A croquette is a small, breaded, deep-fried roll made by blending a thick béchamel with a protein (like ham, chicken, cheese, or fish), then coating it in breadcrumbs.

At Catalina, we believe frozen food shouldn’t taste like it was frozen. Our empanadas are made to deliver that fresh-from-the-kitchen flavor — flaky crust, savory filling, and no shortcuts.

Take everything you love about a Cuban sandwich — the ham, the roast pork, the Swiss cheese, the mustard, the pickles — and add one surprising little twist: a croquette.

While Spain introduced the word empanar (“to bread or wrap in dough”), Latin America transformed the concept into dozens of regional icons.

Convenience stores and supermarket hot cases are transforming. Today’s customers expect more than microwaved burritos and heat-lamp pizza. They want bold, satisfying, hand-helds — and they want them fast.

Catalina croquettes are made to be deep-fried. That’s how you get the golden crust, creamy center, and full flavor they’re known for. Air frying might work for other frozen snacks, but it doesn’t do our products justice.