Air Fryer Turkey Croquettes (Crispy Leftover Turkey Recipe)

Air Fryer Turkey Croquettes are the best way to turn leftover turkey into something everyone fights over. They’re light and fluffy on the inside, shatteringly crispy on the outside, and they come together in about 27 minutes—no deep fryer, no puddle of oil, and no sad reheated turkey. If you have extra turkey from Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a Sunday roast, this is the recipe to make first.

Better yet, the air fryer crisps these leftover turkey croquettes with just a light spritz of cooking spray, so you skip most of the calories and fat of the deep-fried version and still get that golden, crunchy shell.

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Turkey Croquettes

• They rescue leftovers. Turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes all get a second life in one crispy bite.
• No deep frying. The air fryer does the work with a fraction of the oil.
• Fast. Prep in 10 minutes, cook in 12.
• Freezer-friendly. Make a big batch and air fry straight from frozen.
• A whole Thanksgiving dinner in one bite—especially with the cranberry-horseradish dip.

Love cooking turkey in the air fryer? These croquettes are in great company with Air Fryer Turkey Thighs and juicy Air Fryer Turkey Burgers when you want a quick, high-protein dinner.

What Is a Turkey Croquette?

A croquette is a small, fist-sized portion of meat, seafood, cheese, rice, or pasta bound together—usually with mashed potato—then rolled in breadcrumbs or panko and fried until crisp. The result is a warm, tender interior inside a crunchy golden shell.

Nearly every cuisine has its own version, and croquettes have always been a brilliant way to use up leftovers. The air fryer just makes them faster, cleaner, and a little lighter than the classic deep-fried method.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the turkey croquettes:

• Leftover turkey – the star; light or dark meat both work
• Leftover stuffing – adds built-in seasoning and moisture
• Leftover mashed potatoes – the binder that holds everything together
• Grated Parmesan cheese – savory, salty depth
• Garlic and shallot – aromatics for flavor
• Fresh sage and rosemary – classic Thanksgiving herbs
• Eggs – for the dredging station
• Panko bread crumbs – for maximum crunch
• Fried onion straws – blended into the coating for extra flavor and crispness

For the cranberry dip:

• Cranberry sauce – sweet-tart contrast
• Sour cream – creamy base
• Horseradish – a little kick
• Black pepper
• Jalapeño – seeded and diced for gentle heat

How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Croquettes

Step 1: Prep the turkey. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F for 5 minutes. Add leftover turkey to a food processor and pulse for about 10 seconds to finely chop. Remove and set aside, then pulse the fried onion straws for about 15 seconds.

Step 2: Mix the base. In a large bowl, combine the chopped turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, Parmesan, minced garlic, minced shallot, sage, and rosemary. Shape the mixture into patties.

Step 3: Set up a dredging station. In one bowl, whisk the eggs with ½ cup water. In a second bowl, combine the panko and the ground fried onion straws.

Step 4: Bread the croquettes. Dip each patty into the egg, then into the panko mixture. Press the crumbs firmly so they stick.

Step 5: Air fry. Arrange the croquettes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spritz with cooking spray. Air fry for 6 minutes, flip, spritz again, and air fry for another 6 minutes until golden and crisp.

Step 6: Make the dip. While they cook, blend the cranberry sauce, sour cream, horseradish, pepper, and jalapeño for about 15 seconds until smooth. Serve the croquettes hot with the dip.

Can You Cook Frozen Croquettes in an Air Fryer?

Yes. Place frozen croquettes straight into the basket—no thawing needed—set the air fryer to 360°F, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crisping.

Pro Tips for the Crispiest Turkey Croquettes

Press the panko in firmly so the coating stays put during air frying.

Keep them uniform. Shaping the patties the same size means they cook evenly and finish at the same time.

Don’t crowd the basket. A single layer with space around each croquette is what gives you that all-over crunch.

Use any air fryer. This works in a basket-style air fryer, a Ninja Foodi, or an air fryer oven—just watch the timing, since it varies by model.

Any stuffing works. Boxed or homemade, both are great here.

Storing, Freezing, and Reheating

Refrigerate: Cool completely, then store in an airtight container for 3–4 days.

Freeze (uncooked): Freeze shaped croquettes on a parchment-lined tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Air fry straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.

Freeze (cooked): Cool, freeze on a tray until solid, then bag for up to 2 months.

Reheat: Air fry refrigerated croquettes at 350°F for 4–6 minutes, or frozen ones for 8–10 minutes, until hot and crisp again. The air fryer is the secret to reviving that fresh-fried crunch.

What to Serve With Turkey Croquettes

These are fantastic as an appetizer with the cranberry dip, or as a main paired with a simple salad or roasted vegetables. If you’re building a full spread of air-fried turkey favorites, serve them alongside crispy Air Fryer Turkey Wings or spicy Air Fryer Cajun Turkey Legs for game day.

More Leftover Turkey Recipes to Try

Still have turkey to use up? Wrap it into cheesy Air Fryer Turkey Enchiladas, tuck it into flaky Air Fryer Turkey Turnovers, or start fresh with tender Air Fryer Turkey Breast Cutlets and herby Air Fryer Herb Turkey Breast. And for an easy weekend breakfast, crisp up some Air Fryer Turkey Bacon. You’ll find even more ideas on the Air Fryer recipes page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my turkey croquettes falling apart? The mixture needs enough binder. If it feels loose, add a little more mashed potato or an extra egg, and chill the shaped patties for 15–20 minutes before breading so they hold together in the air fryer.

Can I make turkey croquettes ahead of time? Yes. Shape and bread them up to a day ahead, keep them covered in the fridge, and air fry when you’re ready. They also freeze beautifully (see the freezing tips above).

What can I use instead of stuffing? If you don’t have leftover stuffing, use seasoned breadcrumbs plus a little extra herb and a splash of broth for moisture. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

Do I need to preheat the air fryer? Preheating for 5 minutes helps the coating crisp on contact and cook evenly, so it’s worth the few extra minutes.

Can I use chicken instead of turkey? Absolutely—leftover roast chicken works as a direct swap for the turkey with no other changes needed.

How do I keep them crispy after cooking? Serve them soon after air frying, and reheat leftovers in the air fryer rather than the microwave to bring back the crunch.