
45.55
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More Recipes To Try:
Best Potato Side Dishes
Air Fried Home Fries
Loaded Boiled Potatoes
Twice Baked Potatoes
