Potato Croquettes Recipe - Spanish Sabores (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Lauren Aloise · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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These quick and easy potato croquettes are infused with the delicious flavor of Manchego cheese for a Spanish twist on a classic. My irresistible potato croquettes recipe is perfect for dipping in spicy bravas sauce, tangy alioli, or creamy romesco. This cheap and easy recipe is a family favorite in my house -- my kids and husband can't get enough!

Potato Croquettes Recipe - Spanish Sabores (1)

Croquettes are one of the most popular Spanish tapas. And while Spanish ham croquettes reign supreme, there are plenty of other options worth seeking out. From dark black squid ink croquettes to delicious and creamy cod croquettes (my favorites!) -- the sky is the limit. There are even dessert croquettes in some modern places!

But one of my favorite croquettes recipes is actually simple potato and cheese croquettes. And the main reason? They're quick!

These are ready in no time (the longest wait is boiling the potatoes) whereas for more traditional croquettes you have to wait for the bechamel sauce to cool down (which takes at least four hours in the fridge).

So when I want to make these, I simply boil a few potatoes in advance, and then the actual croquettes process takes only about 20 minutes! Well worth the effort I'd say.

The most classic potato croquettes have nothing but potato and egg, but I like these ones because they have delicious Manchego cheese as well. If you are a cheese lover (like me) add extra. Not into cheese? Just omit! And if you want to go crazy you could also add some Spanish jamón and/or some champiñones al ajillo (garlic mushrooms) to the mix. These are super versatile -- go crazy!

Key Ingredients

Key Ingredients: Potatoes, egg, salt, pepper, cheese, flour, breadcrumbs, and oil.

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Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

These potato and cheese croquettes are super versatile -- make them your own!

  • Potatoes: Don't use new potatoes - go for something like Russet or Yukon Gold. The texture will be better. I also highly recommend investing in a potato ricer (like an enormous garlic press for potatoes!). This is also a tool needed to make homemade gnocchi (by the way!). The ricer helps the potatoes stay light and fluffy, a key to a good potato croquette.
  • Spices: These are very simple -- just salt and pepper. But feel free to mix things up with a bit of cayenne -- curry powder (while not at all traditional) is also delicious.
  • Cheese: I love these with Manchego cheese. The flavor isn't overpowering, but it's definitely there. I add ¾ cup shredded cheese to the recipe, but you can add less (for an even subtler taste), omit altogether, or add more!
  • Breadcrumbs: I used classic store-bought breadcrumbs here, but feel free to make your own or mix things up with panko with extra crunch!
  • Oil: Use virgin or extra virgin olive oil to fry if able (it's what we use in Spain and one of the reasons our fried foods are still healthy!). If you must substitute use a neutral oil like sunflower or canola.
  • Additions: The best part of these croquettes is how easy they are to adapt! Add jamón, chorizo, extra cheese, sauteed mushrooms... the sky is the limit!

Serving Suggestions

I love these croquettes as a starter, or as a part of any Spanish tapas feast. They can be part of a full meal, or a simple snack (and are delicious any time of day -- even for brunch!). If you like sauces with your fried foods, these go well with any Spanish sauce -- try them with homemade bravas sauce, alioli, mojo picón, or even romesco sauce.

More Easy Fried Tapas Recipes

If you're already heating up the oil to fry these croquettes, why not add a few more tapas to the menu?

  • Pimientos de Padrón: Spain's famous fried green peppers. Flash fried and sprinkled with sea salt!
  • Shrimp fritters: These delicious Andalusian specialties are the best part of summer meals!
  • Ham Croquettes: The most famous Spanish croquette recipe with good reason -- they are delicious!
  • Fried Calamari: Tender fried rings of squid, Spanish style!

Hungry for more? Sign up for my free weekly newsletter and receive a new Spanish recipe once a week! Join today and get my FREE Spanish ingredient essentials guide!

Potato Croquettes Recipe - Traditional Spanish Recipe

Potato Croquettes Recipe - Spanish Sabores (3)

Potato Croquettes

Creamy potato and cheese croquettes are easy to make and a delicious snack any time of day.

4.89 from 9 votes

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Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 20 croquettes (approx.)

