4.6 from 24 votes
Ham Croquettes (Croquetas de jamon)
Ham Croquettes (Croquetas de Jamon) are a classic Spanish tapas dish. Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these little flavor bombs will knock your socks off.
Prep Time
3 hrs 30 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
3 hrs 40 mins
Servings:
18
Servings
Calories:
127 kcal
Course:
Appetizer, Snacks
Cuisine:
Spanish
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup onion finely minced
- ¼ flour divided, 1/2 cup
- 3 cups milk whole
- 3 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 3 egg
- 6 ounces serrano ham very finely minced, finely chopped
- salt
- black pepper
- pinch nutmeg
- cooking oil for frying
Instructions
- Heat a sauté pan over medium heat. Add butter and olive oil and when butter is melted and oil is warm, add onion. Sauté onion until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add ¼ cup flour and whisk until browned and nutty, one to two minutes.
- Very slowly whisk in milk, a little at a time to avoid a lumpy sauce. Season with a little salt, pepper and a pinch of nutmeg (remember that the ham is salty, so go easy on the salt at first). Continue to whisk constantly until sauce has thickened, 10-15 minutes. When sauce has thickened, stir in ham. Taste and add more seasoning if needed.
- Pour sauce into a baking sheet and allow to cool, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours (can also be done the day before cooking).
- When ready to cook, preheat oven to 200°F and prepare a baking sheet fitted with a cooling rack. This is for keeping the croquettas warm after frying until you are ready to serve.
- Prepare a breading station by whisking eggs in one dish and placing breadcrumbs into a shallow dish, and ½ cup flour in another dish. Shape the dough into 1-2 tablespoon sized, football shaped balls. Roll in the flour, then in the egg, then in the breadcrumbs.
- In a heavy pot or deep fryer, bring oil to 350°F degrees.
- Add up to six, one at a time, into the oil and fry until golden brown, 2-3 minutes. When removing from oil, place onto prepared rack and leave in the warm oven until ready to serve.
- These are best served fresh!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Although Serrano ham is traditional to spain, it is sometimes hard to find in the US. If you can't find it, you can substitute prosciutto.
Nutrition Information
Calories
127kcal
(6%)
Carbohydrates
10g
(3%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
7g
(11%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
41mg
(14%)
Sodium
304mg
(13%)
Potassium
90mg
(2%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
165IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
0.3mg
(0%)
Calcium
70mg
(7%)
Iron
0.7mg
(4%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 18 Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 127
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 127kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 10g | 3% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 41mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 304mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 90mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 165IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 0.3mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 70mg | 7% |
| Iron | 0.7mg | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.