Croquetas de Jamon

5 from 3 votes

These mouth-watering croquetas de jamon are a Cuban classic! They have a crispy exterior with a soft inside and are absolutely delicious!

Prep Time20

Cook Time2

Refrigerate and Freeze1 30

Total Time1 52

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Cuban

Servings:

Calories: 200kcal

Place the ham in a food processor and blend for a few seconds or until smooth.
Add the butter to a large skillet and allow it to melt completely.
Stir in the onions and cook for 2 minutes or until soften.
Stir in the garlic and cook for 15 seconds.
Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. This will help to get rid of that raw flour taste.
Whisk in the milk and then add the ham. Mix it continuously for a few minutes. Check for seasoning and add salt if needed. Remove it from the heat and allow it to cool completely. I like to place it in the fridge for 45 minutes.
Form ham mixture into 3/4-by-2-inch logs, dip in egg, then roll in breadcrumbs to coat.
Place them on a baking sheet and freeze for one hour.
Heat your oil to 350 degrees F. Deep fry the croquettes for 2-3 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy!

I highly recommend using a candy thermometer to measure the oil. You'll want the oil to be at 350 degrees F. If the oil is too hot, the croquetas will burn on the outside, and the inside will remain frozen.
The ham I used contained a lot of salt so I didn't have to add any additional salt, but feel free to season to taste.
You'll have to freeze the croquetas for at least an hour before frying otherwise they may fall apart. You don't have to thaw them. I recommend frying them as soon as you take them out of the freezer for best results.