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When I was in Spain I had the most delicious Ham and Cheese Croquettes, and I finally learned how to make them at home. These Ham and Cheese Croquettes are crispy crunchy on the outside and filled with a creamy cheesy mixture of manchego cheese and Iberico Ham. This is a traditional Spanish tapa that is easy to recreate at home.

My sister and I took our Mom to Spain for a very quick 24 hours on our way to Morocco. We discovered the best little tapas place called Casa Alberto, and sat at a tiny table and feasted on tapas. Kelly and I wanted to try the ham and cheese croquettes, so we ordered them. When we offered one to Mom she replied that she doesn’t like croquettes. We insisted that she try them and she has been talking about them ever since.

I wanted to make traditional Spanish Ham and Cheese Croquettes, so I filled the croquettes with Iberico Ham and Manchego Cheese, two very typical Spanish foods. You could use prosciutto and parmesan to give the croquettes an Italian twist. You could also use leftover roasted ham if you happen to have some.

I had wrongly assumed that croquettes would be hard to make. They only require about 30 minutes of preparation time. Each step is really easy, and I had most of the ingredients I needed at home already.

If you want to prepare the croquettes ahead of time, you can fry them and then place them in a warm oven so that they stay hot. This is an easy way to prep this snack if you are hosting a party.

I made these Ham and Cheese Croquettes for a dinner party and my friends loved them. Croquettes are one of those things that your friends will assume are complicated and time consuming to prepare – even though the active preparation time is only about 30 minutes.

I like to use a mix of breadcrumbs and larger panko crumbs. The breadcrumbs stick to the croquettes really well, and the panko gives an extra crunch. Using the technique of coating the croquettes in the crumbs, then the egg, and then back in the crumbs give the croquettes a nice thick layer of crunchy breadcrumbs.

How to make Ham and Cheese Croquettes:

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Ham and Cheese Croquettes

I wanted to make traditional Spanish Ham and Cheese Croquettes, so I filled the croquettes with Iberico Ham and Manchego Cheese, two very typical Spanish foods. You could use prosciutto and parmesan to give the croquettes an Italian twist. You could also use leftover roasted ham if you happen to have some. I had wrongly assumed that croquettes would be hard to make. They only require about 30 minutes of preparation time. Each step is really easy, and I had most of the ingredients I needed at home already.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Spanish

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
• ¼ cup finely chopped White Onion
• Salt and Pepper
• ¾ cup Whole Milk
• 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon All Purpose Flour
• 1/3 cup finely chopped Iberico Ham
• 1/3 cup plus ¼ cup finely grated Manchego
• ¼ cup Plain Panko
• ¼ cup Plain Breadcrumbs
• Vegetable Oil for frying
• 2 Eggs

Instructions

1. Heat the butter and olive oil in a saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Once the butter melts, add the onion and season with salt and pepper.
2. Once the onion is translucent, add the flour and stir, letting the flour cook for 1 minute.
3. Next, whisk in the milk. Continue whisking until the flour is not longer clumpy. Continue to whisk, letting the mixture cook for 3 minutes, it will get very thick.
4. Add 1/3 cup of cheese and the chopped ham, and stir to combine. Let this mixture cool in the fridge until it is cool enough to handle. To form the croquettes, scoop up a tablespoon of the mixture and then form into an oval. Continue using all of the dough and making about 16 croquettes.
5. Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk. Combine the panko, breadcrumbs, and remaining cheese in another bowl. One by one, roll the croquettes in the breadcrumbs, then the egg, and then back in the breadcrumbs. Place on a plate.
6. Heat 2-3 inches of vegetables oil in a heavy saucepan, until it reaches 375 degrees. Once the oil is hot, carefully lower the croquettes into the oil, cooking 3-4 at a time. Let them cook for about 1-2 minutes, until golden brown, and then remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil.

Recipe Notes

If you want to prepare the croquettes ahead of time, you can fry them and then place them in a warm oven so that they stay hot. This is an easy way to prep this snack if you are hosting a party.

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