How to Make Cuban croquetas de jamón: A Complete Guide

I was a kid when I first had my croquetas and ever since then I had fallen head over heels for this dish. Over the years I have had many styles of croquetas de jamón but how my aunt used to make is still the best for me.

This is why I have decided to write down the recipe so ready to know, how to make Cuban croquetas de jamón.

You can also read this article: Arroz con pollo which can be your entree dish while the croquetas can be an appetizer.

What is a Croquette?

According to Wikipedia, “A croquette is a type of dumpling consisting of a thick binder combined with a filling, which is breaded and deep-fried; it is served as a side dish, a snack, or fast food worldwide.”

In love with Croquettes Cuban recipe? Who wouldn’t I ask as these are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside? A Cuban favorite party starter, croquettes will always leave you wanting more. If you want to start your party with a bang then read on to know how to cook Cuban croquetas de Jamon.

What ingredients do you need for cooking croquetas de Jamon?

Let’s kick off with the ingredients you need to make an easy ham Croquettes recipe.

Prep time 10 minutes

Cook time 20 minutes

Chilling time 2 hours

Total time 30 minutes

Ingredients needed for cooking:

• 3 tablespoons of butter
• 1 or 2 chopped small onion
• 2 minced cloves of garlic
• A quarter teaspoon of nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon dry sherry
• 1 tablespoon of finely chopped parsley 
• 1 to 2 teaspoon salt 
• A quarter of a teaspoon of pepper
• 3 to 4 cups of flour
• A cup of milk
• 1 pound of ground smoked ham
• A cup of bread crumbs
• 2 cups of oil for frying

Ingredients needed for coating:

• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon of water
• 1 cup dry bread crumbs
• Quarter cup flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Half a teaspoon of black pepper

Utensils needed for prepping:

• Food processor to make the bread crumbs
• Whisk to whisk the eggs and mix the sauce thoroughly
• Mixing Bowl for use in the coating process
• A skillet
• A frying pan

How to cook croquettes de jamon with simple steps:

Step #1
You would need to make a béchamel sauce first to make croquettes, in a pan melt butter then put in the garlic and onion to sauté them.

Step #2
Add the flour to the sautéd onion and garlic and then cook the flour.

Step #3
When the flour is sufficiently cooked add milk while stirring continuously to make the famous béchamel sauce.

Step #4
Stir until the sauce becomes pasty and then add the nutmeg, sherry, and parsley and mix it into the mixture.

Step #5
Add the ground ham and the cup of breadcrumbs to the sauce and mix it well.

Step #6
Let the mixture simmer for 4 to 5 minutes. Turn off the heat on the burner and let it cool before you check for the seasoning and add salt or pepper if necessary.

Step #7
With a tablespoon, take out small portions of the mixture and put them on a baking tray, this is done so the mixture cools down quickly.

A quick tip, rather than refrigerating the whole thing which will take time to cool. Make small portions and then chill them which will chill faster and have a greater chance of chilling through and through. You would need to chill the whole thing for at least an hour before even starting to think about frying.

Step #8
When the mixture is chilling you don’t have to chill yourself because you have to prepare the coating. For the coating, you need to take a mixing bowl and make an egg wash by mixing egg and water. Beat it until there is a frothiness to the egg and water mixture.

Step #9
In a different bowl add breadcrumbs and flour and mix it properly.

Step #10
Take the roux out of the refrigerator and start making it into the croquette shape or the shape of a log.

Step #11
Next, take a deep frying pan then heat the oil.

Step #12
First, dip the uncooked croquette logs in the breadcrumb and flour mixture then dip in the egg, and for the proper coating dip in the breadcrumb mixture one last time before putting it in the frier. Before putting it in make sure the oil is hot enough for deep frying.

Step #13
Fry it for 5 to 6 minutes to get the golden color. Unsoak the oil by using a kitchen towel.

Bonus Tips

You can serve this dish with Arroz Con Pollo and you can finish your meal with Coquito tres leches cake.

You can also eat the croquetas as late-night bites when you are snuggled in front of the TV.

Try our another delicious recipe: How to Make Dominican Quipes

To keep it warm:

To keep the croquettes toasty warm before your friends arrive, you can take a baking tray and put a sheet on it. Put each croquette on top of the sheet but keep them separate making sure they are not touching each other. Preheat the oven to around 180 degrees and place it inside the oven.

To Reheat:

If you want to take the croquettes to a party you will be going to later then you need to pack and reheat them later at that party.

After cooking them let them cool down and then store them in the box you are going to take to the party. You need to pack them lightly and keep the lid off as long as possible.

When reheating, preheat the oven to 400 degrees lay them over a cooking sheet on a baking tray, and cook them for 5 mins until they are cooked through. The excess oil in the croquettes will make them even more crispy so don’t any extra oils when reheating.

How long can you store croquettes?

You can freeze them for up to a year. And if you keep them in the airtight box you can refrigerate them for 5 days.

Wishing you all the very best, and leave a comment if you loved this recipe as much as loved sharing it.

Nutritional Value for deep-fried Croquettes

Energy 110 cal,

Protein 2.9 g,

Carbohydrates 16.5 g,

Fiber 0.6 g these are nutritional values per croquette you eat.