Best 3 Bitterballen Recipes

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Bitterballen are a classic Dutch snack that has gained popularity worldwide. These deep-fried balls consist of a flavorful mixture of minced meat, vegetables, herbs, and spices, coated in breadcrumbs and fried until golden brown. The result is a crispy exterior and a tender, juicy interior that bursts with flavor in every bite. Served with mustard, bitterballen make an excellent appetizer, party snack, or main course when paired with a side salad or fries.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

DUTCH MEATBALLS (BITTERBALLEN)



Dutch Meatballs (Bitterballen) image

I host an annual Christmas party for some friends, and one year, I made a dish from each person's background, including these Dutch meatballs with a crispy coating. Talk about a hit! -Tracey Rosato, Markham, Ontario

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 35m

Yield 2-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup beef broth
1 beef top sirloin steak (3/4 pound), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1-1/3 cups dry bread crumbs
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon 2% milk
1 teaspoon canola oil
Oil for deep-fat frying
Stone-ground mustard, optional

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add broth; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened. Carefully add meat and parsley; cook and stir for 2-5 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. Stir in the salt, nutmeg and pepper. Transfer to a bowl; refrigerate for 3-4 hours or until chilled., Place bread crumbs in a small shallow bowl. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, milk and oil. Drop meat mixture by tablespoonfuls into bread crumbs; shape into balls. Dip meatballs in egg mixture, then coat again with crumbs. In an electric skillet or a deep fryer, heat oil to 375°., Fry meatballs, a few at a time, for 2-4 minutes or until golden brown on all sides. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot with mustard if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 72 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 22mg cholesterol, Sodium 88mg sodium, Carbohydrate 4g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 4g protein.

DUTCH 'BITTERBALLEN' : BITE-SIZE VEAL CROQUETTES



Dutch 'Bitterballen' : Bite-size veal croquettes image

Bitterballen, bite-size veal croquettes. These are usually eaten when dutch people go to a bar and served with a drink. I quess you could call it dutch 'Tapas' !

Provided by Bollie

Categories     Veal

Time 2h5m

Yield 24 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

200 g veal shoulder, cubed
1 bouquet garni
400 ml beef stock
30 g butter
30 g flour
salt and pepper
nutmeg
2 eggs
100 g breadcrumbs
sunflower oil (for frying)
French mustard

Steps:

  • in a pan put meat, bouquet garni and beef stock slowly to the boil and simmer for about 1 hour until meat is tender.
  • Strain off 200 ml stock into a measuring jug.
  • Slice the cooked meat very thinly.
  • Melt the butter in a pan and stir in the flour.
  • Add the stock, while stirring, and continue stirring until the sauce is thick and smooth.
  • Leave the sauce to cook gently for about 2 minutes.
  • Stir in the meat and add salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste.
  • Pour the ragout onto a flat plate and refrigerate until firm.
  • (Best to make this one day in advance) In a deep plate beat the eggs with one tablespoon of water.
  • Shape the ragout into 24 balls (Little bit smaller than golfball) and roll in the breadcrumbs.
  • Then roll in the beaten eggs and breadcrumbs again.
  • Repeat until well coated.
  • Heat oil in a deep fat fryer to 180 degrees celcius.
  • Deep fry croquettes 6 at the time for 3-4 minutes until brown and crisp.
  • Drain on paper towel.
  • Serve the warm'bitterballen' on a plate with a serving of mustard next to it.

BITTERBALLEN



Bitterballen image

This is the most popular snack food in the Netherlands. You get it about everywhere, in pubs, cafés, fast food restaurants and frozen in every grocery, but the home made version is by far the best and well worth the effort! Prep and cook times are a wild guess - I haven't made them yet and the Dutch recipe didn't specify any...

Provided by Marion Wilting

Categories     Other Snacks

Time 2h

Number Of Ingredients 13

100 g butter
150 g flour
700 ml beef bouillon, cold
30 g onion, chopped
1 Tbsp parsley, chopped
400 g meat, cooked
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
nutmeg, to taste
50 g flour
2 eggs, beaten
50 g breadcrumbs
oil, for deep frying

Steps:

  • 1. First make a roux: Let the butter melt in a large pan, slowly add the flour, stir to avoid lumps, until you have a smooth paste, then slowly add the bouillon, stirring, to avoid lumps.
  • 2. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste.
  • 3. Let simmer for several minutes, then add onion, parsley and the chopped cooked meat. The mix has to simmer until it becomes a thick, heavy sauce.
  • 4. Pour the sauce into a bowl and cover with cling film, let cool and then let sit in the fridge for several hours until the mixture has hardened.
  • 5. When it has hardened, place the 50 grams flour, the beaten egg and the breadcrumbs in 3 shallow dishes to make the breading.
  • 6. Take a tablespoon of the firmed up meat sauce, quickly make a ball, lightly roll through the flour, the the egg and the breadcrumbs sothat the whole ball is well covered. Place the ball on a plate and continue until all sauce is used up.
  • 7. Place the balls in the fridge and get a pan for deep frying ready with oil. Heat the oil to 190°C, then fry the balls until golden brown. Don't overcrowd, only fry 4 balls at a time.
  • 8. Serve with hot mustard.

Tips:

  • For a crispy coating, use a light hand when breading the bitterballen. Too much breading will make them soggy.
  • Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying the bitterballen. If the oil is too cool, the bitterballen will absorb too much oil and become greasy.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan when frying the bitterballen. This will cause the oil temperature to drop and the bitterballen will not cook evenly.
  • Serve the bitterballen hot with your favorite dipping sauce. Some popular dipping sauces include mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup.

Conclusion:

Bitterballen are a delicious and versatile appetizer that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are easy to make and can be customized to your own taste. Whether you serve them as a snack, an appetizer, or a main course, bitterballen are sure to be a hit.

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