In Spanish tapas cuisine, the main filling of croquetas de jamón is ham.
Croquetas de jamón are Spanish croquettes made from a thick béchamel-style mixture flavored with ham. The mixture is chilled until firm, shaped into cylinders or ovals, coated in breadcrumbs, and fried. The result has a crisp exterior and a soft, creamy interior.
Spanish croquettes can contain many fillings, including chicken, cod, mushrooms, or spinach, but the ham version is one of the most familiar tapas-bar varieties. Cured Spanish ham gives the filling a concentrated savory flavor, so the mixture usually needs little additional seasoning.
The dish is related to the broader European croquette tradition, whose name comes through French from a word meaning “to crunch.” Spanish croquetas are often made from leftovers or prepared mixtures, but good versions require careful cooling and frying so they do not split in hot oil.
Croquetas de jamón are not simply fried pieces of ham: the ham is incorporated into the creamy filling.