Bechamel croquettes with jamón ibérico and cheese
These indulgent Spanish croquettes pair creamy béchamel with jamón ibérico and manchego cheese for exceptional depth of flavour. Golden, crisp, and luxurious, they’re perfect for entertaining or treating yourself. Every bite combines savoury ham, nutty cheese, and smooth sauce in true Spanish tapas tradition.
Ingredients
- 70 g butter unsalted
- 80 g plain flour
- 700 ml whole milk warmed
- 120 g jamón ibérico finely chopped
- 60 g manchego cheese grated
- 20 g parmesan grated
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ tsp Ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 eggs large, beaten
- 120 g breadcrumbs preferably panko
- Oil for frying light olive or sunflower
Instructions
- Melt the butter gently in a saucepan, stir in the flour, and cook for two minutes until smooth and pale. Gradually whisk in the warm milk, a little at a time, until the sauce thickens. Stir in the jamón ibérico, cheeses, mustard, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Mix well until glossy and uniform.
- Spread the mixture into a dish, drizzle lightly with olive oil, and let it cool completely. Cover and chill for four hours or overnight. Once firm, shape into ovals, roll in flour, dip in beaten egg, and coat in breadcrumbs. Chill again before cooking.
- Fry in hot oil at 180°C for two to three minutes until golden brown. Drain on kitchen paper and serve hot, ideally with a glass of something Spanish.
Notes
Use jamón ibérico de cebo if you can—it’s slightly more affordable than the bellota variety but still packed with flavour. The cheese blend adds complexity: manchego for nuttiness, parmesan for sharpness. If you can’t find manchego, mature cheddar works well as a substitute.
Warm milk helps the béchamel form smoothly, and panko breadcrumbs make the croquettes extra crisp. You can use standard dried crumbs if you prefer a finer crust.
Nutrition
Calories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 10gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 380mgPotassium: 160mgFiber: 0.8gSugar: 1.6gVitamin A: 330IUCalcium: 110mgIron: 0.8mg
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