Chilean tuna croquettes, or croquetas de atún, are tender fritters of canned tuna mixed with milk soaked bread, sautéed onion, eggs, flour, and parsley, spooned into a hot pan and fried until golden. They take 15 minutes of preparation and about 30 minutes of cooking, and serve 4.
They are a classic, inexpensive, and versatile dish of everyday Chilean cooking, ideal for a quick lunch or light dinner and a good way to get the whole family eating more fish.
How to Make Tuna Croquettes?
Bread is soaked in milk and mashed, then mixed with drained tuna, a soft onion sofrito, parsley, eggs, and flour into a thick batter. Spoonfuls are fried in olive oil until golden on both sides, drained, and kept warm, or baked for a lighter version.
Nutritional Information
Each serving of tuna croquettes contains approximately 250 kcal, 15 g of protein, 12 g of fat, 70 mg of cholesterol, 20 g of carbohydrates, 2 g of sugars, 1 g of fiber, and 400 mg of sodium. These values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes.
Homemade Chilean Tuna Croquettes Recipe
Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 cans of tuna
- 200 ml of milk
- 2 slices of bread
- 2 tablespoons of flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon of chopped parsley
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- Olive oil
- Fine salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, crumble the bread, add the milk, let it soak, and mash with a fork until smooth. Finely chop the onion. Heat a splash of oil in a skillet, add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and sauté over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until translucent.
- Drain and flake the tuna and add it to the bread mixture. Add the sautéed onion, parsley, eggs, and flour and mix until smooth. Adjust the seasoning and let rest, covered, for about 5 minutes.
- Heat a generous splash of olive oil in a large skillet over high heat and drop in spoonfuls of the mixture to form the croquettes. Lower the heat, cook until golden, turn, and cook a couple of minutes more.
- Drain on paper towels and keep warm in the oven. Serve right away, topped with fresh chopped parsley, with rice, rustic potatoes, or spicy mashed potatoes.
Additional Tips
Firm up a soft mixture
If the mixture is too soft to handle, chill it in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes or in the fridge for 20 minutes before frying.
Bake or air fry them
For a lighter version, place them on a lightly oiled tray and cook at 200°C (392°F) for 20 minutes, turning once.
Freeze them raw
Shape the croquettes, freeze them on a tray, and then store them in bags. Cook them straight from frozen, adding a few minutes.
| Original ingredient | Substitute | Ratio | Flavor note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bread | Mashed potato or fine oats | Same amount | Gluten free option with oats |
| Canned tuna | Canned jack mackerel | 1:1 | Stronger, very Chilean |
| Parsley | Chives | 1:1 | Milder onion flavor |
| Frying | Oven at 200°C (392°F) | 20 minutes | Lighter |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I make tuna croquettes without bread?
Yes, replace it with mashed potato or fine rolled oats, which bind the mixture while keeping it soft. Rice flour or cornstarch can also adjust the consistency.
2. How do I keep the croquettes from falling apart?
Make sure the mixture is firm and, if possible, chill it for about 20 minutes before frying. Oil that is hot but not smoking also helps them hold their shape.
3. What else can I add?
Grated carrot, scallions, diced red bell pepper, olives, or grated cheese all add color and flavor.
4. How are they best served?
As a main course with salad, rice, or potatoes, or as a snack with tartar sauce, homemade mayonnaise, or a yogurt herb dip.
What Are Croquetas de Atún?
In Chile, croquetas or fritos de atún are spoon dropped tuna fritters rather than breaded, rolled croquettes. They are a budget friendly weeknight meal made from pantry staples, canned tuna, bread, eggs, and milk.
Benefits of Tuna
Tuna is a lean source of high quality protein and provides omega 3 fatty acids, which support heart health, as well as vitamin D, B12, and selenium.
Did You Know?
Chile’s dietary guidelines recommend eating fish or seafood at least twice a week, and canned fish such as tuna and jack mackerel is one of the most practical ways to do it.
How to adapt this recipe to a vegan or vegetarian version?
How to adapt this recipe to a gluten-free version?
How to adapt this recipe to a keto (ketogenic) version?
Recommended
- Jack Mackerel Croquettes Recipe
- Tuna Antipasto Recipe
- Chilean Arroz Primavera Recipe
- Chilean Mashed Potatoes Recipe
