Air fryer croquettes with serrano ham and béchamel

These Spanish croquettes combine creamy béchamel and savoury serrano ham for rich, flavourful filling, finished in the air fryer for a crisp crust without deep frying. Perfect for tapas or snacks, they deliver that classic golden crunch in a lighter, modern way—ideal for easy entertaining or midweek meals.

Course Main Course

Cuisine European, Mediterranean, Spanish

Keyword air fryer, creamy croquettes, light tapas, serrano ham, spanish snack

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 12

Chilling time 4

Total Time 4 32

Servings Servings

Calories 200

Author Kitchen Team @ Spooning and Forking

Ingredients

70 g butter unsalted
80 g plain flour
700 ml whole milk warmed
100 g serrano ham finely chopped
50 g manchego cheese grated
1 tsp Dijon mustard
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp white pepper
1 tsp sea salt
2 eggs large, beaten
120 g breadcrumbs preferably panko
1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
Cooking spray or light oil for air fryer

Instructions

Start by melting the butter in a pan, then stir in the flour to form a roux. Cook gently for two minutes, then whisk in the warm milk gradually until smooth and thick.
Add the chopped serrano ham, grated cheese, mustard, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything melts together into a creamy béchamel.
Spread the mixture into a dish, drizzle with olive oil to stop a skin forming, and leave to cool. Cover and chill for four hours or overnight until firm. Once set, shape the mixture into small ovals, coat each one in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Lightly spray with oil and place on a parchment-lined tray.
Preheat your air fryer to 190°C. Arrange the croquettes in a single layer, leaving a little space between them. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crisp. Serve hot, ideally straight from the basket.

Notes

The serrano ham should be finely chopped so it disperses evenly through the béchamel. Manchego is ideal for its nutty taste, though any firm cheese works. The breadcrumbs make all the difference—panko gives that extra crunch when air fried.

Always brush or spray the croquettes with a light coating of oil before air frying. It helps the crumbs toast evenly and gives them that classic golden finish.

Nutrition