How To Cook Ham Croquettes In Air Fryer

If you’re a fan of crispy and flavorful croquettes, then you’re in for a treat with this recipe. In this article, we’ll show you how to make delicious ham croquettes using an air fryer. These crispy bites are perfect as an appetizer, snack or even a main course. With the help of an air fryer, you can achieve that perfect golden crust without the need for deep frying.

Why use an air fryer?

One of the greatest advantages of using an air fryer is that it significantly reduces the amount of oil used compared to traditional deep frying. This means you can enjoy your favorite fried foods with a fraction of the calories and fat. Plus, air frying is a much healthier cooking method as it doesn’t involve submerging the food in oil. The hot air circulation in the air fryer cooks the food evenly and gives it a crispy texture.

So, let’s get started with the recipe for ham croquettes in an air fryer!

Preparing the Ham Croquettes

To prepare the ham croquettes in the air fryer, follow these simple instructions:

Pull apart the slices of ham and set them aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the pulled ham, breadcrumbs, eggs, grated cheese, minced onion, chopped parsley, and garlic powder.
Using your hands, mix all the ingredients together until fully combined.
Shape the mixture into small cylindrical croquettes, about 2 inches long and 1 inch in diameter.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
Place the ham croquettes in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them.
Lightly spray or brush the croquettes with olive oil to help them crisp up.
Set the air fryer to cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping the croquettes halfway through cooking.
Once the croquettes are golden brown and crispy on the outside, remove them from the air fryer.
Allow the ham croquettes to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Enjoy these delicious ham croquettes as an appetizer, snack, or even as a main dish with a side of dipping sauce!

Selecting the Ingredients

To make delicious ham croquettes in an air fryer, it’s important to have the right ingredients. Here are the key ingredients you will need:

Ham:

Choose a high-quality cooked ham for this recipe. Make sure it’s boneless and diced into small pieces. You can purchase pre-diced ham from the supermarket or dice it yourself at home.

Potatoes:

Use starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for best results. These types of potatoes have a high starch content, which helps to bind the croquettes together. Peel and boil the potatoes until they are soft and easily mashable.

Breadcrumbs:

Breadcrumbs are essential for creating a crispy outer layer for the croquettes. You can use regular breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs, depending on your preference. If you want a gluten-free option, you can also use almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Eggs:

Eggs are used as a binding agent for the croquettes. They help to hold the ingredients together and give the croquettes a nice texture. Make sure to beat the eggs before adding them to the mixture.

Seasonings:

Add flavor to your ham croquettes by using seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. You can also add herbs like parsley or chives for a fresh and aromatic touch.

By carefully selecting these ingredients, you can ensure that your ham croquettes turn out crispy, flavorful, and utterly delicious.

Shredding the Ham

To make ham croquettes, you will need to first shred the ham. Start by selecting a cooked ham, such as a leftover holiday ham or a pre-cooked ham from the grocery store. Using a sharp knife, slice the ham into thin strips or small cubes.

Alternatively, you can also use a food processor to quickly and easily shred the ham. Simply cut the ham into smaller chunks and pulse it in the food processor until it reaches the desired shredded consistency. Be sure not to overprocess the ham, as it can turn into a paste.

Shredding the ham creates a more uniform texture and allows it to mix well with the other ingredients in the croquette mixture. It also helps the croquettes cook evenly in the air fryer, resulting in a deliciously crispy exterior and a tender interior.

Tip: If you prefer a finer texture, you can shred the ham using a box grater or a cheese grater.

Note: If you don’t have any cooked ham on hand, you can also use deli ham or leftover ham from sandwiches. Simply chop or shred the ham into smaller pieces before using in the croquette mixture.

Mixing the Ingredients

Before you start mixing the ingredients for your ham croquettes, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

2 cups of cooked ham, finely chopped
1 cup of breadcrumbs
1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup of chopped onion
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
1/4 cup of chopped parsley
2 eggs, beaten
Salt and pepper to taste

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ham, breadcrumbs, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onion, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, chopped parsley, beaten eggs, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Use your hands or a wooden spoon to thoroughly mix all the ingredients together until well combined.

Note: If the mixture feels too dry, you can add a tablespoon or two of milk to moisten it. Conversely, if the mixture is too wet, you can add more breadcrumbs.

Once the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This will help the mixture firm up, making it easier to shape into croquettes later on.

Pro tip: If you want to save time, you can mix the ingredients the night before and refrigerate the mixture overnight.

Shaping and Coating the Croquettes

Once the ham mixture is chilled and firm, it’s time to shape the croquettes. Start by taking a scoopful of the ham mixture and forming it into a small log shape, about 2 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. Repeat this process with the remaining ham mixture.

Next, prepare your coating ingredients. In a shallow dish, whisk together the breadcrumbs, flour, salt, and pepper. In another shallow dish, beat the eggs. Set both dishes side by side for easy access.

Dip each ham croquette into the beaten eggs, making sure it’s fully coated. Then, roll the croquette in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing down lightly to ensure it adheres to the surface. Place the coated croquettes on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Repeat this process with the remaining croquettes until all are coated and ready for frying.

Using an air fryer, preheat it to 400°F (200°C). Once preheated, place the coated croquettes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them.

Cook the croquettes in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Flip them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.

Once done, carefully remove the ham croquettes from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving platter. Serve hot as an appetizer or snack, and enjoy the delicious, crispy exterior with the flavorful ham filling.

Forming the Croquettes

Once the ham mixture is chilled and firm, it’s time to form the croquettes. Follow these steps to achieve perfectly shaped and uniform croquettes:

1. Prepare the breading station

Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place all-purpose flour. In the second bowl, beat eggs until well mixed. In the third bowl, combine bread crumbs and any additional seasonings or herbs of your choice.

2. Scoop the ham mixture

Using a spoon or a small ice cream scoop, portion out a scoop of the chilled ham mixture. Aim for uniform portions so that the croquettes will cook evenly.

3. Shape the croquettes

Roll the portioned ham mixture between the palms of your hands to form a cylindrical shape. Gently press and shape until you achieve an even and compact form. Repeat this process with the remaining ham mixture.

4. Coat the croquettes

Working one croquette at a time, carefully dip it into the flour, ensuring all sides are coated. Shake off any excess flour. Next, dip the coated croquette into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat the croquette with the bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs to the surface. Place the coated croquette on a clean plate or baking sheet, and repeat with the remaining croquettes.

Once all the croquettes are formed and coated, they are ready to be cooked in the air fryer. Follow the cooking instructions in the recipe to achieve crispy, golden-brown ham croquettes.

Questions and Answers

What are ham croquettes?

Ham croquettes are a delicious appetizer made with cooked ham, béchamel sauce, and breadcrumbs. They are typically shaped into small cylinders and fried until crispy on the outside.

Can I cook ham croquettes in an air fryer?

Yes, you can definitely cook ham croquettes in an air fryer. It’s a healthier alternative to deep frying as the air fryer uses little to no oil. The result is still crispy and delicious ham croquettes.

What ingredients do I need for ham croquettes?

To make ham croquettes, you will need cooked ham, butter, all-purpose flour, milk, salt, pepper, nutmeg, breadcrumbs, eggs, and oil or cooking spray for frying. Some recipes may also include additional seasonings or herbs for extra flavor.