Appetizer · Snack · Spanish ·

Crispy Spanish Croquetas de Jamón with Saffron Aioli

Name: Crispy Spanish Croquetas de Jamón with Saffron Aioli
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Appetizer
Ingredients: 1 cup diced Jamón Serrano or prosciutto; 1/4 cup unsalted butter; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 2 cups whole milk, warmed; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 large eggs, beaten; 1 cup breadcrumbs; Vegetable oil for frying; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads, steeped in 1 tbsp hot water; 1 tbsp lemon juice; Salt to taste

Delight in these traditional Spanish appetizers, rich with the flavors of Iberian ham and complemented by a luxurious saffron aioli.

4.6(562 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·October 31, 2025

Crispy Spanish Croquetas de Jamón with Saffron Aioli — Appetizer served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Croquettes

For the Coating

For the Saffron Aioli

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 509 kcal
Protein: 15 g
Carbs: 27 g
Fat: 37 g
Fiber: 1 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2779 kcal
Protein: 80 g
Carbs: 151 g
Fat: 205 g
Fiber: 6 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
1 cup diced Jamón Serrano or prosciutto	300	30	2	20	0
1/4 cup unsalted butter	400	0	0	45	0
1/2 cup all-purpose flour	230	6	48	1	2
2 cups whole milk, warmed	300	16	24	16	0
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
2 large eggs, beaten	140	12	1	10	0
1 cup breadcrumbs	400	14	74	5	4
Vegetable oil for frying	250	0	0	28	0
1/2 cup mayonnaise	750	2	0	80	0
1 clove garlic, minced	5	0	1	0	0
1/4 teaspoon saffron threads, steeped in 1 tbsp hot water	1	0	0	0	0
1 tbsp lemon juice	3	0	1	0	0
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Making the Béchamel

1
Melt Butter
Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat.
2
Whisk in Flour
Whisk in flour to form a roux and cook for 2 minutes until lightly golden.
3
Add Milk & Ham
Gradually add warm milk, whisking continuously until thickened. Stir in diced ham, season with salt and pepper.
4
Chill Mixture
Refrigerate the béchamel mixture until firm (preferably overnight).

Preparing the Croquettes

1
Shape Croquettes
Shape the chilled béchamel mixture into small balls or cylinders.
2
Coat Croquettes
Dredge in flour, dip in beaten eggs, then coat with breadcrumbs and refrigerate for 15 minutes to set.
Tip: ⚠ Important: Ensure croquettes are completely chilled before frying to prevent bursting. 💡 Pro Tip: Double-coat for extra crispiness by repeating the egg wash and breadcrumb steps.

How to Make Crispy Spanish Croquetas de Jamón with Saffron Aioli

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Fry Croquettes
Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry croquettes in batches until golden brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes.
2
Drain Croquettes
Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
3
Mix Aioli
Blend mayonnaise, garlic, saffron infusion, lemon juice, and salt until smooth.