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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Food & Drink

Croquette

A croquette is a small fried food item made from a seasoned filling such as meat, fish, vegetables, or potato, coated in breadcrumbs and typically deep-fried.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

A croquette is a small, breaded and deep-fried food made from a seasoned filling such as meat, fish, vegetables, or potato. It originated in French cuisine and has since spread worldwide with many regional variations.

What it is

A croquette is a small portion of food formed from minced or finely chopped ingredients bound together with a binder such as sauce or mashed potato, then coated in egg and breadcrumbs and deep-fried until crisp. Common fillings include meat, seafood, cheese, rice, mushrooms, or vegetables. Sweet versions use pastry cream or fruit.

Where it came from

Croquettes are generally traced to French cuisine, with the name linked to French words meaning 'crunch' or 'crisp.' They entered English cookery in the 18th century and later spread to many other food traditions, becoming a staple in home and restaurant cooking.

Regional variations

The basic idea has adapted into local cuisines around the world. Spanish-speaking countries serve croquetas, often made with béchamel as a binder. In Japan, korokke is a popular snack, typically filled with mashed potato or cream corn. In Canada, croquettes appear in French-inspired dishes and are common in frozen food aisles and café menus.

In short

  • Small, breaded, and deep-fried food
  • Originated in French cuisine
  • Many regional forms including Spanish croquetas and Japanese korokke
  • Can be savory or sweet
Canadian angle

Croquettes are familiar to Canadian readers through French and international cuisine, and the term overlaps with common Canadian menu items in restaurants, cafés, and frozen food sections.

Quick questions

What is a croquette?
A croquette is a small, breaded and fried food made from ingredients such as meat, fish, vegetables, or potato.
Where did croquettes come from?
Croquettes are generally described as originating in French cuisine, with later spread into many other food traditions.
How are croquettes cooked?
They are usually coated in egg and breadcrumbs and deep-fried until crisp and golden.

Sources

  1. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/croquette
    Supports: Definition as a small mass of minced meat, fish, or vegetables coated with egg and bread crumbs and deep-fried.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croquette
    Supports: Origin in French cuisine, ingredients, cooking method, worldwide spread, and regional variations.
  3. Vocabulary.com — https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/croquette
    Supports: French etymology and broad international variants.
  4. James Beard Foundation — https://www.jamesbeard.org/stories/eat-this-word-croquettes
    Supports: French culinary history, size and shape, breadcrumbs and frying, and common fillings.
  5. Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/croquette
    Supports: Definition as a small rounded mass of food coated in breadcrumbs and fried.
  6. Britannica Dictionary — https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/croquette
    Supports: Definition as a roll or ball of meat, fish, or vegetables covered with egg and bread crumbs and fried.