Calories: 82.29kcal

Author: Lauren Aloise

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs potatoes (680 grams) Yukon Gold and Russet both work well. Boiled until soft (about 20-25 minutes), riced or mashed, and left to cool.
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 2 teaspoon salt I recommend adding the salt before the beaten egg so that you can taste the filling and make sure to season properly. I tend to add a bit more salt but two teaspoons is a good starting point.
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper Same thing with the pepper -- I often add two teaspoon but I love the flavor of black pepper in these!
  • ¾ cup grated cured Manchego cheese (about 60 grams) You can sub any cured sheep's milk cheese here for a similar taste, though Manchego is absolutely perfect!
  • ½ cup Flour as needed for breading process (start with about ½ a cup, or 60 grams)
  • 2 eggs beaten (for the breading process -- if your eggs are large you might be able to use only one with a splash of water)
  • ¾ cup Breadcrumbs 100 grams. You can probably use less but I like having plenty to bread a few at a time.
  • olive oil for frying (olive oil is preferred and does affect the taste -- but if you must substitute use a neutral oil such as sunflower).

Instructions

  • Wash and peel the potatoes and cut them into equal sized chunks if they are large.

  • Cover them with cold water and bring to a boil.

  • Add salt and boil until a butter knife pierces through easily.

  • Strain all the water and pass through a potato ricer (preferred method) or mash until just mashed -- you don't want to make them dense here (which is why the potato ricer is worth investing in!). Let them cool.

  • To make the croquette filling, mix the riced potatoes with the beaten egg, salt, pepper, and cheese. Do not overmix. If you want to taste the filling for seasoning, just add the egg as the last step.

  • Next, while heating a pan full of olive oil on the stove, pass the croquettes through the three step breading process. First, cover them in flour, then in beaten egg, and, finally, in the breadcrumbs.

  • Deep fry the croquettes in hot olive oil (if available) or vegetable oil/sunflower oil if not. They should take 3-4 minutes to brown. You can also pan fry them in less oil, flipping halfway through, but make sure they cook evenly on all sides.

  • Let the potato croquettes rest on paper towels and serve hot with dipping sauces if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 82.29kcal | Carbohydrates: 10.38g | Protein: 3.27g | Fat: 3.05g | Saturated Fat: 1.41g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.28g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.78g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 29.09mg | Sodium: 289.54mg | Potassium: 162.35mg | Fiber: 0.98g | Sugar: 0.47g | Vitamin A: 60.17IU | Vitamin C: 6.7mg | Calcium: 59.12mg | Iron: 0.67mg

Did you make this recipe?Tag @spanishsabores on IG and hashtag it #spanishsabores!

This potato croquettes recipe is my go-to tapas dish for a fun party, and kids love them too! They may be time-consuming, but worth every bite!

See Also

  • Salt Cod Croquettes (Croquetas de Bacalao)

  • Spanish Ham Croquettes (Croquetas de Jamón Serrano)

More Recipes

  • Traditional Spanish Sofrito Recipe
  • Lentejas con Chorizo Recipe
  • Spanish Albóndigas in Almond Sauce
  • Marinated Carrots (Zanahorias Aliñadas)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary

    Love making these, I’ve also made it with sweet potatoes

    Reply

  2. Jeneva Takasawa

    Potato Croquettes Recipe - Spanish Sabores (10)
    It's scrumptious - I added bits of ham not too much, though. Thanks again, Lauren!

    Reply

  3. johnn

    nice and tasty

    Reply

  4. Shirlee Wechsler

    I have not tried thehe recipe,will give review later

    Reply

  5. David Crichton

    I'm loving how you've made these croquettes, Lauren. No breadcrumbs, where's the aioli and they'll be gone in seconds.

    We share some locations between us. I was offered a soccer scholarship at your University back in the day. I then lived in Jerez for a year while I was doing my flying training. I don't have any Madrid connections!

    Looking forward to your updates.

    Dave

    Reply

  6. Jessica of HolaYessica

    I'm with Paddy on this one - I'm a bad cook but good taster! These look amazing, I've never tried potato croquettes before.

    Reply

  7. Christine

    Mmm, those sound great!

    Reply

  8. Paddy Waller

    Potato Croquettes Recipe - Spanish Sabores (11)
    I am a terrible cook but an amazingly good taster. These sound right up my street especially with spicy bravas sauce

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Potato Croquettes Recipe - Spanish Sabores (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between French and Spanish croquettes? ›

French croquettes are held together by potatoes. Croquetas de pollo are fried savory patties enjoyed in Spain and Latin America. This recipe is a Spanish version, featuring lightly seasoned chicken in a creamy bechamel sauce, formed into patties, coated in panko breadcrumbs and fried until crispy.

