Dairy-Free Spanish Croquetas

Indulge in the crisp, golden perfection of Dairy-Free Spanish Croquetas, a plant-based twist on the classic Spanish tapa. These creamy, bite-sized delights feature a velvety béchamel made with unsweetened almond milk and seasoned with nutmeg and nutritional yeast for a hint of cheesy flavor—without the dairy! Filled with savory diced mushrooms or your favorite plant-based protein, these croquetas are coated in crunchy breadcrumbs and fried to golden perfection. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or party dish, they deliver traditional Spanish flavors with a modern, allergy-friendly twist. Serve them warm with your favorite dairy-free dipping sauce for a crowd-pleasing treat that’s irresistibly crispy on the outside and satisfyingly creamy on the inside. Tags: dairy-free croquetas recipe, Spanish tapas, plant-based appetizers, vegan croquettes.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:45 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
• 4 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 2 cups Unsweetened almond milk (or any dairy-free milk)
• 0.5 teaspoons Nutmeg
• 1 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Nutritional yeast (optional, for a cheesy flavor)
• 0.5 cups Finely diced onion
• 1 cup Cooked and diced mushrooms (or substitute cooked plant-based protein)
• 1.5 cups Breadcrumbs (dairy-free)
• 0.5 cups Chickpea flour
• 0.5 cups Water (for the batter)
• 2 cups Neutral oil (for frying)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 2

Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.

Step 3

Gradually whisk in the unsweetened almond milk, ensuring no lumps form. Continue whisking until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4

Season the béchamel mixture with nutmeg, salt, black pepper, and nutritional yeast (if using). Add the cooked mushrooms (or plant-based protein) and stir thoroughly to combine.

Step 5

Transfer the mixture to a shallow dish and allow it to cool completely in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until firm.

Step 6

Once chilled, scoop out small portions of the mixture (approximately 1 tablespoon each) and shape them into small, cylindrical or oval croquetas.

Step 7

In one bowl, whisk together the chickpea flour and water to create a smooth, thick batter. In another bowl, pour the breadcrumbs.

Step 8

Dip each croqueta into the chickpea flour batter, ensuring it's completely coated, and then roll it in the breadcrumbs until thoroughly covered. Repeat for all croquetas.

Step 9

Heat neutral oil in a deep frying pan or pot to 350°F (175°C). Carefully fry the croquetas in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Avoid overcrowding the pan.

Step 10

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried croquetas to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.

Step 11

Serve the croquetas warm as a tapa or snack, with your favorite dairy-free dipping sauce, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1913.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6422.6

Total Fat 539.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 75.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5169.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 348.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 28.6g	0%
Total Sugars 25.0g
Protein 65.6g	0%

Vitamin D 217.5IU	0%
Calcium 1204.0mg	0%
Iron 20.0mg	0%
Potassium 2333.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 74.6%

Protein: 4.0%

Carbs: 21.4%