Okay, listen up! If there’s one thing I absolutely *love* whipping up for a party or just a really good snack, it’s these amazing Ham and Cheese Croquettes. Seriously, they’re little bites of pure magic! That perfect crunch on the outside, giving way to a warm, creamy, savory filling inside… oh man, my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

These aren’t some fussy, complicated things, either. This recipe is a total classic for a reason – simple ingredients, incredible flavor, and they disappear faster than you can make them! I remember making these for the first time years ago for a holiday get-together, and everyone was asking for the recipe. They’re just perfect little handheld appetizers that feel a bit fancy but are totally low-key to make. Trust me on this one, these Ham and Cheese Croquettes are going to be your new go-to!

Why You’ll Love These Ham and Cheese Croquettes

These Ham and Cheese Croquettes aren’t just tasty little bites; they’re going to make you feel like a kitchen superstar without breaking a sweat! Here’s why they’re a total winner:

They’re incredibly delicious – that crispy shell and creamy inside is just *chef’s kiss*!
Surprisingly easy to make, even if you’re new to frying.
Perfect for parties, snacks, or just because!
You can totally make them ahead of time.
Everyone absolutely loves them!

Easy to Make Ham and Cheese Croquettes

Honestly, don’t be intimidated by the idea of making Ham and Cheese Croquettes from scratch. This recipe breaks it down into super simple steps. You’re basically making a thick sauce, mixing in the good stuff, chilling it (the hardest part is waiting!), shaping, and then giving them a little dip and fry. It’s much more straightforward than you might think!

Delicious Ham and Cheese Croquettes

Okay, let’s talk about the taste. The outside is that perfect, golden brown crisp you get from frying – so satisfying! Then you bite in, and it’s this smooth, creamy center packed with that salty, savory ham and gooey, melted cheese. It’s seriously an explosion of flavor and texture in every single bite. You get the richness from the cheese, the lovely bite from the ham, all wrapped up in that amazing crisp shell. Pure comfort food!

Ingredients for Ham and Cheese Croquettes

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! The beauty of these Ham and Cheese Croquettes is that you probably have most of this stuff hanging around your kitchen already. We’re building on a simple base, so using good-quality ingredients really makes a difference. Here’s what you’ll need:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter (because we’re adding salty ham and cheese!)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (our thickening magic)
1 cup whole milk (gives us that creamy richness)
1/2 cup finely diced ham (use a good quality cooked ham, leftover holiday ham is *amazing* here!)
1/2 cup shredded cheese (I usually go for Gruyere or a sharp cheddar, but honestly, your favorite melty cheese works!)
Salt to taste (start small, the ham and cheese add saltiness)
Freshly ground black pepper to taste (adds a little warmth)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for our first dredge)
2 large eggs, lightly beaten (our glue!)
1 cup breadcrumbs (Panko gives an extra crispy crunch, but regular is fine too)
Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil are all good choices)

See? Nothing too crazy! Just simple things coming together for something truly delicious.

How to Make Ham and Cheese Croquettes

Okay, now for the fun part – making these little beauties! Don’t overthink it. We’re going to break it down step-by-step, and you’ll see how simple it really is to get those perfect Ham and Cheese Croquettes ready for snacking. The key is patience, especially when it comes to chilling time!

Preparing the Base for Ham and Cheese Croquettes

First things first, we need to make the creamy center. Think of it like a super thick cheese sauce. Grab a medium saucepan and melt that butter over medium heat. Once it’s nice and bubbly, whisk in the flour. You want to cook this for just about a minute, stirring constantly. This is called a roux, and it helps cook out that raw flour taste. Don’t let it brown, just a gentle cook is what we’re after.

Now, slowly, slowly whisk in your milk. Do it a little at a time, whisking until it’s smooth before adding more. This prevents lumps! Keep whisking constantly as it cooks. It will start to thicken up pretty quickly, until it’s a really thick, almost paste-like consistency. You’re basically making a very sturdy béchamel sauce here.

Once it’s thick, take it off the heat. This is where the magic happens! Stir in your finely diced ham and that lovely shredded cheese. Add your salt and pepper now too. Remember, taste and adjust! The ham and cheese add saltiness, so season carefully. Stir it all together until the cheese is melted and everything is evenly distributed. It should be a really thick, sticky mixture.

Now, and this is important, spread this mixture out onto a plate or a shallow dish. You want it in a layer so it cools down faster. Cover it with plastic wrap, pressing it right onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Pop this in the fridge for at least an hour. Seriously, don’t skip this step! The mixture needs to be firm enough to shape, or you’ll have a melty mess.

Shaping and Coating Ham and Cheese Croquettes

Okay, your mixture should be nice and firm now. Time to get your hands a little messy in the best way! Scoop out small portions and shape them into little cylinders or balls. Whatever shape you like! Aim for roughly the same size so they cook evenly.

Now, let’s set up our dredging station. Get three shallow dishes. Put flour in the first one, your beaten eggs in the second, and your breadcrumbs in the third. Take each shaped croquette, gently roll it in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip it in the egg, letting the extra drip off. Finally, roll it in the breadcrumbs, making sure it’s completely coated. Give it a little pat to help the breadcrumbs stick. Place the coated croquettes on a clean plate or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper as you go.

