1-2tbspsriracha sauce, to taste, depending on how spicy you want it
Loaded Potato Croquettes:
2slices of bacon, chopped into bits
1½cupsleftover creamy mashed potatoes**Click on the link up above for the recipe
½cupsharp cheddar cheese, grated
1tbspfresh chives, snipped
Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
½cupflour
1-2eggs, well-whisked**1 jumbo or 2 small
1cupplain panko crumbs
Vegetable Oil
Serving:
Sour cream
Sriracha mayo
Instructions
Make the sriracha mayo, combine the mayonnaise and sriracha in a small bowl and mix well; place in the refrigerator until needed.
Make the croquettes by cooking the bacon bits in a small skillet over medium heat until the fat has rendered and the bacon is crispy and golden brown. Remove from the skillet and place on paper towels until needed.
Combine the leftover mashed potatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, bacon bits, chives, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper together in a bowl; mix until well combined.
Place the flour in a shallow bowl and season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste; mix well.
Crack the eggs in a shallow bowl and whisk until well combined then season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste; whisk well.
Place the panko crumbs in a shallow bowl and season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste; mix well.
Roll the potato mixture into like-sized round balls. Roll the potato balls until evenly coated first, in the flour, next, in the egg mixture, and finally, in the panko crumbs, then place on a parchment-lined plate. Place into the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Side Note: Don’t skip this step, it helps the panko adhere to the potato balls.
Fry the croquettes by pouring oil into a small deep skillet and heat over medium-high heat until a thermometer registers 350 degrees.
Gently lower a few potato croquettes into the HOT oil with a slotted spoon and fry, rolling them in the oil, until deeply golden brown, 3-4 minutes.
Transfer to paper towels to drain; season with salt then place on a wire rack while cooking the remaining potato croquettes (this helps retain their crunch!). Repeat with remaining potato croquettes.
Serve immediately with sriracha mayonnaise or sour cream. Enjoy.