Vegetarian Spanish Croquetas

Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, Vegetarian Spanish Croquetas are a delightful twist on the classic tapas dish. These golden morsels are filled with a luscious béchamel-based mixture of sautéed spinach, finely diced onion, and nutty manchego cheese, making them irresistibly rich yet perfectly balanced. Coated in crunchy breadcrumbs and fried to perfection, they’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser, whether served as an appetizer, side dish, or party snack. Each croqueta is carefully crafted using simple yet flavorful ingredients like freshly grated nutmeg and minced garlic, adding warmth and depth to every bite. With just a bit of preparation and a few pantry staples, you’ll bring the authentic flavors of Spain to your table. Pair with your favorite dipping sauce for an unforgettable vegetarian tapas experience!

Nutriscore Rating: 51/100

Prep Time:40 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 60 grams Unsalted butter
• 60 grams All-purpose flour
• 500 milliliters Whole milk
• 0.5 teaspoons Nutmeg
• 1 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 1 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 Yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 Garlic clove, minced
• 200 grams Fresh spinach, chopped
• 100 grams Grated manchego cheese (or sharp cheddar for substitution)
• 2 Eggs
• 200 grams Breadcrumbs
• 500 milliliters Vegetable oil (for frying)

Directions

Step 1

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the flour to the melted butter and stir continuously for about 2 minutes to form a roux.

Step 3

Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps, until a smooth béchamel sauce forms. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened.

Step 4

Season the béchamel with nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 5

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Step 6

Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 7

Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.

Step 8

Add the chopped spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Step 9

Mix the sautéed vegetables and grated cheese into the warm béchamel sauce until well combined.

Step 10

Transfer the mixture to a shallow dish, cover with plastic wrap (pressing the wrap directly onto the mixture to prevent a skin from forming), and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm.

Step 11

Once the mixture is firm, shape it into small croqueta cylinders, about 5 cm long and 2 cm thick.

Step 12

Set up a breading station with one bowl of beaten eggs and another bowl of breadcrumbs.

Step 13

Dip each croqueta into the beaten egg, then coat it thoroughly with breadcrumbs. Repeat for all croquetas.

Step 14

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet or saucepan to 175°C (350°F).

Step 15

Fry the croquetas in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan, until golden brown (about 2-3 minutes per batch).

Step 16

Drain the fried croquetas on a plate lined with paper towels.

Step 17

Serve warm as a tapa, appetizer, or side dish with your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1860.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6801.9

Total Fat 635.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 140.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.9g
Cholesterol 656.0mg	0%
Sodium 6730.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 246.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.8g	0%
Total Sugars 44.5g
Protein 97.1g	0%

Vitamin D 330.3IU	0%
Calcium 1760.8mg	0%
Iron 20.3mg	0%
Potassium 2349.9mg	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: 80.6%

Protein: 5.5%

Carbs: 13.9%