Curry Potato Croquettes with Creamy Dairy-Free Curry Drizzle

I’m already craving those post-Thanksgiving potato cakes. So why wait until after the holidays? I started thinking about everyday ways to enjoy those pan-fried patties, and was reminded of a recipe I made years ago for dairy-free curry croquettes. These crispy on the outside, tender on the inside bites are made with potatoes and carrots, and are delicious topped with a creamy curry drizzle. We have enjoyed them as an appetizer, side dish, and even n salad for a light meal.

Dairy-Free Curry Croquettes are Perfect for Small Plates

It was hard to decide on a name for this recipe. Classic croquettes are made with meat, but mashed potato cakes are usually quite soft. These are just quickly mashed for a heartier texture, and plant-based potato croquettes are a thing. So I landed on dairy-free curry croquettes. I originally posted this recipe back in 2011, but have since updated it with nutrition facts plus tips and options in the recipe and FAQs below.

What Can I Substitute for the Carrots?

Not a carrot fan? You can substitute sweet potatoes or winter squash, like butternut squash. Both are equally delicious with curry, and add a natural sweetness that complements the spice. In a pinch, you could simply use all potato.

Can I Boil the Vegetables instead of Steaming them?

Yes, boiling will take about the same amount of time. I just prefer steaming to preserve a little more of the flavor and vitamins.

Can I Substitute Turmeric for the Curry Powder?

Plain turmeric doesn’t have the same depth of flavor as curry powder. You can find curry powder at most grocery stores. Or you can make your own with my dairy-free curry powder recipe. It actually contains far more coriander than turmeric.

Do You Use Frozen or Canned Corn?

I use frozen defrosted corn. But you could use drained canned corn or even fresh corn, if it’s in season. You’ll only need one ear of corn for this recipe. If you don’t have any corn, you can omit it or substitute peas.

Can I Use Breadcrumbs instead of Cereal?

You can! I prefer toasted dairy-free bread crumbs or panko for a crispier exterior. Cereal is just a nice, crispy shortcut.

Can I Bake the Dairy-Free Curry Croquettes instead or Pan Frying?

They should come out fine in the oven, but won’t be quite as crispy and flavorful on the outside. I would place them on a parchment lined baking sheet and spray both sides of the patties with oil. Then bake them at 375ºF for about 10 minutes per side, or until crisped.

Special Diet Notes: Curry Croquettes

By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, optionally egg-free, optionally gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, optionally vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian. Just be sure to choose the butter alternative, cereal, and mayo that suit your dietary needs.

Alisa Fleming

Dairy-Free Curry Croquettes

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These crispy potato and carrot patties are full of flavor and easy to customize to your personal tastes. They're also pan-fried, rather than deep-fried, so they use much less oil than most croquette recipes.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Appetiser

Cuisine: French

Calories: 252

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• ½ pound potatoes cut into 1/2-inch cubes (see Potato Note below)
• ½ pound peeled carrots cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
• 2 teaspoons dairy-free buttery spread or coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• ¾ teaspoon salt divided
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup corn optional
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise can sub vegan mayo
• ¼ cup unsweetened dairy-free milk beverage
• ⅔ cup crispy rice cereal
• ⅔ cup whole-grain flake cereal
• 2 to 3 tablespoons oil as needed
• Quick Creamy Curry Dressing for serving (optional)

Method

 

1. Steam the potatoes and carrots for about 15 minutes, or until they are fork tender.
2. Place the cooked potatoes and carrots in a large bowl. Add the butter alternative or coconut oil, curry powder, ½ teaspoon of salt, and black pepper.
3. Gently mash the ingredients together with a fork until well combined. I prefer to leave some texture in the vegetables. Stir in the corn, if using.
4. Shape the potato mixture into about 16 balls and gently flatten them into little patties that are about ½-inch thick. They may be a touch fragile, but should hold together relatively well.
5. Place the flour in a bowl.
6. Whisk the mayo and milk alternative together in a second bowl, and place it next to the flour bowl.
7. Crush or grind the two cereals. I use my spice grinder to get a finer crumb. Place them in a bowl and stir in the remaining ¼ teaspoon of salt. Set that bowl next to the mayo bowl.
8. Now starts the quick little production line. Dredge one potato patty in the flour, dip it in the mayo mixture, then set it in the crumbs, and gently toss them to coat. Set the coated patty on a plate, and repeat with the remaining patties.
9. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, fry the patties for about 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until golden and browned to your liking.
10. Place the croquettes on paper towels to blot off any excess oil.
11. Serve with some Quick Curry Dressing, if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 4croquettesCalories: 252kcalCarbohydrates: 30.1gProtein: 3.3gFat: 14.5gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 605mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4.1g

Notes

Potato Note: I use yellow, white, or Russet potatoes. If using Russet potatoes, I recommend peeling them. Yellow and white potatoes have very thin skins, so I don't typically peel them.

Gluten-Free Option: Substitute your favorite all-purpose gluten-free flour blend for the flour. A good friend swears by King Arthur Measure for Measure. In a pinch, you can use a single gluten-free flour, like rice flour or sorghum flour. Substitute cornflakes for the wheat flakes, and make sure your rice cereal is gluten free. You can simply use 1 1/3 cups of cornflakes, if preferred.

Plant-Based Note: These dairy-free curry croquettes are generally plant based, but make sure you use vegan mayonnaise if you want egg-free and vegan croquettes.

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