Remove from heat and stir in the diced ham and grated cheese. Mix thoroughly to ensure everything is well combined.
4️⃣ Chill ❄️
Spread the mixture in a dish, cover with cling film directly on the surface, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (2 hours is ideal) to make shaping easier.
5️⃣ Shape the Croquettes 👐
With slightly floured hands, form small logs or balls of the chilled mixture.
6️⃣ Bread the Croquettes 🥚
Coat each croquette in flour, then beaten egg, then breadcrumbs. For extra crunch, repeat for a double coating.
7️⃣ Fry 🍳
Heat oil to 170–180°C in a deep pan or fryer. Fry croquettes in small batches for 3–4 minutes until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
8️⃣ Serve 🌿
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot, optionally with a wedge of lemon 🍋 or a mild pepper sauce for dipping.
💡 Time-Saving Tip ⏳
Shape croquettes the day before, bread them, and freeze raw. Fry directly from frozen (+1–2 min cooking time).
🔄 Ingredient Swap 🔁
Replace ham with roasted chicken cubes or sautéed mushrooms for a vegetarian version 🍄.
🔥 Cooking Tip 🔥
Fry croquettes in small batches to keep the oil temperature stable. Crowding the pan cools the oil and makes them soggy.
✨ Extra Flavor Boost Ideas:
Add a pinch of smoked paprika 🌶️ for a subtle Spanish twist
Mix in finely chopped olives 🫒 for a Mediterranean touch
Serve with aioli, tomato sauce, or roasted red pepper sauce for dipping 🥫
Your Spanish Ham & Cheese Croquettes will now be golden, creamy inside, and irresistibly melty! 🧆🧈🧀🌿🍋
