Croquetas de Jamón
AI-generated image
Spanish

Croquetas de Jamón

Crisp, golden Spanish ham croquettes with a smooth, deeply savory béchamel center. Chill the mixture thoroughly before shaping for clean cylinders and a delicate shell that stays creamy inside.

80 min 6 servings Medium
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How to prepare

1
Warm the milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming but not boiling, then keep it warm. Melt the butter in a wide, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until translucent and sweet-smelling.
2
Add the flour to the onion mixture and stir constantly for 2 minutes, until the flour loses its raw smell without taking on color. Gradually whisk in the warm milk until smooth.
3
Simmer the béchamel over medium-low heat for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring and scraping the bottom frequently, until very thick and the spoon leaves a clear track. Stir in the ham, nutmeg, salt, and pepper and cook for 2 minutes more.
4
Spread the filling in a shallow dish, press plastic wrap directly against its surface, and cool for 20 minutes. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, until firm and cold.
5
Using two teaspoons or lightly oiled hands, portion the cold filling into 24 pieces and shape each into a compact cylinder about 5 cm long. Set the shaped croquetas on a lined tray.
6
Dip each croqueta in the beaten egg, letting the excess drip away, then roll it thoroughly in breadcrumbs. For a sturdier crust, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating. Chill the coated croquetas for 20 minutes.
7
Heat the oil in a deep, heavy pot to 175°C. Fry the croquetas in batches of 4 or 5 for 2 to 3 minutes, turning gently, until evenly golden and hot through. Return the oil to 175°C between batches.
Golden ham croquettes frying until crisp in hot oil AI-generated image
8
Transfer the croquetas to a rack or paper-lined tray and rest for 2 minutes so the filling settles. Serve immediately while the crust is crisp and the center is creamy.
Crisp golden ham croquettes with a creamy ham-filled center AI-generated image

Why this recipe works

A slow, flour-based béchamel binds the finely chopped ham into a rich filling, while thorough chilling and a double coating create the classic contrast of creamy center and brittle crust.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Refrigerate the cooked croquetas in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Uncooked, coated croquetas can be refrigerated for 24 hours or frozen in a single layer for up to 1 month, then transferred to a freezer bag.

How to reheat it

Reheat cooked croquetas in a 200°C oven or air fryer for 8 to 10 minutes until hot and crisp. Fry frozen croquetas directly from frozen, adding 1 to 2 minutes to the cooking time; do not thaw.

Nutrition / serving

452kcal
18.65 gprotein
35.46 gcarbs
26.19 gfat
P
Pantryvale editorial kitchen
Recipe prepared for publication with complete ingredients and ordered cooking steps.
Published 20 Aug 2026 · updated 20 Aug 2026