Why do my potato croquettes fall apart? ›

Why do my potato croquettes fall apart? Croquettes may fall apart during frying if the mixture is too wet. As the croquettes get hot, moisture turns to steam, causing them to get soggy and lose their shape. Adding more of a binding agent (beaten egg and/or flour) should help the mixture stay together.

What is the origin of croquettes in Spain? ›

Croquettes came to Spain from France, the latter of which use creamy potatoes as a base. While the French use potatoes for their croquettes, Spaniards use bechamel. This is a rich, creamy sauce that is the result of butter, flour, and milk, like a roux.

Are croquettes popular in Spain? ›

Croquettes are a Spanish speciality - extremely popular in Spain and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. They can be made with a variety of ingredients. The most popular are those with stew, ham, chicken, cheese or mushrooms. Croquettes are a traditional dish often served at family meals.

What are Spanish croquetas made of? ›

A croquette is a deep-fried roll with a creamy inner layer & a crispy breaded outer layer. The inner layer contains ingredients that range from vegetables, meats & leftover foods. These ingredients are mixed with a binder made from mashed potatoes or bechamel sauce (flour, milk & butter).

What are three types of croquette? ›

Called "croquetas" in Spanish, the most popular stuffing are mashed potatoes (croquetas de papa), ham and mozzarella cheese (croquetas de jamón y queso), and rice (croquetas de arroz). Sometimes, the rice ones have herbs and little ham cubes.

How do you stop croquettes from bursting when frying? ›

To prevent this, only fry the croquettes for three to four minutes — just enough time for the outside to crisp and the filling to heat through. Heat your oil to exactly 350°F. Any hotter can cause them to expand too rapidly and burst open.

How do you thicken mashed potatoes for croquettes? ›

Add a Thickening Agent

Potato flour and potato starch would work as well. Stir in the thickening agent gradually, about a tablespoon at a time, until the potatoes have reached your desired consistency. Be conservative, as too much thickener can lead to gluey mashed potatoes.

How do you thicken croquettes mixture? ›

Add the flour, mix to combine with the butter and cook for 3-5 minutes. Turn up the heat slightly and start to gradually add the milk a little at a time whisking to prevent any lumps. Once it starts to thicken up add more milk and continue whisking, repeat this till you've used up all the milk.

What is a bread is eaten at Christmas in Spain? ›

Roscón de Reyes

This ring-shaped cake is perhaps more similar to a brioche or a sweet bread, topped with slices of candied fruit, to represent the jewels on a king's crown.

What do Italians call croquettes? ›

Cazzilli (also known as Crocche) are traditional Italian potato croquettes that are made with mashed potato, salt and pepper, and fresh parsley. They are deep-fried in hot oil until they are golden brown and crunchy.

What is the national snack of Spain? ›

In Spain, it is called tortilla de patata (potato omelet) because it is made with potatoes and eggs, along with onion for flavor. More like a crustless quiche than an omelet, tortilla Espanola is cut into wedges and served as tapas, mid-morning snacks, or sliced and used as a filling for a sandwich.

What is the top 3 most popular foods in Spain? ›

Popular Spanish Food in Spain
  • Paella: A Spanish Rice Delight. Widely regarded by tourists as Spain's national dish, paella is always a crowd-pleaser and family favorite. ...
  • Chorizo: Pork for Your Fork. ...
  • Jamón: Ham with the Fam(ily) ...
  • Empanada: A Meat-Filled Thrill. ...
  • Churros: A Cinnamon-Packed Snack.

What are two foods that Spain is known for? ›

From Padron peppers to patatas bravas, and turrón to tapas, Spain knows how to pull out the stops when it comes to delicious food. Spanish food is simple and uses fresh, local ingredients, so it's no wonder dishes like paella and tapas have rightfully put the country on the world foodie map.

What is the difference between Japanese croquette and French croquette? ›

Korokke was introduced in Japan around the late 1800s as a potato filling instead of the traditional French creamy croquettes due to the lack of dairy in Japan.

Are croquettes Spanish or Dutch? ›

The croquette is not a Dutch, but a French invention. In 1691 the cook of Louis XIV wrote a recipe for 'croquets'. 2. Croquette is derived from the French word 'croquer', which means nibbling.

What is potato croquette in French? ›

Historically, potato croquettes (or croquettes de pommes de terre in French) rely on pommes duch*esse―seasoned potatoes mounted with butter and egg yolks―much like traditional recipes for pommes dauphine.

What does la croquette mean? ›

noun. a small cake or ball of minced meat, poultry, or fish, or of rice, potato, or other food, often coated with beaten egg and breadcrumbs, and fried in deep fat.

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