Recipe

Hunan-style Spicy Croquetas

Fiery Hunan Croquetas: A Spicy Twist on a Spanish Classic

4.7 out of 5

Indulge in the bold flavors of Hunan cuisine with this unique twist on the classic Spanish croquetas. These spicy croquetas are a fusion of Spanish and Hunan flavors, combining the creamy texture of the original dish with the fiery heat of Hunan spices.

Snack› Croquetas

European cuisine› Mediterranean cuisine› Spanish cuisine

Asian cuisine› Chinese cuisine› Anhui cuisine› Hunan cuisine

Preparation time

30 minutes

Cooking time

15 minutes

Total time

45 minutes

Yields

4 servings

Preparation difficulty

Medium

Suitable for

Vegetarian, Vegan (if using vegan mashed potatoes and omitting eggs), Gluten-free (if using gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour), Dairy-free (if using dairy-free mashed potatoes)

Allergens

Wheat (if using regular flour and breadcrumbs), Eggs

Not suitable for

Paleo, Keto, Low-carb

Ingredients

In this Hunan-style adaptation, the traditional Spanish croquetas are infused with the bold and spicy flavors of Hunan cuisine. The original croquetas are typically made with a creamy béchamel sauce and filled with ingredients like ham or chicken. However, in this Hunan twist, the filling is made with mashed potatoes seasoned with Hunan spices, giving it a fiery kick and a unique flavor profile. We alse have the original recipe for Croquetas, so you can check it out.

2 cups (470ml) mashed potatoes 2 cups (470ml) mashed potatoes
1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten 2 eggs, beaten
1 cup (120g) breadcrumbs 1 cup (120g) breadcrumbs
2 red chili peppers, finely chopped 2 red chili peppers, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated ginger 1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, crushed 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, crushed
Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying

Nutrition

Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1g
Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 2g
Protein: 6g
Fiber: 3g
Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1.
In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, chopped chili peppers, minced garlic, grated ginger, crushed Sichuan peppercorns, and salt. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2.
Shape the potato mixture into small cylindrical croquetas.
3.
Place the flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs in separate bowls.
4.
Roll each croqueta in flour, dip it in beaten eggs, and then coat it with breadcrumbs.
5.
Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or skillet over medium heat.
6.
Fry the croquetas in batches until they turn golden brown and crispy on all sides.
7.
Remove the croquetas from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
8.
Serve the Hunan-style spicy croquetas hot and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

Chili peppers — Adjust the amount of chili peppers according to your spice preference. For a milder version, remove the seeds before chopping.
Sichuan peppercorns — Toast the peppercorns in a dry pan before crushing them to enhance their flavor.

Tips & Tricks

For an extra spicy kick, add a pinch of Hunan chili powder to the potato mixture.
To make the croquetas even crispier, double coat them by dipping them in beaten eggs and breadcrumbs twice.
Serve the croquetas with a cooling dip, such as a yogurt and cucumber sauce, to balance the heat.