Croquetas de Jamón (Cuban Ham Croquettes)
Local name: Croquetas de jamón
In short: Creamy ham béchamel chilled, shaped into logs, breaded and fried until crisp outside and molten inside. A Cuban cafeteria favorite. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 4 h
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 320 kcal
Croquetas de jamón are small, crisp logs filled with a thick, creamy ham béchamel, and they turn up at Cuban bakeries, coffee windows and party tables. Finely minced ham is stirred into a roux-based sauce flavored with onion, nutmeg and a little pepper, chilled until firm, then rolled, breaded and fried. They are eaten hot with a squeeze of lime or alongside a cup of café con leche. Chilling the mixture overnight makes it firm enough to shape and fry neatly.
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Stir in the 100 g flour and cook for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the warm milk to avoid lumps, then cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring, until very thick and pulling away from the sides of the pan.
- Stir in the ham, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Spread the mixture in a shallow dish, press plastic wrap onto the surface and chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until firm.
- Set out three shallow bowls with the 60 g flour, the beaten eggs and the breadcrumbs. Scoop tablespoons of the cold filling and roll them into logs about 6 cm (2.5 inches) long.
- Roll each log in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. For a sturdier crust, dip again in egg and breadcrumbs. Chill the breaded croquettes for 20 minutes.
- Heat the oil to 175°C (350°F) in a deep pot. Fry 5 or 6 croquettes at a time for 2 to 3 minutes, turning, until deep golden.
- Drain on paper towels and serve hot.
Tips
- A very thick béchamel is the key. It should hold its shape on a spoon and feel stiff when cold, because a loose mixture bursts open in the oil.
- Freeze the shaped, breaded croquettes on a tray, then bag them for up to 2 months. Fry from frozen at 170°C (340°F) for 4 to 5 minutes.
Questions and answers
Why did my croquetas burst in the oil?
The filling was too soft, the coating had gaps, or the oil was not hot enough. Chill the filling fully, coat twice and fry at 175°C (350°F).
Can I use chicken instead of ham?
Yes. Cooked, finely shredded chicken works with the same sauce. Add a spoonful of chopped parsley and a little more nutmeg.
Can I bake or air fry croquetas?
Yes. Spray them with oil and bake at 220°C (425°F) for 15 to 18 minutes, or air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 8 to 10 minutes. The crust will be less crisp.
How long does it take to make Croquetas de Jamón (Cuban Ham Croquettes)?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Croquetas de Jamón (Cuban Ham Croquettes)?
About 320 kcal per serving, with 13 g of protein, 27 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 320 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 13 g |
| Carbohydrates | 27 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
