Garnaalkroketten (Belgian Shrimp Croquettes)
In short: Crisp breadcrumb croquettes filled with a thick, creamy béchamel and small sweet shrimp, fried until golden. A Belgian restaurant starter. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 4 h
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 330 kcal
Garnaalkroketten, croquettes filled with tiny grey shrimp, are one of the most popular starters on a Belgian menu and a favorite at holiday dinners. The filling is a thick béchamel (white sauce) mixed with peeled shrimp and a little lemon, chilled until firm, then crumbed and fried until crisp. Serve them with lemon wedges while hot, when the center is soft and creamy.
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 60 g flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring, without letting it brown.
- Add the warm milk a little at a time, whisking out lumps, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until the sauce is very thick and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
- Off the heat, stir in the shrimp, lemon juice, parsley, salt, white pepper and nutmeg. Taste: the filling should be well seasoned.
- Spread the filling on a plate and press plastic wrap onto the surface. Chill for at least 4 hours or overnight, until completely firm.
- Set out three shallow dishes with the flour, beaten eggs and breadcrumbs. Divide the cold filling into 12 portions and shape each into a short cylinder with floured hands.
- Roll each croquette in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. For a firmer crust, dip once more in egg and breadcrumbs. Chill for 15 minutes.
- Heat the oil to 180°C (350°F) in a deep pot. Fry 4 croquettes at a time for 3 to 4 minutes until deep golden and hot in the center.
- Drain on paper towels and serve at once with lemon wedges.
Tips
- If a croquette bursts in the oil, the filling was not cold enough or the coating had a gap. Double-coat and chill the croquettes again for 15 minutes before frying.
- Cooked small shrimp are fine if you cannot find grey shrimp. A spoonful of shrimp or fish stock in the sauce adds more seafood flavor.
Questions and answers
Can I freeze shrimp croquettes?
Yes. Freeze them crumbed and unfried on a tray, then bag them for up to 2 months. Fry straight from frozen at 170°C (340°F) for 6 to 7 minutes.
Why did my croquettes burst?
Usually the filling was still warm or the coating was uneven. Chill the filling until completely firm and coat the croquettes twice, sealing every gap.
What do you serve with garnaalkroketten?
Belgian restaurants serve them with a lemon wedge, a few fried parsley sprigs and a little salad. A spoonful of tartar sauce or mayonnaise also works.
How long does it take to make Garnaalkroketten (Belgian Shrimp Croquettes)?
About 1 h in total: 40 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Garnaalkroketten (Belgian Shrimp Croquettes)?
About 330 kcal per serving, with 14 g of protein, 25 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 330 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 14 g |
| Carbohydrates | 25 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
