Air fryer chicken croquettes are crispy outside and creamy on the inside thanks to a classic roux. They’re perfect for a snack or appetizer, and a great way to repurpose leftover chicken!
2Ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into cubes or strips(optional)
For the Breading
⅓Cupall purpose flour
2Largeeggs(beaten)
1 ½Cupspanko breadcrumbs
Olive oil spray(or similar)
Instructions
Melt the butter in a saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add the flour and cook for about 1 minute, until thickened
3 Tbsp butter, 3 Tbsp all purpose flour
Slowly add in your milk or half and half, stirring constantly to incorporate. Cook for about 5 minutes, until it starts to thicken (if you pull a spoon across the pan, it should take a few seconds to fill in)
1 Cup milk
Remove from heat. Add in all seasonings and cooked chicken and stir to combine, then set aside to cool (20-30 minutes in the refrigerator is ideal to make it easier to handle)
2 Cups cooked chicken, ½ Tsp salt, ½ Tsp black pepper, 1 Tsp dried parsley, 1 Tsp onion powder, 1 Tsp garlic powder
Prepare a dredging station (use shallow bowls or plates) of flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs. I season each with a little salt and pepper
⅓ Cup all purpose flour, 2 Large eggs, 1 ½ Cups panko breadcrumbs
Start with about 1 ½ Tbsp of your cooled chicken mixture. Push a block of cheese into the center of it, and then form a ball or cylinder shape around the cheese (I prefer a cylinder for croquettes). If the mixture is too soft, chill it for longer
2 Ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into cubes or strips
Roll your croquette into the flour, then the eggs, and then finally in the panko breadcrumbs, making sure to coat it well through every step
Place coated croquettes into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer, with a little air space between them, then spray the tops with a little oil spray
Olive oil spray
Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 10 minutes, pausing halfway through to flip the croquettes and reapply oil, or until they are golden brown
Cool for a minute or two to make transferring them easier. Serve hot, with dipping sauce if desired (I like Dijon mustard)
Notes
You can use any type of cooked chicken you like - ground, shredded, or even canned. Leftover meatballs ground up work too! I like to use a food processor to chop it up finely
This recipe uses a roux (mixture of butter and flour) for the binder, as is traditional. If you don’t have a stove to make the roux, you can use an egg + about ¼ cup of breadcrumbs, or use about 1 cup of leftover prepared mashed potatoes instead! Note the interior texture will be slightly different with each option
All seasonings are adjustable to taste (or omittable if you don’t like something). Chives and dill are other good options in place of the parsley
Stuffing with cheese is entirely optional, but I think it adds a fun touch! I like mozzarella with chicken croquettes, but you can use your favorite
Be careful when flipping them, as they will soften a bit during cooking (but that’s what makes them oh so creamy and delicious)!
I made mine in a Ninja Air Fryer and they were perfectly browned after 10 minutes, without preheating. Other air fryers may vary in terms of needed time, so add extra time in 1-minute increments as needed to achieve the desired level of browning
This recipe makes about 16 log-shaped croquettes. However, if you make a different size or shape, your total quantity may vary
Store leftover chicken croquettes (once cooled) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. For longer term storage, freeze individually on a baking sheet, then pile them into a bag and store for 2-3 months
To reheat chicken croquettes, air fry at 350°F for about 5 minutes, until warmed through and re-crisped. Exact time may vary by air fryer and thickness of your specific croquettes. If reheating from frozen, add an additional 3-4 minutes to account for the frozen state
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, size of croquettes, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only