Nutrient-Rich! Sweet & Savory Chestnut Croquettes
The Best Nutritious Snack for Kids! Plus, an Easy Trick to Peel Chestnuts
As autumn deepens, I’ve made these delicious, savory, and sweet chestnut croquettes, perfect for your child’s nutritious snack. They offer a different charm compared to potato or sweet potato croquettes, with the unique sweetness and tenderness of chestnuts filling your mouth. Despite being fried, they are easy to digest thanks to the chestnuts, making them enjoyable for the whole family. Let’s start making these tasty chestnut croquettes right away!
Croquette Ingredients- 20 chestnuts
- 50g carrot
- 20g green bell pepper
- 1/3 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 3 eggs
- 2 cups breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil for frying, as needed
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all the ingredients for the croquettes. Finely dice the carrot and green bell pepper after removing any seeds.
Step 2
Here’s a handy tip for easily peeling chestnuts! Make a cross (+) cut on the top of each chestnut before boiling. This makes the skins come off much more easily after cooking.
Step 3
Boil the chestnuts with the cuts in water. Adding a little salt to the boiling water enhances the chestnut flavor. Using a pressure cooker will speed up the process and make them even easier to cook. The skins will split open, allowing you to effortlessly remove the inner skin as well.
Step 4
Once the chestnuts are thoroughly cooked, peel them while they are still warm. Mash them until smooth. Using a fork or a potato masher will make this step easier. Ensure there are no lumps for a smooth texture.
Step 5
Add the finely diced green bell pepper and carrot to the mashed chestnuts. Dicing the vegetables finely improves the texture when bitten into, making the croquettes more appealing to children.
Step 6
Prepare the coating ingredients for frying: all-purpose flour, lightly beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs. Make sure you have plenty of breadcrumbs for a crispy coating.
Step 7
To the mashed chestnut mixture, add the diced green bell pepper, diced carrot, and mozzarella cheese for added flavor. The mozzarella cheese will make the inside of the croquettes even more savory and chewy.
Step 8
Now, add 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise for extra richness. The mayonnaise will complement the sweetness of the chestnuts beautifully, creating a delicious flavor profile.
Step 9
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly with a spatula or your hands to form the croquette dough. It should be firm enough to hold its shape without being too sticky.
Step 10
Put on disposable gloves and take portions of the dough. Shape them into flattened round croquettes. It’s best to make them bite-sized for children.
Step 11
Coat each shaped croquette first with flour, then dip thoroughly in the beaten egg mixture, and finally, coat evenly with breadcrumbs. Ensuring a good breadcrumb coating is key for a crispy exterior.
Step 12
Once coated with breadcrumbs, your chestnut croquettes are ready to be fried. They’re all set to achieve a beautiful golden-brown color!
Step 13
Preheat your frying oil to a moderate temperature of around 160-170°C (320-338°F). Carefully place the croquettes one by one into the hot oil. Fry for about 3-4 minutes, turning them occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy. Be careful not to fry them at too high a temperature, as this can burn the outside before the inside is cooked.
Step 14
Voilà! Your perfectly fried, golden-brown chestnut croquettes are ready. They taste best served warm. Enjoy these delightful chestnut croquettes as a snack for kids or even as a tasty appetizer!
