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Home » Recipes » Ham and Cheese Potato Croquettes

Ham and Cheese Potato Croquettes

Published on February 16, 2020, Updated August 26, 2020 by Kristin Maxwell | 12 Comments

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Potato Croquettes are golden fried mashed potato balls loaded with ham and cheese. They are crispy, tasty and a great way to use up leftovers after the holidays!

We definitely love our mashed potatoes and baked ham for the holidays. But with our favorite dishes comes a dilemma. What to do with the leftovers? Luckily I’ve got just the thing for using up leftover holiday ham and mashed potatoes – Fry up some crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside ham and cheese potato croquettes!

a close up of a stack of potato croquettes

Potato Croquettes with Ham and Cheese

Last Christmas I served a honeybaked ham for our holiday feast. I also fixed a lot of delicious (but filling) side dishes like Cheesy Potatoes, Corn Casserole and One Hour Dinner Rolls so we ended up with a ton of leftover ham. We were over the ham sandwiches after eating them for a couple of meals, so I was determined to find something totally different that I could get my kids to eat.

I surveyed my fridge and pulled out the leftover mashed potatoes, ham, cheese and some fresh chives. Ham and Cheese Potato Croquettes for the win!

What are Croquettes?

Potato croquettes are a small plate sort of appetizer or snack, made from mashed potatoes that can also be served as a main course with a fresh garden salad. They usually include cheese and a salty protein, like ham or bacon with a binder, in this case flour, to hold them together. Croquettes are formed into a thick disk shape and fried in oil until they are golden and crispy all around.

process steps images for making mashed potato croquettes

How to Make Potato Croquettes

This recipe assumes you have some leftover mashed potatoes on hand, but other than that the ingredients are super simple to get. It’s also very versatile so you can get creative with the ingredients.

  • Mashed potatoes – When I cook mashed potatoes, I keep them pretty thick and with a little bit of a lumpy texture which is perfect for these potato croquettes. My Cheesy Mashed potatoes will also work really well and you wouldn’t have to add in extra cheese. In a pinch, grab some mashed taters from the deli on your next grocery run.
  • Ham – The ham can be leftover from your holiday feast, a ham steak from the meat department or even thinly sliced deli ham. Chop it up into very small pieces.
  • Cheese – Play around with your favorite cheese. Cheddar or swiss are classic pairings with ham, but parmesan or gruyere would also be fantastic.
  • Flour – This is the binder that will hold the potato croquettes together but you won’t be able to taste it. If your potatoes are more on the creamy or thin side, you’ll need to use more flour. If you’re having trouble even then, you can add in an egg to help bind them together better.
  • Chives – The fresh herbs are added for a little color and flavor. Green onions can be substituted.
  • Oil for frying – Choose a flavorless oil that has a high smoke point, like canola or vegetable oil. Fill the skillet about a quarter of an inch high. You don’t want to soak the croquettes in oil, but it should be just high enough to reach up the sides of each piece.

a stack of potato croquettes with one broken in half on top

Helpful Tips and FAQs

  • Can you bake the croquettes instead of frying them? You can, but you won’t get that golden exterior unless you coat them in breadcrumbs. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Form the croquettes as directed, then dip them in a whisked egg wash and then in breadcrumbs. Lay out on the baking sheet, not touching, and bake for 15 minutes until golden.
  • Make ahead of time – Make the potato mixture and form the croquettes, then lay them out on a parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze for an hour, then transfer pieces to a plastic freezer bag. Freeze up to 6 months. Do not thaw – fry as directed from frozen.
  • Mashed potatoes can become very gummy and starchy when overmixed so I recommend mixing the croquette mixture using your hands.
  • These can be formed into a disk shape or balls, your choice. For balls, be prepared to flip them around to fry evenly.
  • Serve with ranch dressing or even a barbecue flavored ranch for dipping.

a hand holding a potato croquette being dipped into an orange sauce

Potato side dishes for the win!

