Traditional Croqueta

2023-07-21

By Foodie

Spanish Cuisine

Appetizer

Make Perfect Croquetas: Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, and Air Fryer Methods for Crispy, Creamy Results

Slow Cooker Croquetas Filling: Creamy, Flavorful, and Easy to Prepare

Use the slow cooker to make the creamy filling for your croquetas. Whether you're using ham, chicken, or mushrooms, slow-cook the ingredients with a bit of butter, flour, and milk to achieve a smooth and flavorful mixture. Once the filling is ready, let it cool before shaping into croquettes.

Instant Pot Croquetas: Quick and Creamy Filling with Perfect Béchamel Sauce

Use the Instant Pot's "saute" function to quickly cook your filling ingredients (such as ham, chicken, or seafood) with butter and spices. Then, switch to the "slow cook" setting to create a smooth béchamel sauce, giving you a creamy and flavorful base for your croquetas, all in less time.

Air Fryer Croquetas: Golden, Crispy Perfection with Less Oil

After shaping your croquetas, use the air fryer’s "air crisp" function to cook them to golden perfection. This method requires minimal oil, while still producing a crispy, crunchy exterior, giving you a healthier and faster alternative to deep frying.

Tips and Suggestions on Croqueta Española

Making the béchamel

The base of Croquetas Españolas is béchamel sauce, which requires a delicate balance of butter, flour, and milk. Overcooking or undercooking the béchamel can turn your croquetas lumpy or dry.

Preparing the filling

The filling should be cooked and cooled before adding it to the béchamel sauce. The filling should also be finely chopped or blended to avoid lumps in the béchamel.

Shaping the croquetas

Croquetas Españolas can be tricky to shape as it requires the use of your hands and a bit of skill. It's important to shape them thinly and evenly, to ensure even cooking.

Coating croquetas

The coating should be made with eggs, flour, and breadcrumbs. It's important to dip the croquetas in the coating mix evenly and coat them properly.

Frying the croquetas

Frying the croquetas requires a correct temperature and oil level. Overcrowding the pan or having a too low or high temperature can result in the croquetas not cooking evenly or becoming too oily. It's important to use a thermometer and maintain a constant temperature while frying.

Classic Croqueta Española Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup vegan butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 onion, grated
  • 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup vegan cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup mushrooms, chopped
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions

  1. In a skillet, melt the vegan butter over medium heat.
  2. Add the flour and whisk constantly until a thick paste forms, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Gradually add the almond milk, whisking constantly, until the mixture becomes smooth and thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Add the garlic, onion, and nutmeg and stir to combine.
  5. Fold in the vegan cheese and chopped mushrooms until well combined.
  6. Remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool for 10 minutes.
  7. Form the cooled mixture into small balls and roll in the breadcrumbs to coat.
  8. Heat the oil in a deep fryer or skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil reaches 350°F (180°C), add the croquetas in batches and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per batch.
  9. Serve hot with your favorite sauce or dip.

Cooking Time

Preparation Time 15 min

Cook Time 30 min

Total time 45 min

Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 112
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Protein: 3 g

Variations for Croqueta Española

Broccoli & Cheese Croquettes

This version is made by blending finely chopped broccoli with creamy cheese, coating in breadcrumbs, and frying until golden for a deliciously cheesy snack.

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Manchego Cheese Croquetas

This version is made by combining rich Manchego cheese with a creamy béchamel, breading the mixture, and frying until crispy and golden.

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Tuna Croquettes

This version is made by mixing flaky tuna with mashed potatoes, onions, and herbs, then coating and frying until crispy and golden.

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Calamari Croquettes

This version is made by blending tender calamari with creamy potatoes, herbs, and spices, then breading and frying until golden and crispy.

Calamari Croquettes

Chicken Croquettes

This version is made by combining shredded chicken with creamy sauce, herbs, and spices, then shaping, breading, and frying until crisp.

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Salmon Croquettes

This version is made by mixing flaky salmon with breadcrumbs, herbs, and spices, then shaping and frying until golden brown and crispy.

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Shrimp Croquettes

This version is made by blending finely chopped shrimp with creamy sauce, herbs, and spices, then shaping and frying until golden and crispy.

Croquetas De Gambas (Shrimp Croquettes)

Octopus Croquettes

This version is made by combining tender, chopped octopus with seasoned mashed potatoes, herbs, and spices, then frying until golden and crispy.

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Vegan Croquettes

This version is made by mixing mashed chickpeas, vegetables, and flavorful herbs, then shaping and baking or frying until golden and crispy.

Vegan Croquettes (Spanish Croquetas)

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