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The starter, Mediterranean

Jamón ibérico croquetas

Jamón ibérico croquetas are a Spanish appetizer for 6 people, made from a firm ham béchamel, breaded and fried. They need 45 minutes of active work, the béchamel is made the day before and the croquetas are breaded in the morning, leaving only the frying for just before serving. Medium difficulty, about €3.10 per person, the key is a very firm béchamel before shaping it into balls.

Creamy little croquetas with jamón ibérico, crisp outside, molten inside, they disappear before they even make it to the table.

Jamón ibérico croquetas
For
6 people
Work
45 min
Total time
5 h
Prep
Prepared the day before
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€3.10
Calories per person
330 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

A good croqueta is all about contrast, a crisp shell that cracks under the fork and a molten, almost liquid béchamel center, flavored with jamón ibérico and nutmeg. The diced ham brings the saltiness and richness a plain béchamel lacks, and it's what gives this classic Spanish bite its character.

This is a great appetizer for a festive dinner with friends, served as an extended starter or ahead of a simple main course, because all the real work happens in advance. It also works well for a family gathering, kids generally love the creamy crisp texture, and you can make them small for drinks or larger for a sit down starter.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before 3 steps, 4 h 20
  2. The same day 1 step
  3. Before the guests arrive Nothing to do
  4. When it's time to serve 2 steps, 10 min

The day before, make the ham béchamel and let it chill at least 4 hours in the fridge. In the morning, shape the balls, bread them, and keep them cold on a tray. Right before guests arrive, set up the frying oil, then fry the croquetas in small batches just as you're ready to serve, so they reach the table hot and crisp.

The ingredients

6 people

Butcher

  • Jamón ibérico, diced 150 g

Dairy

  • Butter 70 g
  • Whole milk 75 cl
  • Eggs 2

Pantry

  • Flouroften in the pantry 90 g
  • Breadcrumbsoften in the pantry 150 g
  • Frying oiloften in the pantry 1 kg
  • Nutmegoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onion 1

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Melt the butter, add the very finely chopped onion, then the ham, and cook for a few minutes. 8 min

    Don't salt yet, the ham is already quite salty.

  2. Add the flour, then pour in the hot milk little by little while whisking until you get a thick paste, season with the nutmeg. 12 min

    Stir constantly with a spatula, the béchamel sticks to the bottom fast.

  3. Spread the béchamel in a dish, cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface, and chill for at least 4 hours. 4 h

    Press the wrap right onto the cream, it keeps a skin from forming.

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Shape small balls using two spoons, dip them in beaten egg then in breadcrumbs, and set them on a tray in the fridge.

    Dust your hands lightly with flour, the béchamel won't stick as much.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Fry the croquetas in small batches in oil at 180°C until golden. 10 min

    Don't overcrowd the fryer, the oil cools down and the croquetas soak up more fat.

  2. Drain on paper towels and serve right away.

    Serve them in a paper cone, it's more festive and more Spanish.

Our tips to get it right

  • Chop the onion and ham very finely, chunks that are too big keep the béchamel from holding together once fried.
  • Dip your hands in cold water or dust them lightly with flour between batches, the paste sticks fast to warm fingers.
  • Fry a single test croqueta before cooking the whole batch, it lets you check and adjust the oil temperature.

The variations

  • Swap the jamón ibérico for regular cooked ham or shredded chicken for a milder, more budget friendly version.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the ham with finely chopped sautéed mushrooms and a little parmesan in the béchamel.
  • To save time, bread the croquetas the day before and freeze them raw on a tray, then fry them straight from frozen with no need to thaw.

What to serve it with

  • A glass of dry white wine
  • A tangy green salad
  • Slow roasted or diced tomatoes

Storage

Raw breaded croquetas keep 24 hours in the fridge on a covered tray, or freeze for up to a month. Once fried, eat them right away, they lose their crispness as they cool and don't reheat well.

Questions about this recipe

Why do my croquetas fall apart in the oil?

The béchamel probably wasn't firm enough before chilling. It should have the consistency of a thick, almost sticky paste so it holds its shape when fried.

Can I use regular cooked ham instead of jamón ibérico?

Yes, cooked ham works well and makes the recipe more affordable. The flavor will be milder, so adjust the salt accordingly.

How should I serve croquetas at a dinner party?

Serve them standing up in a small basket or paper cone, with a toothpick in each one. It's the most casual and fun way to offer them as a starter.

Do croquetas freeze well?

Yes, once breaded and still raw, they freeze very well on a tray before being bagged up. Fry them straight from frozen with no thawing, just add a little extra cooking time.

Can some jamón ibérico croquetas be made ahead?

Yes, it's even recommended. The recipe needs 45 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 3 steps, the same day, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 2 steps.

How long does it take to make some jamón ibérico croquetas?

Allow 5 h in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 45 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "medium".

How many calories are in some jamón ibérico croquetas?

About 330 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does some jamón ibérico croquetas cost?

About €3.10 per person, that's €18.60 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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