Ham and Cheese Potato Croquettes are great as a side dish, a snack or even a main course. Leftover mashed potatoes are also fantastic as a topping for Turkey Shepherd’s Pie.

If potatoes are your carb of choice too, you should definitely try our Breakfast Potatoes, Roasted Red Potatoes and the best Baked Potatoes.

Ham and Cheese Potato Croquettes

Kristin Maxwell
Potato Croquettes are crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside and a great way to use up leftovers!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Main Dish, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 7 servings
Calories 318 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
  • 1 cup finely diced ham
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons thinly sliced chives
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour plus more for your hands
  • ½ cup vegetable or canola oil for frying

Instructions
 

  • Add mashed potatoes, ham, cheese, garlic powder, chives and ½ cup flour to a large bowl. Stir together with a wooden spoon until combined.
  • Lightly flour your hands and divide the potato mixture into 16 small flat disks, about half an inch thick. TIP - use a cookie scoop to get perfectly even portions.
  • Heat oil in a heavy bottomed skillet (I recommend cast iron if you have it). TIP - you can test if the oil is hot enough by sprinkling a few drops of water in. If they sizzle, it’s ready.
  • Fry the croquettes in batches, flipping once, about 4 minutes per side until golden. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate. TIP - don’t crowd the pan; leave space between each croquette so they crisp all around.
  • Cool 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Add a little more flour if they aren’t holding together well enough. Judge the amount of oil based on your pan. They shouldn’t be completely immersed in oil, but there should be enough to crisp all around.

Nutrition

Serving: 2piecesCalories: 318kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 9gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 331mgPotassium: 214mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 199IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 121mgIron: 1mg
Keyword potato croquettes
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About Kristin Maxwell

Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook. Read more about Kristin HERE.

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  1. Leslie says

    January 9, 2021 at 11:32 am

    I was wondering… Have you ever baked them?

    Reply
    • Kristin Maxwell says

      January 9, 2021 at 9:40 pm

      I haven’t. I hesitate to recommend it because I’m afraid they would dry out. You could certainly try it though, maybe spray them with cooking spray first.

      Reply
      • Leslie A Nye says

        January 10, 2021 at 11:17 am

        The Ham and Potato Croquettes came out perfect! Baked them at 400 degrees for 30 min. Turned them at 15min. (Half way thru) Also took your advice and sprayed them with my Misto and they were crunchy around the edges, Will make again. THANK YOU!

        Reply
        • Kristin says

          January 11, 2021 at 10:57 am

          You are so welcome Leslie! thanks for stopping by.

          Reply
  2. Nicolette Ullery says

    January 1, 2021 at 5:21 pm

    Can these be air fried?

    Reply
    • Kristin Maxwell says

      January 3, 2021 at 1:36 am

      Oh I haven’t tried them in the air fryer but that’s a great idea!

      Reply
  3. Mary says

    December 29, 2020 at 6:16 am

    Can you freeze these?

    Reply
    • Kristin Maxwell says

      December 29, 2020 at 10:49 am

      Yes! Cool them completely and freeze on lined baking sheets, then pop them off and place in freezer safe bags for up to 3 months. Thaw, then reheat in the oven.

      Reply
  4. Patricia Miller says

    December 21, 2020 at 5:32 am

    Hello, first time making these with ham, last year I used turkey. I hope you don’t mind but I am going to be adding more garlic salt, because we love garlic and I will also be adding finely chopped celery. I will let you know how the family likes them, thank you for the great start up recipe.

    Reply
    • Kristin Maxwell says

      December 23, 2020 at 5:14 pm

      Sounds delicious Patricia!

      Reply
  5. Rhonda Keelin says

    March 14, 2020 at 4:50 pm

    Growing up we called these potato pancakes… Sure went quick too..Thank you for all the good recipes. .. Have a sweet day… Smile

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      March 16, 2020 at 1:42 pm

      You are so welcome Rhonda! Thanks for stopping.

      Reply

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