🏠 Home > 🗺️ Recipes > 🥪 Appetizers > 🇧🇪 Belgium Appetizers > 🥪 Belgian Shrimp Croquettes (Croustillons aux Crevettes) , Tomato Stuffed with Shrimp Salad (Tomate Crevette) , Liège-Style Mini Meatballs (Boulets de Liège Bites)
🥪 Belgian Appetizers You’ll Love Making at Home
🍽️ Introduction to Belgian Appetizers
If you’ve ever explored Belgian food even a little, you already know that Belgium isn’t just about waffles and chocolate. Their appetizer culture is surprisingly rich—with comforting bites, seafood favorites, creamy classics, and small warm dishes that feel like a hug on a plate. Belgian appetizers are all about coziness, flavor, and balance, and people around the world have slowly fallen in love with these little starters because they’re easy to make and packed with character.
In everyday Belgian life, appetizers aren’t reserved only for restaurants. Home cooks make them during weekend gatherings, family dinners, or whenever they want something small but satisfying before a main meal. What makes these dishes special is how they reflect Belgium’s culinary personality—French-style refinement meets hearty, warm, home-cooked comfort.
In this article, we’ll explore three of the most popular Belgian appetizers that people all over the world love to recreate at home:
- Recipe 1: Belgian Shrimp Croquettes (Croustillons aux Crevettes)
- Recipe 2: Tomato Stuffed with Shrimp Salad (Tomate Crevette)
- Recipe 3: Liège-Style Mini Meatballs (Boulets de Liège Bites)
These recipes are approachable even for beginners, and my goal is to walk you through them like a friend cooking in the kitchen with you. No fuss, no pressure—just great flavors and easy steps. Let’s dive in!
🍤 Recipe 1: Belgian Shrimp Croquettes
📘 About This Recipe
Shrimp croquettes are one of Belgium’s most iconic appetizers. Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside—these golden pockets are filled with a rich shrimp mixture and coated with delicate breadcrumbs. They’re a favorite in traditional Belgian brasseries, but homemade croquettes are truly special. You get full control over the flavor, creaminess, and crunch.
This recipe uses simple everyday ingredients and is perfect for parties, dinners, or even weekend snacking.
🧂 Ingredients & Measurements
- 1 cup cooked small shrimp (finely chopped)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg (for coating)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- A pinch of nutmeg
- Oil for frying
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1.Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
2.Add flour and mix until it forms a smooth paste.
3.Slowly pour in the milk while whisking to avoid lumps.
4.Cook until the mixture becomes thick and creamy.
5.Add chopped shrimp and season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
6.Let the mixture cool completely—this helps form perfect croquettes.
7.Shape into small cylinders or ovals.
8.Dip each piece into beaten egg.
9.Coat with breadcrumbs.
10.Heat oil in a small pot and fry until golden and crispy.
11.Drain on paper towels and serve warm.
💡 Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t skip chilling the mixture; warm filling falls apart during frying.
- Make sure your oil is hot enough—lukewarm oil makes soggy croquettes.
- Finely chop the shrimp for smooth texture.
- If the mixture feels too soft, add a bit more flour while cooking.
❓ FAQ
1. Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes! Just thaw them completely and remove excess water before chopping.
2. How long should I chill the filling?
At least 2 hours, but overnight is even better.
3. Can I bake them instead of frying?
Yes, bake at high heat (around 200°C / 400°F) until crispy.
📝 Summary
These shrimp croquettes are crispy, creamy, and full of flavor—perfect for Belgian-style entertaining at home. Whether you fry or bake them, they always turn out delicious.
🍅 Recipe 2: Tomato Stuffed with Shrimp Salad (Tomate Crevette)
📘 About This Recipe
Tomate Crevette is one of Belgium’s most refreshing appetizers. Imagine a juicy tomato filled with a creamy shrimp salad—simple, colorful, and incredibly satisfying. This dish is famous along the Belgian coast but has found its way into home kitchens all over the country.
It’s light, bright, and perfect when you want an appetizer that feels elegant without being complicated.
🧂 Ingredients & Measurements
- 4 medium ripe tomatoes
- 1 cup small shrimp (peeled and cooked)
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Fresh parsley (finely chopped)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1.Slice the top off each tomato.
2.Scoop out the insides carefully without breaking the shell.
3.Pat the inside of the tomatoes dry to remove excess moisture.
4.In a bowl, mix shrimp, mayonnaise, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper.
5.Fill each tomato with the shrimp salad mixture.
6.Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
7.Garnish with extra parsley if desired.
💡 Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
- Choose tomatoes that are firm, not overly ripe.
- Don’t skip drying the inside—it keeps the salad from becoming watery.
- Add a little extra lemon if you prefer a bright, tangy flavor.
- You can mix in finely chopped celery for extra crunch.
❓ FAQ
1. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, but fill the tomatoes shortly before serving to keep them fresh.
2. Can I use canned shrimp?
You can, but fresh or frozen shrimp tastes much better in this dish.
3. How long does it stay good in the fridge?
About 24 hours when properly covered.
📝 Summary
Tomate Crevette is refreshing, creamy, and beautifully simple. It’s one of those appetizers that looks impressive but comes together in minutes—perfect for any occasion.
🥘 Recipe 3: Liège-Style Mini Meatballs (Boulets de Liège Bites)
📘 About This Recipe
Belgium loves its meatballs, and Liège-style meatballs are especially famous. Traditionally, they’re served in a sweet-sour sauce, but here we’re making a mini appetizer version—bite-size, juicy, and packed with flavor.
These little meatballs are perfect as finger food and work well for parties, gatherings, or cozy at-home dinners.
🧂 Ingredients & Measurements
- 500g ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1 small onion (finely diced)
- 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- Salt and pepper
- A little oil for frying
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1.Mix ground meat, onion, breadcrumbs, mustard, egg, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2.Roll into small bite-size balls.
3.Heat oil in a pan.
4.Fry the meatballs until browned on all sides.
5.Lower the heat and cook through until tender.
6.Drain and let cool slightly before serving.
💡 Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t overmix the meat; it makes the meatballs tough.
- Use slightly wet hands for rolling—no sticking.
- Cook on medium heat to keep them juicy inside.
- For extra flavor, chill the mixture before shaping.
❓ FAQ
1. Can I bake the meatballs instead of frying?
Absolutely—bake at 190°C / 375°F until cooked through.
2. Can I freeze them?
Yes, both cooked and uncooked meatballs freeze very well.
3. What can I serve them with?
They’re delicious on their own or with toothpicks as finger food.
📝 Summary
These mini Liège-style meatballs are tender, flavorful, and ideal for gatherings. They’re a fun, bite-sized twist on a Belgian classic.
🎉 Final Thoughts
Belgian appetizers may look fancy in restaurants, but making them at home is absolutely within reach. Each recipe in this article shows a different side of Belgian food—creamy, fresh, crispy, warm, and comforting. Hopefully, you now feel confident enough to try at least one (or all three!) in your own kitchen.
Start with the shrimp croquettes if you love something crispy, try Tomate Crevette when you want something refreshing, or go for the mini meatballs when you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer. And once you’ve tried them, don’t hesitate to experiment, adjust flavors, and create your own variations.
Most importantly—have fun cooking and feel free to share your experience, improvements, or creative twists. Belgian cuisine is all about warmth and togetherness, and these appetizers are the perfect way to bring that feeling into your home.
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