These potato fritters with feta are one of the tastiest sides. They are crispy on the outside, cheesy on the inside, and wonderfully flavored with fresh herbs and spices.
If you love these potato fritters, you will also love the cauliflower fritters with greek yogurt & parmesan, tomato fitters or the zucchini fritters with feta!
Overview
Why this recipe sings
These potato fritters (or croquettes) are made with mashed potatoes mixed with grated kefalotyri cheese, dried oregano, thyme, nutmeg, and red chili flakes for warmth and a little kick. Once the potato croquettes are breaded and deep fried, a crisp crust delicately reveals soft and gooey feta cheese.
These will not last long when served!
Here is what you need
- Potatoes. Any kind will do. You can also use about two cups of leftover mashed potatoes.
- Kefalotyri cheese. The Greek hard cheese can be replaced with pecorino romano or parmesan.
- Greek feta cheese. Always get a block of feta in brine, like MtVikos brand. Bulgarian or Israeli feta are suitable substitutes. I don’t recommend fat-free feta; it does not exist in Greece and is tasteless.
- Scallion. For the sweet, peppery flavor.
- Ground nutmeg, dried oregano, thyme, and red chili flakes.
- Butter, flour, and milk. To make a small quantity of béchamel sauce. Alternatively, you can add store-bought béchamel sauce like the one from Parmalat or Jotis.
- A couple of eggs, breadcrumbs, and potato chips. For the delicious crust.
- Sunflower oil (not shown above). For frying. You can also fry in extra light olive oil.
How to make them
Cook for 5 minutes, on low heat, until the mixture binds well and becomes a velvety, slightly elastic, and firm béchamel. Remove from the heat and keep one cup for the recipe.
In a deep pot, heat plenty of sunflower oil over medium heat until hot.
Serve potato fritters as a side to seared steak, grilled chicken, a Greek tomato salad, or a hearty ratatouille. Enjoy!
You may also like
Check out my Greek pantry staples
Cooked this? Rate this recipe! You can also leave a comment below. I love hearing from you!
WANT TO EAT LIKE A GREEK? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Potato Fritters With Feta
These potato fritters are crispy, cheesy, and wonderfully flavored with fresh herbs and spices.
Ingredients
- 1 lb potatoes
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- ½ cup kefalotyri cheese grated. Substitute with grated pecorino romano.
- 1 scallion thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup Greek feta cheese in brine cut in ½inch cubes
- sea salt
- freshly ground pepper
for the bechamel
- 2.5 tablespoons butter
- 5.5 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1⅓ cup milk
for the coating
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 cup potato chips
for frying
- sunflower oil for frying
Instructions
- Wash potatoes and place them in a baking pan. Bake in a 200°C /390°F oven for about an hour until they are cooked.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and mix well with a whisk for 3-4 minutes. Add the milk and stir continuously with the whisk to dissolve any lumps.Cook for 5 minutes, on low heat, until the mixture binds well and becomes a velvety, slightly elastic, and firm béchamel. Remove from the heat and keep one cup for the recipe.
- When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, remove the potato skin and mash them with a potato masher or fork in a large bowl. Add the béchamel, kefalotyri cheese, oregano thyme, and spices. Mix well. Add sea salt and pepper to taste.If the mixture feels too loose, refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Scoop the potato mixture into a small ball (about two tablespoons) and press one cube of feta into the center.Seal the potato ball tightly around the cheese. Repeat with the remaining mixture and cheese.
- In a bowl, beat the egg with a fork; in another bowl, mix the crushed chips and the breadcrumbs.
- In a deep pot, heat plenty of sunflower oil over medium heat until hot.
- Gently drop a potato fritter into the egg bowl. Next, pick up the fritter from the beaten eggs, give it a wiggle to get rid of any excess egg, and drop it into the bread crumbs. Then repeat one more time into the egg, wiggle, and add more breadcrumbs.
- In a large skillet, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the fritters, two at a time (or more, depending on the size of your skillet), and fry until deep golden brown. It should take about one to two minutes for both sides, flipping as needed—transfer fritters on paper towels to absorb extra oil.
- Serve potato fritters as a side to a steak, a roast, or a veggie casserole. Enjoy!
Notes
- Potatoes. You can also use about two cups of leftover mashed potatoes.
- Kefalotyri cheese. Substitute with pecorino romano or parmesan.
- Feta cheese. Always get a block of feta in brine, like MtVikos brand. Bulgarian or Israeli feta are good substitutes. Please don’t buy fat-free feta; it does not exist in Greece and is tasteless.
- Béchamel sauce. For these fritters, you can add store-bought béchamel sauce. Various online grocery shops with European goods carry them. Try Thomy, Parmalat or Jotis.
- A couple of eggs, breadcrumbs, and potato chips. For the delicious crust.
- Sunflower oil. You can also try frying in extra light olive oil.
Nutrition
Calories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 10gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 471mgPotassium: 458mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 417IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 245mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @thegreekfoodie__ or tag #thegreekfoodie__
