Time
- Prep: 25 minutes
- Cook: 15–20 minutes
- Chill time (important): 30 minutes
- Total: ~1 hour
Servings
- 4 servings (about 10–12 croquettes)
Ingredients
Croquettes Base
- 2 cups pumpkin (roasted or steamed, mashed)
- 100–150 g goat cheese (crumbled)
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tsp olive oil or butter
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional)
- 1 egg (for binding)
- 2–4 tbsp breadcrumbs (as needed for firmness)
Coating
- ½ cup flour (for dusting)
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko preferred for crispiness)
Coriander Yogurt Dip
- 1 cup plain yogurt (thick preferred)
- ½ cup fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
- 1 small garlic clove
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- Salt to taste
- 1–2 tbsp water (to adjust consistency)
For frying
- Oil for shallow or deep frying
Instructions
1. Prepare pumpkin
- Roast or steam pumpkin until soft.
- Mash well and let it cool completely (important to avoid soggy mixture).
2. Cook aromatics
- Heat olive oil or butter in a pan.
- Sauté onion until soft (3–4 minutes).
- Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Mix into mashed pumpkin.
3. Make croquette mixture
Add to pumpkin:
- goat cheese
- salt, pepper, paprika, chili flakes
- egg
Mix well.
Add breadcrumbs gradually until mixture becomes firm enough to shape.
4. Shape & chill
- Form small logs or balls.
- Place on tray.
- Chill in fridge for 30 minutes (helps prevent breaking while frying).
5. Coat croquettes
Set up 3 bowls:
- Flour
- Beaten egg
- Breadcrumbs
Coat each croquette:
- Flour → Egg → Breadcrumbs
6. Fry until golden
- Heat oil to medium heat.
- Fry croquettes 3–4 minutes per side.
- Cook until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain on paper towel.
Alternative: Air fry at 190°C for 12–15 minutes (flip halfway)
7. Make coriander yogurt
Blend or mix:
- yogurt
- coriander
- garlic
- lemon juice
- cumin
- salt
- water
Mix until smooth and creamy.
8. Serve
- Serve croquettes hot and crispy
- Dip into chilled coriander yogurt
Nutrition Information (Approx per serving)
(based on 3–4 croquettes per serving)
- Calories: 280–360 kcal
- Protein: 10–14 g
- Fat: 18–24 g
- Carbohydrates: 18–25 g
- Fiber: 3–5 g
- Calcium: moderate–high (from goat cheese + yogurt)
Health Notes
- Pumpkin = rich in vitamin A and fiber
- Goat cheese = easier to digest than cow cheese for some people
- Yogurt dip adds probiotics
- Can be made lighter using air fryer instead of deep frying
Variations
Swap pumpkin
- Sweet potato (slightly sweeter, denser texture)
Cheese options
- Feta (saltier, tangier)
- Cream cheese (extra creamy)
Spice upgrade
- Add cayenne or chili paste to mixture
Herb variations
- Mint yogurt instead of coriander
- Dill + lemon yogurt dip
Gluten-free version
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes
Q&A Section
Q1: Why are my croquettes breaking while frying?
Most common reasons:
- Mixture too wet
- Not chilled enough
- Oil not hot enough
Fix: add more breadcrumbs + chill longer
Q2: Can I bake instead of fry?
Yes
- Bake at 200°C for 20–25 minutes
- Brush lightly with oil for crispiness
Q3: Can I make them ahead?
Yes
- Shape and coat croquettes, then refrigerate up to 24 hours
- Or freeze before frying (best method)
Q4: Can I use canned pumpkin?
Yes
- Just drain excess moisture well
- You may need extra breadcrumbs
Q5: How do I make them extra crispy?
- Use panko breadcrumbs
- Double coat (egg + breadcrumbs again)
- Fry in hot oil without overcrowding pan
Q6: Is goat cheese strong in flavor?
Yes, slightly tangy and earthy, but balanced by sweet pumpkin and yogurt dip.
Q7: Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes—it already is vegetarian
Just ensure breadcrumbs and cheese are vegetarian-certified if needed.
Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.
With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.
With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.
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