Recipes AirfryerSpanish Chicken Croquetas (Air Fryer)
Authentic Spanish croquetas de pollo — creamy chicken béchamel in a crisp golden shell — made the easy, less-oily way in the air fryer. These are the little bites you'll find in every Spanish bar, now without a pan of hot oil.
They take a bit of patience (the béchamel has to chill), but the result is pure comfort food. Serve them hot as a tapa or appetizer.
Ingredients
Instructions
Soften aromatics
Sauté the onion and garlic in a little oil until soft and golden, then stir in the finely chopped chicken.
Béchamel
Melt the butter, cook the flour 2 minutes, then whisk in the milk gradually until very thick. Fold in the chicken, season with nutmeg, salt and pepper.
Chill & shape
Chill the dough until firm (2+ hours), then roll into small logs and coat in egg and breadcrumbs.
Air fry
Spray with oil and air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway, until deep golden.
- A thicker béchamel makes croquetas that hold their shape.
- Double-coat in breadcrumbs for extra crunch.
- Serve immediately while the inside is molten and creamy.
Frequently asked
What are croquetas?
A Spanish tapa of thick, creamy béchamel (often with ham or chicken) breaded and fried until crisp outside and molten inside.
Can I air fry them from frozen?
Yes — freeze the breaded croquetas and air fry at 400°F for about 14–16 minutes.
How is this different from the other chicken croquettes recipe?
Same tapas classic — this version leans traditional and works perfectly with cooked or leftover chicken.
