Authentic Spanish Croquettes

Croquettes are a common and popular snack in Spain, beloved for their creamy and cheesy flavors. Making croquettes from scratch is a little bit time-consuming, but will definitely be worth the effort. Here is a simple and delicious recipe for Spanish-style croquettes that you can enjoy at home.

Ingredients:

  • 1 kg of potatoes

  • ½ cup of white onion, diced

  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced

  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil

  • ½ cup parsley, chopped

  • 50g of butter, melted

  • 250ml of milk

  • 100g of manchego cheese, grated

  • 100g of any type of ham, diced

  • 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg

  • 2 tablespoons of breadcrumbs, plus extra for coating

  • 1 egg, lightly beaten

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • Vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the potatoes

Wash and peel the potatoes, then cut them into small cubes. Place them in a medium-sized pot and cover with cold water. Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the potatoes to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat and let the potatoes simmer for about 10 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain the potatoes and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the onion and garlic

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the onion and garlic. Cook until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped parsley and stir together until combined and fragrant. Remove the mixture from the heat and set aside.

Step 3: Make the mashed potato mixture

In a large bowl, add the cooked potatoes and the butter. Mash together until a smooth spreadable consistency is achieved. Add the milk, Parmesan cheese, ham, nutmeg, and the cooked onion and garlic mixture. Mix well.

Step 4: Form the croquettes

Place the breadcrumbs on a separate plate. Using wet hands, scoop about 2 tablespoons of the mashed potato mixture and shape it into a cylinder. Roll in the breadcrumbs, then dip in beaten egg. Place the coated croquette on a clean plate. Continue this process until all of the mashed potato mixture is gone.

Step 5: Fry the croquettes

Fill a medium-sized saucepan with vegetable oil, about 2 inches deep. Heat the oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, gently add the croquettes and fry for a few minutes until golden brown. Remove the croquettes with a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil. Serve warm.

Enjoy!