Tuna Croquettes

Tuna Croquettes Recipe

Hello! We are going to prepare some delicious tuna croquettes, a simple and flavorful dish that you can enjoy at any time. These croquettes combine the smoothness of mashed potato with the characteristic flavor of tuna, forming a perfect mix for an appetizer or a quick meal. Furthermore, they are ideal for those looking for something homemade and nutritious in a short time.

Preparation time

This dish is quick and practical, ideal for home cooks with little time.

• Preparation: 10 minutes
• Cooking: 20 minutes
• Total: 30 minutes
• Servings: 12 croquettes
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the croquettes

• 2 cans of light tuna in water or your preferred (approximately 5 oz each)
• 1 large potato (russet type), peeled and diced
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 cup breadcrumbs or panko
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• Avocado, grapeseed, or vegetable oil for frying (½ cup)
• Olive oil for spreading on the croquettes (optional)

If you don't have russet potatoes, you can use yellow potatoes, which are creamier, or even sweet potatoes, although this will slightly change the flavor and texture. Panko breadcrumbs provide a crispier texture, but traditional breadcrumbs work perfectly.

Utensils we will use

• Pot for cooking the potato
• Frying pan or deep frying pan for frying
• Colander for draining the potato
• Large mixing bowl
• Knife and cutting board for cutting the potato
• Spoon and spatula for mixing and shaping
• Plate or tray for placing the croquettes before frying
• Absorbent paper to remove excess oil

Preparation

1. Cook the potato

1. Wash and peel the potato: Wash the potato under the tap to remove dirt and grime, then peel it with a peeler or knife.
2. Cut into cubes: Cut into uniform pieces of approximately 2 cm so they cook evenly.
3. Boil: Place the potato in a pot with water and a pinch of salt, and cook over medium heat until tender when pierced with a fork, approximately 15 minutes.
4. Drain and mash: Drain the water and mash the potato with a fork or potato masher while it is hot to avoid lumps.

2. Prepare the croquette mixture

1. Drain and flake the tuna: Remove as much liquid as possible from the cans and flake the tuna with a fork.
2. Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the mashed potato, tuna, beaten egg, salt, pepper, and ¾ cup of breadcrumbs to start.
3. Adjust the texture: If the mixture is too wet, add more breadcrumbs little by little until it has a moldable and non-sticky consistency.

3. Form and bread the croquettes

1. Form croquettes: Take portions of the mixture and form balls or ovals of the desired size, generally between 4 and 6 cm long.
2. Bread: Roll each croquette in breadcrumbs to create an even coating that will help them become very crispy.
3. Add oil (optional): You can lightly brush with olive oil to improve browning if desired.

4. Fry the croquettes

1. Heat oil: In a frying pan, heat ½ cup of oil over medium-high heat; it should be hot but not smoking.
2. Fry croquettes: Carefully place the croquettes and fry them in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking each side until golden brown, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
3. Drain excess: Remove the croquettes and place them on absorbent paper to remove excess oil.

To finish and serve

Once ready, you can remove any leftover leaves or ingredients if necessary and adjust the seasoning with a little more salt or pepper to taste. Serve the croquettes hot, accompanied by a lemon mayonnaise or tartar sauce. They are also greatly enjoyed with a side of fresh salad or white rice. They are a perfect option for an appetizer, a snack, or a light meal. For a different touch, accompany them with some Delicious Croquettes of other flavors or with appetizers like Spinach and Carrot Fritters.

I want to share these tips with you

• Consistent mixture: If your mixture is too soft and you can't form the croquettes, add more breadcrumbs little by little to prevent them from falling apart when frying.
• Hot mashed potato: Mash the potato while it is still hot to prevent the mixture from being lumpy and to improve the final texture.
• Oil temperature: Make sure the oil is hot enough so that the croquettes do not absorb excess fat, but without burning.
• Form uniform croquettes: Try to make the croquettes similar in size for even cooking.
• Prior preparation and freezing: You can prepare the croquettes up to the breading step, freeze them on a baking sheet with parchment paper for 4 hours, and then store them in a bag to use them whenever you want.

Nutritional Information

• Calories: 210 kcal per serving (3 croquettes)
• Protein: 14 g
• Fats: 10 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients and the size of the croquettes.

5 keys to make it perfect

1. Drain the tuna well: It is essential to remove excess liquid so that the croquettes are not liquid and difficult to handle.
2. Lump-free mashed potato: Mash the potato while still hot and check it so that no large pieces remain that would spoil the texture.
3. Balance texture: Gradually incorporate breadcrumbs to achieve a firm dough that can be molded without falling apart.
4. Oil heat: Keep the oil at medium-high temperature so they brown evenly without absorbing too much oil.
5. Rest before frying: If time allows, let the croquettes rest in the fridge for 15 minutes so they compact and better maintain their shape when fried.

When is it ideal to enjoy it?

Tuna croquettes are ideal for family celebrations and tapas at casual gatherings. Their size makes them perfect for sharing and combining with different sauces. They are also an excellent option for a quick lunch on summer days when you don't want to cook complicated dishes. Thanks to their pleasant flavor and texture, they can be perfect as an appetizer or even a light main course. Anytime you're looking for Tuna Flavor authentic without complications, these croquettes will save the day.

Comparison table

Share your experience

Cooking is for experimenting and sharing. When preparing these croquettes, don't hesitate to try additional ingredients like sautéed onion or a spicy touch to make your unique version of Tasty Tuna. Did they turn out crispy or do you prefer to use an air fryer? Comment on how the recipe turned out for you and what new tricks you discovered. Your opinion can help others enjoy these Croquettes from the Sea as much as you do.

Culinary glossary

• Bread: To coat a food with breadcrumbs or another dry ingredient to then fry or bake it.
• Mashed potato: Cooked potato mashed until it forms a smooth paste.
• Breadcrumbs: Dry bread crumbs used to give a crispy texture.
• Fry: To cook a food by submerging it in hot oil.
• Moldable consistency: Texture that allows forming shapes without the dough falling apart or becoming too sticky.

If you want to see a step-by-step tutorial to prepare similar croquettes, this video is a great visual aid so you don't miss any details.

This second video shows techniques to make your croquettes crispy with a soft interior.