CRISPY Spanish Ham Croquettes | The Famous Croquetas de Jamón Recipe

These crispy Spanish ham croquettes, known as croquetas de jamón, are possibly Spain’s most popular tapas recipe. We’re talking a ton of great flavors, easy to make, and made with simple ingredients. Serve them next to some marinated olives and a couple of ice-cold beers or club sodas for the best moment in your day.

To make this recipe, I used Spanish jamón Ibérico. Which is similar to prosciutto, but with a deeper flavor. Of course, you can use any ham you like. But I tell you, using the jamón Ibérico is what truly makes the difference in these croquettes.

To fry the croquettes, I used virgin olive oil. You can use any oil you like here. It’s just virgin olive oil is what’s typically used in Spain, as it gives the croquettes a beautiful lift of flavors.

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: If you see your croquette mixture is too sticky to shape the croquettes, just add it back into the freezer for another 15 to 30 minutes. You can make the croquettes ahead of time and then fry when ready. They will hold for 3 days in the fridge and freeze for up to 3 months.

Key Ingredients & Cookware I used in this Recipe:
MY COOKWARE
MY CHEF´S KNIFE
EXTRA VIRGIN SPANISH OLIVE OIL (10% OFF Your Order with Coupon ONAFORK)
SPANISH HAM “JAMON IBERICO” (10% OFF Your Order with Coupon ONAFORK)

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Watch the Video Below on How to Make CRISPY Spanish Ham Croquettes

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CRISPY Spanish Ham Croquettes (Croquetas de Jamón)

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Spanish

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Cooling Time 30 minutes

Servings 12 Croquettes

Calories 168 kcal

Author Albert Bevia @ Spain on a Fork

Ingredients

FOR THE FILLING

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 30 ml
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour 30 grams
• 1 cup low fat milk 240 ml
• 3.5 oz sliced Spanish ham "Jamon Iberico" (finely chopped) 100 grams
• dash nutmeg
• sea salt & black pepper

FOR THE BREADING

• 1/2 cup all purpose flour 60 grams
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp milk 15 ml
• 1 cup plain breadcrumbs 100 grams
• sea salt & black pepper

EXTRAS

• 1 cup virgin olive oil 240 ml
• fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Heat a medium-sized fry pan with a medium heat and add in the extra virgin olive oil

2. After a couple of minutes, add in the chopped onion and garlic, mix continuously, after 2 to 3 minutes and the onions are slightly translucent, add in 1/4 cup (30 grams) flour and continue to mix together for 2 minutes, then slowly add in the milk while mixing continuously

3. Once all the milk has been added and you've ended up with a thick paste, turn off the heat, add in the chopped Spanish ham, a dash of nutmeg, and a kiss of salt & black pepper, and mix together until well mixed

4. Transfer the mixture into a bowl and cover with saran wrap, add into the freezer for at least 30 minutes

5. In the meantime, prep the breading station, add the flour into a bowl, crack the egg into a separate bowl, add in the milk, and season with salt & pepper and whisk together, and add the breadcrumbs into a third separate bowl

6. After leaving the mixture for 30 minutes in the freezer, start shaping the croquettes, grab a spoonful of the mixture and squeeze it in your hands, this is to ensure the ingredients are well bound together, and then shape it into a cylinder the size of a large egg (if you see your mixture is too sticky, just add it back to the freezer for another 15 to 30 minutes)

7. Coat each croquette, first in the flour, then into the egg wash, and finally into the breadcrumbs, making sure at each stage they are fully coated all around

8. Heat the same fry pan with a medium heat and add in the virgin olive oil

9. Once the oil is nice and hot but not smoking, add in the croquettes, all in a single layer, cook in batches, fry for 3 minutes per side or until golden and crispy all around, and as you finish each batch, transfer into a dish with paper towels

10. Serve hot or warm, garnished with fresh parsley, enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Get the Spanish Ham (Jamon Iberico) I used to make this Recipe (10% OFF Your Order from tienda.com with Coupon ONAFORK)

Nutrition Facts

CRISPY Spanish Ham Croquettes (Croquetas de Jamón)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 168 Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Trans Fat 0.002g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 5g

Cholesterol 27mg9%

Sodium 214mg9%

Potassium 76mg2%

Carbohydrates 14g5%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin A 63IU1%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 49mg5%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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