Today, Tuesday, January 16, we celebrate the International Croquette Day, a day dedicated to honoring an iconic bite of Spanish gastronomy. It features on almost every menu in bars and restaurants in Spain, reinventing itself each year with new and incredible flavors.
The numbers are impressive: 2 million croquettes are consumed daily in Spain, meaning that with every passing second, 240 croquettes are being enjoyed
However, the croquette has its origins in French cuisine, consisting of a portion of dough made from a dense sauce like béchamel and a minced mixture of various ingredients. It is then coated in egg and breadcrumbs, and deep-fried in abundant oil, giving it a crispy texture and golden color. Generally savory, they have an oval shape and are served hot as an appetizer or side dish, although there are also sweet variations served as desserts.
So, when did the croquette arrive in Spain?
It is believed that the croquette arrived in Spain during the Spanish War of Independence (1808-1814), when many French customs were adopted. There is evidence that in 1812, a fry-up of croquettes was offered to the English troops. In Spain, croquettes are one of the most popular tapas. The country’s most iconic variant is the ham croquette, made with chopped serrano ham.
The secret to why the Spanish croquette is the best in the world lies in its béchamel base, which is possibly its main characteristic and point of difference. The classic croquette is made with a potato base and filled with minced meat, ham, or fish, then fried in breadcrumbs. Varieties include ham, chicken, fish, vegetable, cheese, and among the sweet options, there are sweet potato, rice pudding, and chocolate croquettes.
At Believe, when we plan event logistics, we always consider themed or signature dinners—they are essential for any gastronomy enthusiast and, of course, for events. We have even created tailor-made team-building activities with these unique round bites of infinite flavors. Bet you hadn’t thought of that!
Trust Believe to carry out a gastronomic experience in sublime locations, such as Neotaberna Santerra (Madrid), where the chef from La Mancha, Miguel Carretero, who won the prestigious croquette competition in 2018 and 2024, delights us with the champion croquette and a wonderful recipe that you cannot miss.
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