Croquettes in Japan are a treat, known for their piping hot, creamy interior encased in a crisp crumb. So when we spotted the I&J Croquettes Prawn, Potato & Herb in the freezer section, we couldn’t resist trying them.
Each croquette measured about 6 x 3 x 2 cm and contained 18% prawn, 12% potato, and 12% krill. They were prepared by baking in a preheated oven at 200°C for 16 minutes, turning halfway, or in an air fryer at the same temperature for half the time.
While these croquettes looked the part, they didn’t live up to their Japanese counterparts. The crumb coating was thick, giving them more of a crunch than a crisp texture, and the interior lacked the creaminess typical of Japanese croquettes. The prawn and krill added some texture, but so did the chopped onion and the slight grittiness from the potato. Overall, the texture and flavour of both the crumb and the filling reminded us too much of crumbed fish, making them something we wouldn’t return to.
This I&J Croquettes Prawn, Potato & Herb contained 350 g or 12 pieces. It was produced in Australia and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2019.