Asparagus croquettes (baked or air fried) are a delectable and fun idea to showcase the beauty of the seasonal asparagus. You will need asparagus, a potato, and some binding ingredients like egg, bread soaked in milk, Parmigiano, some melty cheese, and breadcrumbs. They are quite simple and oh so tasty! You can bake them or air fry them. We tried both and they are both just as delicious!
Do you need a tasty idea to wow your family and make your kids eat vegetables? Or maybe a fancy appetizer/side dish for your vegetarian friends? We might have just the recipe for you: asparagus croquettes, baked or air fried, crispy on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside. You just cannot stop at eating one...
Asparagus 'croquettes' or 'meatballs'?
I was still in Rome at my parents' place blocked by the lockdown when together with my father we made these Asparagus croquettes that in Italy are called "Polpette di asparagi". Polpette, in Italian, is the same term we use for meatballs, but since here there is no "meat" involved, we decided to call them croquettes. Any way you want to call them, they are surely meant to disappear quickly and hence make everybody happy.
My family loved them and they will become a favorite seasonal recipe from now on!
asparagus croquettes-in Rome
The preparation
- First, you need to clean the asparagus and cut the potato, then boil them in salted water for about 15 minutes or until tender. After that, drain the vegetables, cut the tips off the asparagus, and set aside.
- Secondly, in a mixer, puree the asparagus stems and the potato.
- Then, in a large bowl, add the pureed vegetables, the asparagus tips, the egg, the Parmigiano, the cheese, the crumb squeezed from the milk.
- Next, blend everything until smooth. TIP: if the mixture is too wet, add some breadcrumbs, if dry add some milk.
- In the meantime, prepare a plate with some breadcrumbs. Then, get a heaping tablespoon of the mixture in your hands and shape it into a croquette. Place it on the breadcrumbs and coat well.
- Continue until all the mixture is finished. Place on a serving dish.
Oven baking the croquettes
Lastly, preheat the oven to 390° F (200° C). Brush olive oil at the bottom of a baking dish, place the croquettes distancing them a little, drizzle olive oil on top and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Air frying:
The air fryer is a new entry at our place, my husband got it for us while I was away. I was a bit skeptical, as I don't like to fill the house with many gadgets that we rarely use, anyway, after seeing how it worked on these croquettes, I think I will be definitely using it again.
Brush the top pan with a little bit of olive oil, place the croquettes in, and turn it on. Cook for about 11-12 minutes, stopping midway to turn them over.
The taste test
In the end, both asparagus croquettes, baked and air fried, were deliciously crispy on the outside and oh so creamy soft inside. Maybe the air-fried ones were a tad crispier than the baked ones. The potato and asparagus marry so well creating a dynamic duo in flavor and texture. As for the Parmigiano and gooey melted cheese, well, I don't think there is anything that doesn't taste good with cheese. And the bonus, the nice coating of Italian breadcrumbs. We had 4 croquettes each, however, Loreto snuck one more when I wasn't looking. They're that good. And addictive.
Enjoy!
PrintAsparagus croquettes (baked or air fried)
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 bundle asparagus (about 300 g)
- 1 medium potato, chopped
- 1 egg
- 40 g Parmigiano, grated
- 30 g milk, to soak the bread
- 50 g bread, the crumb
- 1 baby bell (or the equivalent of soft easy melt cheese), chopped
- some Italian breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Wash and cut the end part of the asparagus.
- Peel and cube the potato.
- In a pot of salted water, add the chopped potatoes and asparagus. Cook for 15 minutes or until tender.
- Drain. Cut the tips off the asparagus and set aside.
- In a mixer, puree the asparagus and the potato.
- Add the crumb of the bread to the milk and let soak.
- In a large bowl, add the pureed vegetables, the asparagus tips, the egg, the Parmigiano, the cheese, the crumb squeezed from the milk. Blend everything until smooth.
- If the mixture is too wet, add some breadcrumbs, if dry add some milk.
- In the meantime, prepare a plate with some breadcrumbs.
- Get a heaping tablespoon of the mixture in your hands and shape it into a croquette.
- Place it on the breadcrumbs and coat well. Place on a serving dish.
- Continue until all the mixture is finished.
Baking or air-frying the croquettes:
- Baking: Preheat the oven to 390° F (200° C). Brush olive oil at the bottom of a baking dish, place the croquettes distancing them a little, drizzle olive oil on top and bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Air frying: Brush the top pan with a little bit of olive oil, place the croquettes in, and turn it on. Cook for about 11-12 minutes, stopping midway to turn them over.
Notes
While making the croquettes, if the mixture is too wet add some breadcrumbs, if dry add some milk.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, vegetarian
- Method: Baking/Air frying
- Cuisine: Italian
I love baking and kneading dough because it takes me to a happy place in my soul.
Candice says
The texture on these croquettes is FANTASTIC! It was a new way for me to use asparagus, which we all really enjoyed, too. But I just can't get over that texture... yum!
★★★★★
Yes, the texture is amazing! Who doesn't love crispy on the outside and soft inside?
veenaazmanov says
Looks like a yummy snack option. Air Fryer makes it all the more healthier and delicious . Have to definitely try making some for family.
★★★★★
Thank you! Yes, it could be also a great snack idea, loved by all members of the family.
Eva says
Love the idea of using asparagus in these vegetarian polpette! I make something similar but eggplant based. I am addicted to asparagus so this is next on my list, in fact.
★★★★★
Thanks! I make polpette di melanzane too but the texture of these ones is so much softer and nicer, closer to a potato croquette. Hope you try it!
Mikayla says
This is such a unique way to serve asparagus! I think this recipe will be on repeat all summer, my toddler had no idea he was eating his veggies, and they were really satisfying for us adults too.
★★★★★
Thanks! I can attest that the adults loved them 😉 , and I think the kids will too.
Aditi Bahl says
Baked, healthy, lovely texture, and tempting. A beautiful recipe and dish. Can't wait to try this. Its an amazing party snack too. All in one dish. Thanks for sharing.
★★★★★
I guess they would be great also pan fried, but these are healthier options and just as delicious. Thank you!
Paula Montenegro says
What a great way to eat asparagus! I make a lot of croquettes, but it had never occurred to me to use asparagus. Great idea!
★★★★★
Thank you! The texture and flavor are amazing, hope you try it!
Sylia says
Even though I am familiar with Italian food, I haven't met this recipe before. I am definitely gonna make this! Thank you for sharing.
★★★★★
You're welcome! We adapted it on the recipe that was on the bundle of asparagus we bought in Italy 😉 . So delicious!
GUNJAN C Dudani says
These are making me so hungry right now. I am drooling over these. Beautifully captured and love the recipe.
★★★★★
Sharon says
Asparagus is my favorites summertime vegetable and these croquettes are the perfect addition to any summertime meal.
★★★★★
Cory Varga says
I live in Germany where asparagus is sacred and we use it for everything. Thank you for giving us a new idea on how to eat it!
★★★★★