Air Fryer Lancaster County Chicken Croquettes Recipe: A Modernized Amish Chicken Recipe by Ann Marie G. Halstead

The Amish community has had a strong presence in the United States for around 300 years. Since I was a child, I’ve been interested in the culture of Amish people. When I was a Girl Scout, my troop took a trip to Lancaster County, Pa., known as Amish Country. The entire county is considered “Amish Country” because it has one of the largest and most established populations of Amish and Mennonite residents in the U.S.

From what I’ve learned, “Amish cuisine” mainly consists of hearty, filling, homemade comfort food; the Amish are carb eaters (like me!) and many recipes include sugar. Think casseroles, meat and potatoes, noodles and vegetables. Because milk and eggs are in large supply on Amish farms, many dishes are rich and creamy. I should clarify, though, that there really isn’t an official Amish cuisine. The community doesn’t have any dietary restrictions and there are some unique recipes in Lancaster that you’re unlikely to find outside of Pennsylvania.

I recently came across a recipe that I’ve never heard about before (I love when that happens!). Dutch chicken croquettes are a great way to make use of leftover chicken. You chop the chicken, mix it with a creamy sauce, roll it into balls, cover the balls in breadcrumbs and then fry them. But you can use your air fryer for a healthier option!

Bring the taste of the Lancaster County Amish to your home with this easy air fryer chicken croquettes recipe. Serve the crispy chicken patties with your favorite dipping sauces.

Cuisine: Amish
Prep Time: 25 minutes plus time to chill 
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours and 40 minutes (includes chilling time)
Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup half and half or milk
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon minced onion flakes
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular breadcrumbs)
• cooking spray

Here’s how to make it:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F. 
2. In a saucepot, melt the butter and stir in the flour to make the sauce. Slowly pour in the half and half or milk, whisking as you pour. Cook, stirring constantly, until a smooth paste forms. Remove from the heat and add seasonings. Cool. (Cooling is optional, but note that croquettes are messier to work with when warm and easier to work with when cool.) Mix the chopped chicken into the sauce. Form into nine to 12 balls and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.
3. Using two separate bowls for the beaten eggs and the breadcrumbs, first dip the balls into eggs, then roll them into breadcrumbs. Place in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Mist with cooking spray.
4. Air fry the croquettes for 13 to 18 minutes, dependent on your particular air fryer and the desired amount of crispiness. 

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