These Reuben Fritters bring all the delicious, savory flavors of a classic Reuben sandwich in a crispy, bite-sized form. Packed with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and a rich cream cheese base, these fritters are perfectly breaded and fried to golden perfection. Paired with a homemade Bearded Butcher Russian Dressing for dipping, they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer or snack, this recipe is sure to impress!
Ingredients:
- 3/4 lb. Corned Beef, cooked
- 1 Cup High-Temp Swiss Cheese
- 1 Cup Sauerkraut (drained thoroughly)
- 6 oz. Cream Cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 Tsp. Garlic Powder
- 1/4 Tsp. Bearded Butcher Original Seasoning
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard
- Vegetable Oil or Beef Tallow (for frying)
Breading:
- 1/2 Cup Flour, Seasoned
- 2 Eggs for Egg Wash
- 1 Cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1/2 Cup Italian Breadcrumbs
Instructions:
- Prepare the Corned Beef: Chop the cooked corned beef into small bite sized pieces.
- Prepare the sauerkraut: Drain the sauerkraut thoroughly to remove excess moisture. This ensures it doesn't make the fritter mixture too wet and helps the ingredients bind better.
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Make the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped corned
beef, High-Temp Swiss cheese, softened cream cheese, sauerkraut, Dijon mustard, Bearded Butcher Original Seasoning, and garlic powder. Mix until well combined. - Portion and Form the Fritters: Using a portion scoop, divide the mixture into evenly sized portions. You can either roll them into balls or, for more consistent cooking, weigh the portions (around 40 grams each). Roll the portions into smooth, compact balls.
- Chill the Fritters: Once shaped, place the fritters on a tray lined with parchment paper and refrigerate them for 30 minutes. Chilling helps firm up the cream cheese, making them easier to handle and fry without falling apart.
- Set up the Breading Station: While the fritters chill, set up your breading station: In the first shallow bowl, add flour and season it with Bearded Butcher Original Seasoning for extra flavor. In the second shallow bowl, crack the two eggs and whisk them thoroughly until fully blended. In the third shallow bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs and Italian breadcrumbs.
- Coat the Fritters: Once the fritters have chilled, dredge each ball in the seasoned flour, ensuring an even coating. Dip it into the egg wash, allowing any excess egg to drip off, and then coat it thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure the fritters are fully covered in breadcrumbs for a crisp exterior.
- Chill Again: After breading all the fritters, place them back in the fridge for another 15 minutes. This second chill helps the breading set, ensuring a crispier finish when frying.
- Fry the Fritters: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or fryer to 325°F (165°C). Once the oil reaches the correct temperature, carefully place the fritter balls into the oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 3–5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy on all sides.
- Drain the Fritters: Remove the fritters from the oil using a slotted spoon or tongs and place them on a cooling rack. This will allow excess oil to drain off, keeping them crispy.
- Serve and Enjoy! Serve your Reuben fritters hot, paired with homemade Russian dressing for dipping. The crispy exterior, savory filling, and tangy dressing will bring all the classic Reuben flavors in one bite-sized treat.
Bearded Butcher Russian Dressing:
Ingredients:
- Homemade Mayonnaise: 1 Cup Vegetable Oil and1 Large Pasteurized Egg
- 1 Tbsp. Onion (grated to a paste)
- 1/4 Cup Ketchup
- 4 Tsp. Horseradish
- Bearded Butcher Rebel Red Sauce (to taste)
- 1 Tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/2 Tsp. Bearded Butcher Original Seasoning
- 1/4 Tsp. Sweet Paprika
- 1/2 Tbsp. Dill Pickles, finely chopped
- 1 Clove Garlic (mashed)
Directions:
- Prepare Ingredients: Grate the onion to a paste. Then, finely chop the dill pickles and mash the garlic clove.
- Make the Homemade Mayonnaise: In a bowl, combine the egg and oil. Use an emulsion blender to blend until the mixture thickens into mayonnaise.
- Add the Rest of the Ingredients: Add the grated onion, ketchup, horseradish, Rebel Red Sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Original Seasoning, paprika, chopped pickles, and mashed garlic. Blend everything together with the emulsion blender until smooth.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning (e.g., more Rebel Red Sauce or horseradish) as desired.
Your homemade Russian dressing is now ready! Pair it with your Reuben fritters, a classic Reuben sandwich, crispy fries, or even roasted potatoes for a deliciously tangy kick!
