The Best Ham Croquettes Recipes

If you're a Spanish cuisine lover, you can't miss the opportunity to try some delicious ham croquettes. These are one of the most typical dishes that you can find.

Ham croquettes are one of the most common treats in Spanish restaurants, bars and homes. They’re made as a main dish, side dish or even snack at any time of the year.

Even though you can use several ingredients, ham is the most used one of them all. Although every household and chef has their own work method, the result is always a real delight.

The ham croquettes recipes below contain the best preparation techniques that make the cooking process easier. Now, as for the ingredients, you should consider that the amount of them can vary depending on the number of diners. The only portion on the plate that must be the same is the ham. It shouldn’t be reduced too much in size because if it does, the recipe won’t be so tasty.

How to Make Ham Croquettes

Ingredients (for 6 guests)

• 1 clove of garlic
• Olive oil
• 1 leek
• ½ glass of cream (100 ml)
• 3 medium-sized eggs
• 4 cups of skim milk (1 liter)
• 1 ½ cup of flour (180 g)
• 2 trays of serrano ham (200 g)
• 5 tablespoons of butter (100 g)
• Breadcrumbs (the amount that’s needed)
• Optional: onion, black pepper, nutmeg
• Other: 1 ham bone

Directions

1. Sift the flour and set to the side.
2. Then, heat up the butter in a saucepan to melt it.
3. Chop the ham into small pieces and set to the side.
4. Also, mince the leek into small pieces and do the same with the garlic.
5. Once the butter is melted, add the leek and garlic to poach them. When garlic has browned, add the ham and sauté everything for a couple of minutes.
6. In a saucepan, heat the milk and cream. Add the ham bone so it starts to get nice and tasty. Be careful and don’t let the milk reach a boil.
7. While it sautés, add the flour and stir constantly to mix the together.
8. Gradually, add the hot milk and cream mixture to the roux (onion, ham and butter mixture). It’s important that the mixture is smooth, uniform and without any lumps.
9. Add the condiments to your own taste and pour it into a bowl.
10. Now, let it cool down for around 2 to 3 minutes so the ingredients settle down and the mixture thickens.
11. Add three containers in the following order: flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. Once you’ve formed the Croquettes, use each of the containers to baste them before frying them. It’s important to knead them with your hand slightly covered with a drop of olive oil.
12. Fry the croquettes with a lot of olive oil until they become golden brown on all sides.
13. Serve with a little freshly chopped parsley.

Chicken and Ham Croquettes

Ingredients (for 6 guests)

• 2 onions
• Olive oil
• ½ glass cup of cream (100 ml)
• 3 medium-sized eggs
• 4 cups of skim milk (1 liter)
• 1 cup of cornstarch (150 g)
• 300 grams of cooked chicken
• 2/3 cup of serrano ham cubes (100 g)
• Breadcrumbs (the amount that’s needed)
• Condiments: salt, freshly ground black pepper

Directions

• In a bowl, dilute the cornstarch in a little milk.
• De-bone the chicken meat and shred it as much as you can. Then, pass it through a grinder.
• Also, mince the serrano ham cubes. Then, set to the side.
• In a saucepan, bring them to a boil with the rest of the milk and add a pinch of salt. Once they reach a boil, add the cornstarch to dilute them and stir to thicken the mixture.
• Add the chicken and ham. Stir constantly to get all the ingredients to mix together. Once you get a dough that’s consistent and flexible enough, turn off the heat and let them cool down.
• Once the dough has cooled down, continue kneading the croquettes just like in the previous recipe.
• Baste them with flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs, and fry them with plenty of olive oil.

Consumption

Ham croquettes can be served at the time their done cooking or stored in the fridge for two to three days. If you store them away, taste of the condiments will become more intense. However, what’s important is to heat them well so that they aren’t cold inside.

On the other hand, don’t forget that the croquettes are always very delicious if they’re accompanied with a salad dressing of your preference.