Croquetas De Jamon Ham Croquettes
Transform your kitchen into a Spanish tapas bar with these irresistible Croquetas de Jamón, or Ham Croquettes! Perfectly golden and crispy on the outside, these bite-sized treats feature a velvety béchamel sauce infused with the savory, nutty flavor of finely diced Serrano ham. This classic Spanish recipe combines simple pantry staples like butter, flour, and milk, elevated with a touch of nutmeg for subtle warmth. The mixture is chilled until firm, shaped into delicate croquettes, and coated in breadcrumbs before being fried to crunchy perfection. Serve these delectable ham croquettes hot as an appetizer, snack, or part of a tapas spread—they’re sure to be the star of any gathering!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons Butter
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1.5 cups All-purpose flour
- 2.5 cups Whole milk
- 0.25 teaspoon Nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 1 cup Serrano ham (or cured ham), finely diced
- 3 Eggs
- 2 cups Breadcrumbs
- 3 cups Vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat.
Once the butter has melted, stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden but not browned (this is your roux).
Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps, and continue stirring over medium heat until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper, and stir in the diced ham. Mix well to ensure the ham is evenly distributed.
Transfer the mixture to a shallow dish, cover with plastic wrap (pressing the wrap directly on the surface), and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until firm.
Once the dough has firmed, shape it into small cylinders or balls, about 2 inches long or 1.5 inches in diameter.
Beat the eggs in a shallow bowl and place the breadcrumbs in another shallow bowl.
Dip each croquette into the beaten egg, ensuring it is fully coated, and then roll it in breadcrumbs to coat. Repeat with all the croquettes.
In a deep frying pan or pot, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
Carefully fry the croquettes in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per batch.
Remove the croquettes with a slotted spoon and drain on a plate lined with paper towels.
Serve hot as a tapa or snack with your favorite dipping sauce, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1497 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 139.1 g | 178% | |
| Saturated Fat | 26.4 g | 132% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 137 mg | 46% | |
| Sodium | 996 mg | 43% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 56.0 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.4 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.9 g | ||
| Protein | 18.2 g | 36% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.0 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 166 mg | 13% | |
| Iron | 3.4 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 309 mg | 7% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
