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Home » appetizer

Ham and Cheese Croquettes

Published: Feb 14, 2019 · Modified: Feb 22, 2019 by Kit · This post may contain affiliate links · 11 Comments

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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.

How to make Ham and Cheese Croquettes | This traditional Spinach tapa is easy to prepare 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.

How to make Ham and Cheese Croquettes | This traditional Spinach tapa is easy to prepare at home!

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.

How to make Ham and Cheese Croquettes | This traditional Spinach tapa is easy to prepare at home!

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:

How to make Ham and Cheese Croquettes | This traditional Spinach tapa is easy to prepare at home!

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.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Spanish
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes 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
  • ⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon All Purpose Flour
  • ⅓ cup finely chopped Iberico Ham
  • ⅓ cup plus ¼ cup finely grated Manchego
  • ¼ cup Plain Panko
  • ¼ cup Plain Breadcrumbs
  • Vegetable Oil for frying
  • 2 Eggs

Instructions

  • 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.
  • Once the onion is translucent, add the flour and stir, letting the flour cook for 1 minute.
  • 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.
  • Add ⅓ 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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.

Save and share this recipe for Ham and Cheese Croquettes on Pinterest:

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.

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Comments

  1. Jennifer Sparmo says

    February 18, 2019 at 12:59 pm

    I've never heard of croquettes before, but these look delightful! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday
    Reply
    • thekittchen says

      February 20, 2019 at 2:55 pm

      They are so good! You need to give them a try!
      Reply
  2. WT Abernathy says

    February 20, 2019 at 1:05 pm

    These look absolutely amazing- I can definitely see the potential of using them as a base for expanded recipes, maybe a light cheese sauce and served over noodles or mashed potatoes- Looking forward to trying them out!
    Reply
    • thekittchen says

      February 20, 2019 at 2:56 pm

      I had never thought of that. But I love those idea!
      Reply
  3. Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says

    February 20, 2019 at 2:04 pm

    I'm coming to your parties!! Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner Party - hope your week is fantastic!
    Reply
    • thekittchen says

      February 20, 2019 at 2:55 pm

      Come on over!
      Reply
  4. Miz Helen says

    February 26, 2019 at 10:20 pm

    I can't wait to try your Ham and Cheese Croquettes, awesome! Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Miz Helen
    Reply
  5. Alison Kelly says

    November 01, 2019 at 9:59 am

    I'm in the UK- do you have the weights in grams or ounces please?
    Reply
  6. Tarryn London says

    October 11, 2020 at 11:31 am

    Very disappointed in this recipe. As soon as the croquettes hit the oil they disintegrated and were no longer croquettes
    Reply
    • thekittchen says

      October 13, 2020 at 7:59 pm

      I am so sorry to hear that. I am very surprised since I have made this recipe many times. Was the oil hot when you added the croquettes? Did you use all purpose flour? I wish I could figure out what went wrong.
      Reply
      • Tarryn London says

        January 17, 2021 at 9:35 pm

        Yes it was basically at smoke point and I used all purpose flour. I guess I'll just buy them already made next time
        Reply

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