Frying Your Ham and Cheese Croquettes

Almost there! Heat up your oil in a deep fryer or a large, heavy-bottomed pot. You want it to reach 350°F (175°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test it by dropping a tiny piece of breadcrumb in – it should sizzle and turn golden brown in about 30 seconds.

Carefully, using a slotted spoon or a spider, lower a few croquettes into the hot oil. Don’t overcrowd the pot! Cooking them in batches ensures the oil stays hot and they fry up nice and crispy, not greasy. Fry them for about 2-3 minutes, or until they are beautiful golden brown all over. They’ll float when they’re getting close.

Lift them out with your slotted spoon and let the excess oil drain off. Place them on a plate lined with paper towels to catch any remaining oil. Repeat with the rest of the croquettes. Serve these guys hot! That’s when they’re absolutely the best.

Tips for Perfect Ham and Cheese Croquettes

Making these Ham and Cheese Croquettes is pretty straightforward, but a few little tricks can take them from good to absolutely amazing! Trust me on these:

**Chill, chill, chill!** Seriously, don’t rush the chilling time for the mixture. If it’s not firm enough, shaping and coating will be a nightmare. An hour is the minimum, but longer is even better.
**Season your base!** Taste the ham and cheese mixture before you chill it and adjust the salt and pepper. It needs to taste good *before* it’s fried.
**Don’t overcrowd the pot!** Frying in batches keeps the oil hot and ensures those crispy exteriors. Too many at once will lower the oil temp and make them greasy.
**Get your oil to temp!** Using a thermometer is a game-changer here. 350°F is the sweet spot for quick, crispy frying without burning.

Follow these little tips, and you’ll have perfect Ham and Cheese Croquettes every single time!

Storing and Reheating Ham and Cheese Croquettes

If by some miracle you actually have any Ham and Cheese Croquettes leftover (seriously, good luck!), they store pretty well. Just pop them in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of days. To reheat them and get that glorious crispiness back, skip the microwave! The best way is in the oven or an air fryer at around 350°F (175°C) until they’re heated through and crispy again. Takes about 10-15 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ham and Cheese Croquettes

Okay, I know you might have a few questions buzzing around in your head about making these Ham and Cheese Croquettes. It’s totally normal! Let’s tackle some of the common ones I get asked:

Q: Can I bake these Ham and Cheese Croquettes instead of frying them?
A: You totally can, but they won’t be quite as crispy as fried ones. If you want to try baking, lightly brush or spray them with oil and bake at around 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown. They’re still delicious, just a slightly different texture!

Q: How do I make sure my croquettes don’t fall apart when frying?
A: The biggest thing is making sure your mixture is *really* well chilled before shaping. This helps them hold their shape. Also, make sure your dredging station steps are solid – flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs – for a good coating that seals everything in. And don’t overcrowd the fryer!

Q: Can I freeze these Ham and Cheese Croquettes?
A: Yes! You can freeze them *before* frying. Shape and coat them as usual, then place them on a baking sheet in the freezer until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. You can fry them directly from frozen, just add a couple more minutes to the cooking time.

Q: What kind of ham and cheese is best?
A: For the ham, I like a good quality cooked ham, like deli ham or leftover holiday ham. Avoid super watery or fatty ham. For cheese, anything that melts well is great! Gruyere gives a lovely nutty flavor, cheddar is classic, or even a mix of cheeses works. Just make sure it’s shredded so it melts evenly.

Estimated Nutritional Information for Ham and Cheese Croquettes

Okay, so while we all know these Ham and Cheese Croquettes are a treat, sometimes it’s helpful to have a general idea of what’s in them. Just a heads-up though, these numbers are totally estimates! They can change a lot depending on the exact type of ham and cheese you use, the brand, how much oil your croquettes soak up during frying, and even the size you make them. Think of this as a ballpark figure, not a strict rule!

Make These Ham and Cheese Croquettes Today

Seriously, you need to try these Ham and Cheese Croquettes! They are such crowd-pleasers and surprisingly simple to make. Whip up a batch for your next get-together or just because you deserve a delicious snack. Give them a go, and let me know how they turn out in the comments below! I love hearing about your kitchen adventures!

Amazing Ham and Cheese Croquettes in 2 mins prep

Author: goforecipes.com
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Yield: 12 croquettes 1x
Diet: None

Print Recipe

Description

Crispy croquettes filled with a savory mixture of ham and cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1/2 cup finely diced ham
1/2 cup shredded cheese (such as Gruyere or cheddar)
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup breadcrumbs
Oil for frying

Instructions

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
Remove from heat and stir in diced ham, shredded cheese, salt, and pepper.
Spread the mixture onto a plate and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
Shape the chilled mixture into small cylinders or balls.
Set up a dredging station with three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs.
Dip each croquette in flour, then in egg, and finally coat with breadcrumbs.
Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C).
Fry croquettes in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per batch.
Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Serve hot.

Notes

Ensure the mixture is well-chilled before shaping.
Do not overcrowd the fryer when cooking.
Croquettes can be made ahead and reheated in the oven.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Frying
Cuisine: European

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 croquettes
Calories: 300
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 400mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 10g
Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: ham, cheese, croquettes, appetizer, fried, snack