Crispy Cheese Croquettes

Satisfy your craving for something crispy and gooey with these easy cheese croquettes. Bite-sized and bursting with flavor, these crispy little balls are our variation on the classic Belgian snack.

about these cheese croquettes

In Denver, there used to be a restaurant called The Cheeky Monk. Going there was a big treat for me because I would load up on mussels and fries, savor Belgian beer, and eat my weight in their cheese croquettes.

They served their cheese croquettes with a berry balsamic dipping sauce and those things were sooooooo good. I still have dreams about them… cheesy wonderful dreams full of rainbows and endless amounts of croquettes.

After they closed, I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to make some sort of replacement at home, for those nights when I am craving cheese.

If you’re like me, you’re always on the hunt for those perfect appetizers that’ll have your guests raving and reaching for seconds.

Croquettes are basically little nuggets of gooey, melty cheese, coated in a crispy, golden crust. It’s like a grilled cheese and a mozzarella stick had a love child.

These croquettes are bite-sized, so you can pop ’em in your mouth one after the other. They also happen to be really versatile – you can switch up the cheese, add some herbs, or even sneak in some veggies if you’re feeling crazy.

This recipe is super easy to make, whether you are serving the for a party, as a starter for a dinner party, or a late night snack when the cheese-craving strikes.

Note: This is an updated version of the original recipe posted on November 13, 2012. The recipe has been updated and the post has additional information including tips and tricks for making the croquettes.

ingredients

butter. Use unsalted butter for the recipe. If you use salted butter, do not season the filling with additional salt as it will make the mixture too salty.

flour. All you need is all purpose flour for the filling and the dredging station.

milk. Use your preferred milk for the recipe.

cheese. We usually use shredded mozzarella cheese, but swiss and gruyere are also great options. You can also combine any of these cheeses to make your own flavor variation!

egg. You will need one egg, as well as 2 egg yolks for this recipe.

breadcrumbs. You can use either panko breadcrumbs or fine breadcrumbs to coat these balls. We like to use fine breadcrumbs for a clean finished look!

oil. Use vegetable oil for frying these cheese croquettes!

salt and pepper. For seasoning the filling! In addition, have flaky sea salt ready for a final sprinkle after the croquettes come out of the oil.

this recipe’s must-haves

For this recipe, you will need a heavy saucepan for cooking the filling, as well as frying the cheese balls.

Be sure to have your set of mixing bowls handy too for setting up your dredging station.

here’s how to make crispy cheese croquettes

make cheese filling

Melt butter for the croquettes in a medium pan over medium heat. When the butter is melted, stir in the flour until combined. The mixture will be crumbly, and that’s ok!

Stir in 2/3 cup milk, 2 egg yolks, cheese, and salt. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the cheese has melted.

chill

Add the cheese mixture to a bowl and place in the refrigerator. Chill for at least 6 hours, up to overnight.

dredge

In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg and 1/4 cup milk in a small bowl. To a separate bowl, add flour. In another bowl add breadcrumbs.

Dredge the cheese balls in flour, then egg mixture, and then breadcrumbs.

fry

Deep fry the balls in a pan of hot oil for about 2 to 3 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from oil and place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Serve warm with a sprinkle of flaky salt.

tips and tricks

try air frying. If you don’t want to fry the croquettes in oil, you can cook them in the air fryer for 8 to 10 minutes at 375˚F.

experiment with different cheeses. You can use shredded swiss cheese, gruyere, mozzarella, or a combination of the three!

More tasty bite-sized appetizers to try: Cheese Corn Balls | Potato Cheese Balls | Avocado Cream Cheese Turnovers | Stuffed Dates

can you air fry cheese croquettes?

Yes you can! After dredging the cheese balls, place them in a greased air fryer basket. Air fry at 375˚F for 8 to 10 minutes. There’s no need to flip them as the hot air circulates underneath the balls in the air fryer.

can you freeze cheese croquettes?

Yes, you can freeze these cheese croquettes before dredging and frying them! Form the chilled cheese mixture into balls, then place on a lined baking sheet. Freeze the balls until frozen solid, which will take about 2 to 3 hours.

Store the balls in an airtight container, between layers of parchment paper. The balls will last in the freezer for up to 3 months.

where did croquettes originate?

Croquettes originate from France, but they also quickly went to Spain and Italy where they became regional cuisine as well.

what kind of dipping sauce should I serve with these croquettes?

You can pair these croquettes with so many different dipping sauces, if you want! Here’s some of our favorites:

aioli. Garlic aioli, roasted garlic aioli, chipotle aioli, bacon aioli, and more.

berry balsamic dipping sauce. This is the sauce I posted when I originally published these croquettes way back in the day. I have added the full recipe to the recipe card notes if you want to make it!

honey mustard sauce. Honey mustard sauce is a fun tangy pairing for the rich cheese.

cranberry sauce. Serving these croquettes for the holidays? Dip them in cranberry sauce!

Need some inspiration for appetizers? Check out my appetizers recipe page!

what to serve with cheese croquettes

We love to serve these cheese croquettes with a fun dipping sauce for a party! Garlic aioli, chipotle aioli, or any of your favorite dips can be paired with these crispy cheese balls.

If you want to elevate these croquettes, serve them as an appetizer for a dinner party! Add a few to a plate with a side of frisee salad dressed with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. It’s a lovely cheesy combination that’s simple and sophisticated.

Looking for a cocktail pairing? Here are some of our favorite drinks to pair with the savory cheesiness:

A spicy chili salty dog is a bright cocktail with just the right amount of heat.

Light and bubbly strawberry champagne is an elegant pairing for these cheesy croquettes.

Gooey cheese goes so well with berries, making this sweet and tart raspberry daiquiri a fun pairing, especially when fresh raspberries are ripe.

how to store

Store. You can store fried cheese croquettes in an airtight container in the refrigerator after the croquettes cool to room temperature. They will last for up to 3 days.

Reheat. Reheat the croquettes by placing them on a lined baking sheet. Heat in the oven preheated to 400˚F for about 6 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Freeze. Before dredging and frying, you can freeze the cheese balls! Place them on a lined baking sheet in the freezer for about 2 to 3 hours until solid. Place in an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Thaw. Thaw frozen croquettes in the refrigerator overnight. Dredge and fry as instructed in the recipe.

more recipes with gooey cheese

Spicy jalapeño popper dip transforms your favorite jalapeño poppers into an easy cheesy dip!

Spinach and artichoke goat cheese dip is a tangy twist on your favorite warm and gooey dip.

Marinated mozzarella balls are quick and easy to whip up, perfect for adding to your favorite charcuterie board.

Finally, if you make this cheese croquettes recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!