{"id":"croquetas_752434fe4b","slug":"traditional-spanish-croquetas","title":"Traditional Spanish Croquetas","description":"Crispy on the outside and incredibly creamy on the inside, these traditional Spanish ham croquetas are a staple of Mediterranean tapas culture. Made with a rich béchamel base, they are the perfect savory snack.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":275,"activeMinutes":35},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"50g unsalted butter","name":"Butter","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.76,"usUnit":"oz","form":"unsalted","notes":"","group":"Béchamel Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"60g all-purpose flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":60,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"","group":"Béchamel Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"500ml whole milk","name":"Milk","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"at room temperature","group":"Béchamel Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"150g Serrano ham, finely chopped","name":"Serrano Ham","quantity":150,"unit":"g","usQuantity":5.3,"usUnit":"oz","form":"finely chopped","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 pinch of nutmeg","name":"Nutmeg","quantity":0.5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"ground","notes":"to taste","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"Salt to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":1,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"","notes":"be careful as the ham is salty","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"2 large eggs","name":"Egg","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"beaten","notes":"","group":"Coating","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"150g breadcrumbs","name":"Breadcrumbs","quantity":150,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1 1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"fine","notes":"","group":"Coating","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"Olive oil for frying","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"enough for deep frying","group":"Cooking","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.","group":"Béchamel Preparation","title":"In a large saucepan, melt the butter","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Béchamel Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Add the flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to form a roux without browning it.","group":"Béchamel Preparation","title":"Add the flour and cook","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Béchamel Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Slowly pour in the milk, a little at a time, whisking vigorously to prevent lumps. Continue until the sauce is thick and smooth.","group":"Béchamel Preparation","title":"Slowly pour in the milk, a little","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Béchamel Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Stir in the chopped Serrano ham, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.","group":"Béchamel Preparation","title":"Stir in the chopped Serrano ham, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt","timerMinutes":3,"sourceTitle":"Béchamel Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Spread the mixture into a shallow dish, cover with plastic wrap (touching the surface), and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.","group":"Chilling","title":"Spread the mixture","timerMinutes":240,"sourceTitle":"Chilling"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Take a tablespoon of the chilled dough and roll it between your palms to form a small cylinder or log.","group":"Shaping","title":"Take a tablespoon of the chilled dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Dip each croqueta first into the beaten eggs, then roll in breadcrumbs until evenly coated.","group":"Coating","title":"Dip each croqueta first","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Coating"},{"id":"instruction-8","text":"Heat olive oil in a deep pan to 350°F (177°C). Fry the croquetas in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Drain on paper towels before serving.","group":"Frying","title":"Heat olive oil in a deep pan","timerMinutes":3,"sourceTitle":"Frying"}],"notes":"Chilling the dough is the most important step; it must be firm enough to handle. Use a high-quality Serrano ham for the best flavor.","cuisine":{"group":"Western European","specific":["Spanish"]},"course":["appetizer"],"cookingMethod":["fry"],"equipment":["Saucepan","Whisk","Shallow dish","Deep frying pan","Slotted spoon"],"diet":["mediterranean"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk","eggs"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":20,"unit":"piece","note":"Makes approximately 20 medium-sized croquetas"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The béchamel dough can be made up to 2 days in advance and kept in the fridge. You can also freeze the breaded (unfried) croquetas."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftover fried croquetas in an airtight container. Reheat in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispness.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat at 350°F (177°C) for 5-8 minutes."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fcroquetas_752434fe4b%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=ddcf6e2e-ae6b-42b9-8f8b-44f939a17a6c","imageAlt":"Traditional Spanish Croquetas — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["tapas","creamy","crispy","spanish","fried","ham"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Traditional Spanish Croquetas","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T03:55:34.348Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T03:55:34.348Z","related":[{"id":"broodje_haring_91c744a5f1","slug":"broodje-haring-dutch-herring-sandwich","title":"Broodje Haring (Dutch Herring Sandwich)","description":"A quintessential Dutch street food staple. Fresh, salt-cured 'Hollandse Nieuwe' herring fillets served in a soft white bun with crunchy diced onions and tangy pickles.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Western European","specific":["Dutch"]},"course":["main","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["pescatarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbroodje_haring_91c744a5f1%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e6c0c431-ce68-4e25-b81b-d2aa6a339d06","imageAlt":"Broodje Haring (Dutch Herring Sandwich) — recipe cover","tags":["herring","sandwich","street food","dutch","seafood","quick"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":4},{"id":"pintxos_793e6bf7db","slug":"classic-spanish-pintxos","title":"Classic Spanish Pintxos","description":"A vibrant selection of traditional Basque-style appetizers featuring the iconic Gilda (olive, pepper, and anchovy) and savory glazed chorizo on crusty bread.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Western European","specific":["Spanish","Basque"]},"course":["appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["high_protein","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fpintxos_793e6bf7db%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=d49dd068-3f04-4e63-9c83-a986f589f036","imageAlt":"Classic Spanish Pintxos — recipe cover","tags":["pintxos","tapas","spanish","basque","appetizer","snack","chorizo","anchovy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":4},{"id":"tapas_b341d544d9","slug":"classic-spanish-tapas-gambas-al-ajillo","title":"Classic Spanish Tapas (Gambas al Ajillo)","description":"A sizzling and flavorful Spanish snack of shrimp sautéed in high-quality olive oil with plenty of garlic and a touch of chili. Best served with crusty bread to soak up the aromatic oil.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Western European","specific":["Spanish"]},"course":["appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["low_carb","high_protein","pescatarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Ftapas_b341d544d9%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b0652cb7-8b36-47dd-9ec6-6b4a5d62112b","imageAlt":"Classic Spanish Tapas (Gambas al Ajillo) — recipe cover","tags":["shrimp","garlic","tapas","seafood","quick","easy","spanish"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":5}]}