Bacalhau

Croquetes de bacalhau

Creamy breaded cod croquettes — an elegant tavern snack for a sharing table.

RegionPortuguese taverns
DifficultyMedium
Total time1 hour 05 minutes
Yield20 croquettes
Photo of Croquetes de bacalhau — traditional Portuguese recipe
Photo of the traditional Portuguese recipe.

Editorial content from Empório Portugal. Traditional recipes may vary by region, family and cook.

About the recipe

Cod croquettes are a familiar sight in Portuguese pastry-shop displays and snack menus across the country.

The croquette mixture should be firm enough to shape, but creamy inside after frying.

Ingredients

  • 400 g of shredded desalted cod
  • 500 ml of milk
  • 60 g butter
  • 60 g of flour
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 2 eggs
  • Fine breadcrumbs
  • Wheat flour
  • Olive oil or oil for frying
  • Nutmeg and pepper

Method

  1. Sauté the onion in butter until transparent.
  2. Add the flour and stir for 1 minute.
  3. Add the milk gradually to form a thick béchamel.
  4. Add shredded cod and season.
  5. Cook until the mixture pulls away from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Leave to cool completely.
  7. Form croquettes, coat in flour, egg and breadcrumbs.
  8. Fry in hot oil until golden, then drain on kitchen paper.

Tips from Empório Portugal

  • Cold dough shapes better — you can prepare it the day before.
  • Fine breadcrumbs give a more even crust.
  • Serve with lemon and olives.

Possible substitutions in Brazil

  • Milk can be partially replaced with heavy cream.
  • For a baked adaptation, cook the croquettes in a hot oven after lightly spraying them with olive oil.

Pairing

Sparkling wine or a young white wine. Content intended for people over 18 years of age. Drink in moderation.

Editorial note from Empório Portugal

This recipe is part of the editorial curation of Empório Portugal, developed from Portuguese culinary tradition. Like every traditional recipe, it may vary by region, family and cook.

Do you have a Portuguese family recipe?

Send it to the Empório Portugal community. Submitted recipes are reviewed before any publication.

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Quick facts

Prep
40 min
Cooking
25 min
Total time
1 hour 05 minutes
Yield
20 croquettes
Difficulty
Medium
Occasion
Starters & Snacks

Pairing

Sparkling wine or a young white wine. Content intended for people over 18 years of age. Drink in moderation.

Empório tip

Cold dough shapes better — you can prepare it the day before.

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