If you’re looking for something comforting, rustic, and a little different, this Highland Croquettes Recipe is just the thing. Inspired by the cooking traditions of the Polish mountains, it takes the simple idea of a croquette and elevates it with bryndza, a soft sheep’s cheese with a sharp, tangy flavor. Combined with potatoes, Greek yogurt, and chives, the filling becomes creamy, savory, and full of character. Wrapped in light pancakes made from a beer batter, then breaded and fried in clarified butter, these croquettes are golden, crispy, and irresistible.
What Makes This Highland Croquettes Recipe Special?
Croquettes are a well-loved dish in Poland, often appearing at family tables and festive gatherings. Usually, they are filled with mushrooms, cabbage, or meat. This Highland Croquettes Recipe takes a different route by using bryndza, a cheese that has been part of mountain shepherd culture for centuries. Its bold flavor gives the filling a depth you don’t often find in everyday versions of the dish.
The pancakes themselves are made with beer in the batter, which is a small but clever twist. The beer adds lightness and flavour, ensuring that the croquettes aren’t heavy, even though they are fried. This balance of textures (soft inside, crisp outside) is what makes them so satisfying.
Ingredients
- 300g plain flour
- 100g potatoes
- 200g bryndza cheese
- 200ml beer
- 5 eggs
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
- 1 bunch of chives
- Salt and black pepper
- Breadcrumbs, for coating
- Clarified butter, for frying
How to Make Highland Croquettes
- Prepare the batter.
Beat 3 eggs with the beer, oil, and about 150ml water. Add a pinch of salt and sift in the flour. Season with black pepper, whisk until smooth, and set aside to rest. - Make the filling.
Separate the remaining 2 eggs. Mash the yolks with crumbled bryndza. Mash the potatoes with Greek yogurt until fluffy, then stir in chopped chives. Mix both parts together into a smooth, savoury filling. - Cook the pancakes.
Fry thin pancakes in clarified butter and stack them to cool slightly. - Assemble the croquettes.
Place some filling inside each pancake, roll tightly, dip in whisked egg whites, and coat with breadcrumbs. - Fry until golden.
Heat clarified butter and fry the croquettes on all sides until golden brown and crispy.
Serving Ideas
Bryndza is more than just an ingredient, it’s a piece of cultural heritage. It has Protected Designation of Origin status in Poland, and in Slovakia, it remains strongly connected to the traditions of the Tatra highlanders. Its distinct flavor makes these croquettes stand out and adds a truly regional touch to your table.
If you’re curious about Polish cuisine or want to explore rustic mountain flavors, this Highland Croquettes Recipe is an excellent place to start. It’s simple to prepare, yet the taste is rich, bold, and memorable, a dish that feels both traditional and unique.
FAQ – Highland Croquettes Recipe
What are Highland Croquettes?
Highland croquettes are a Polish-style dish made by wrapping a savory filling in thin pancakes, then breading and frying them until golden. This version is inspired by the Polish highlands and uses bryndza, a tangy sheep’s cheese, in the filling.
What is bryndza cheese used in recipe?
Bryndza is a soft, salty sheep’s cheese traditionally made in the Carpathian mountains. It has a tangy, slightly sharp flavor and is often used in rustic highlander dishes. In Poland, bryndza is sometimes blended with cow’s milk, while in Slovakia it has Protected Designation of Origin status.
Can I substitute bryndza in this Highland Croquettes Recipe?
Yes. If you cannot find bryndza, you can use feta cheese or a mix of cream cheese and a little blue cheese for a similar salty, tangy flavor. For a milder taste, try bundz, a fresh highland cheese that is less intense.
What to serve with Highland Croquettes?
Traditionally, croquettes in Poland are often served with clear beetroot soup (barszcz czerwony). You can also enjoy them with a light green salad, sour cream dip, or simple cucumber salad on the side.
Can Highland Croquettes be made ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare the pancakes and filling in advance, assemble the croquettes, and keep them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before frying. They can also be frozen (before breading) and cooked later.
Are Highland Croquettes vegetarian?
Yes. This Highland Croquettes Recipe is completely vegetarian as long as you use bryndza or another cheese-based filling. They make a hearty meat-free option for dinner or festive gatherings.
Can I bake croquettes instead of frying?
Definitely. While frying in clarified butter gives the best traditional taste and crunch, you can also bake the croquettes on a lined tray at 200°C until golden and crispy.
